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Offline networking: Difference between revisions
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=== Offline WiFi access points === | === Offline WiFi access points === | ||
Due to our habitual relationship with WiFi and connecting to the public Internet, we can often overlook WiFi's applications in 'offline' contexts. A a WiFi access point (AP) does not need the public Internet to provide access to content, if the content is locally accessible to the AP. In such applications, either the WiFi router itself holds the data (perhaps on a USB stick), or the data is served from another device connected directly to the AP. | Due to our habitual relationship with WiFi and connecting to the public Internet, we can often overlook WiFi's applications in 'offline' contexts. A a WiFi access point (AP) does not need the public Internet to provide access to content, if the content is locally accessible to the AP. In such applications, either the WiFi router itself holds the data (perhaps on a USB stick), or the data is served from another device connected directly to the AP. | ||
==== OpenWrt ==== | |||
Some commercial routers provide ability for file sharing across their network using the factory firmware installed on the device. However in the majority of applications, an ''after market'' firmware is used, like OpenWrt<ref>https://openwrt.org</ref>. OpenWrt is an open source project and community dedicated to writing and testing firmware that can be 'flashed' onto scavenged or bought WiFi routers, providing them with new functionality and customisation options. At the time of writing, 2043 wireless access points are supported by OpenWrt to some degree<ref>https://openwrt.org/toh/start</ref>. | Some commercial routers provide ability for file sharing across their network using the factory firmware installed on the device. However in the majority of applications, an ''after market'' firmware is used, like OpenWrt<ref>https://openwrt.org</ref>. OpenWrt is an open source project and community dedicated to writing and testing firmware that can be 'flashed' onto scavenged or bought WiFi routers, providing them with new functionality and customisation options. At the time of writing, 2043 wireless access points are supported by OpenWrt to some degree<ref>https://openwrt.org/toh/start</ref>. | ||
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==== SubNodes ==== | ==== SubNodes ==== | ||
SubNodes, by Berlin-based artist Sarah Grant, employs popular ''Raspberry Pi'' minicomputers as wireless access points, serving a website and chat application <ref>http://subnodes.org/</ref>. Smartphones, for instance, can be used to connect to the access point, from which is served a website, alongside simple chat application. The project provides complete instructions requiring minimal prior knowledge for deploying a 'SubNode'. Such 'SubNodes' could be employed inside weatherproof plastic cases, like tupperware or a plastic lunchbox, powered off solar power bank, and used to provide valuable information without need for the Internet. | SubNodes, by Berlin-based artist Sarah Grant, employs popular ''Raspberry Pi'' minicomputers as wireless access points, serving a website and chat application <ref>http://subnodes.org/</ref>. Smartphones, for instance, can be used to connect to the access point, from which is served a website, alongside simple chat application. The project provides complete instructions requiring minimal prior knowledge for deploying a 'SubNode'. Such 'SubNodes' could be employed inside weatherproof plastic cases, like tupperware or a plastic lunchbox, powered off solar power bank, and used to provide valuable information without need for the Internet. SubNodes can also be used in a mesh networking capacity, connecting to other compatible nodes. | ||
== Linkdump == | == Linkdump == | ||