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Re: [PLUG] Public Service Announcement (Really)
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----- Original Message -----
From: john@essenz.com
> As for the changes. Believe it or not, the majority of issues with the
> network were not wifi/signal related, rather they were issues with how
> traffic was backhualed to the POP and then routed to the internet.
> This is what we are fixing at the moment at each tower location.
----------------------------
Yes I can definitely see that. I would run an MTR and see terrible congestion on Earthlink's network. They had that problem long before they ever even thought about wireless. The first couple of wireless hops always went quickly, under 10ms.
My advice don't waist your time with 802.11b. Stick with just 802.11g support and later. People are going to have spend a little money as far as I'm concerned to use the service anyway. I was looking at some of the quotes on the website like "The internet is a path out of poverty". If this true, and the internet is not just a path to free pr0n then wouldn't you make internet access a priority in your life. $20/month for pay to play services like xDSL and cellular don't seem like a real hardship to me. I mean it's less than a dollar a day for access to virtually the sum of humankind's knowledge; a bargain as far as I'm concerned.
****Slight diversion****
Working with Open-WRT and UBNT Router Station. Fun stuff, it gives me something to use the Atheros 5212 mini-pci radios I pulled out of the PepLink Surfs I have lying around. Very cool, potential for channel bonding, 3 radios means that with the addition of an 802.11n radio I could have a dedicated radio for 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. Therefore no performance hit for users connecting via 802.11b.
--------------------------------------------------
Brian Vagnoni
PGP Digital Fingerprint
F076 6EEE 06E5 BEEF EBBD BD36 F29E 850D FC32 3955
--------------------------------------------------
To:
plug@lists.phillylinux.org, bvagnoni@v-system.net
Sent: Mon, 16 Feb
2009 10:39:37 -0500
Subject: Re: [PLUG] Public Service Announcement
(Really)
> I represent a vendor doing the majority of upgrades and support work.
>
> Its been made public on other sites, but the entire Earthlink network
> infrastructure was sold from Earthlink to a company called Network
> Acquisition Co. LLC (NAC). NAC made a commitment to the City of
> Philadelphia that the revamped network would always have a level of
> access
> available at no cost. This may involve users viewing ads, but that has
> not
> been implemented. NAC was formed by a group of local investors.
>
> For example, last week, at areas around Italian market, you would have
>
> only see 300Kbps with 200ms latency under the old tower setup for that
>
> region. With the new tower setup, you will see anywhere from 1.2Mbps
> to
> 4.6Mbps, with a latency of only 30ms.
>
> Getting the signal into residences, is a different battle that will be
>
> fought another day.
>
> So yeah, Earthlink really screwed things up, made alot of mistakes,
> and
> did a terrible job of network design. But they did get alot of units
> installed, so we're picking up the pieces trying to fix where they
> went
> wrong.
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------
> From : Brian Vagnoni <bvagnoni@v-system.net>
> To : john@essenz.com, Philadelphia Linux User's Group Discussion List
> <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
> Subject : Re: [PLUG] Public Service Announcement (Really)
> Date : Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:36:00 -0500
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: john@essenz.com
> >
> > > The SSID should pop up as WirelessPhiladelphia
> > >
> > > Two things that will hurt signal. One is bad luck, your block
> might
> > > just have a bad signal because the nearest node is down. Two is
> your
> > > adapter. The low power PC cards and internal laptop chips are very
>
> poor at
> > > picking up signal inside. A USB high power device with external
> antenna is
> > > ideal.
> >
> > ----------------------------
> >
> > Hi John;
> >
> > Do you work with Philadelphia Wireless? I don't mean to be a skeptic
> but
> I got really burned by Earthlink & Philadelphia Wireless. Specifically
>
> Philadelphia Wireless.
> >
> > When you say the towers are being upgraded, what exactly do you
> mean?
> Upgraded with what technology speaking? How is this system different
> than
> Earthlink?
> >
> > Unless radio physics have changed I just don't see this working any
> better than when Earthlink tried to do it.
> >
> > Most pro-wireless gear has 2 ratings; inside distance and outside
> distance. Building penetration is a real issue for 2.4GHz. LOS at
> street
> level is a real problem in any city for wireless signals. Not to
> mention
> that allot of structures are metal and grounded to the earth.
> >
> > Also, supplying service for both 802.11b and 802.11g access will
> only
> hurt the 802.11g radio folks. Unless you have multiple separate radios
> the
> minute an 802.11b user connects that user slows everyone down.
> >
> > Yes there are some USB dongles that support up to 500mw. I own one
> it's
> called an Alfa AWUS036H but they are in the minority. Most PC-Card are
>
> 100mw, though I also own a UBNT 300mw PC-Card. Many don't support
> external
> antennas. Your average Linksys WAP54G supports 70mw. The Philadelphia
> Wireless supplied PepLink used a 200mw Atheros 5212 radio with a
> non-diversity 9dbi external antenna. These weren't enough to make a
> good
> stable Cisco recommended 35db SNR connection even when sitting below
> the
> street mounted AP. But I admit I've tested speeds anywhere from below
> dialup to 3mb x 3mb.
> >
> > Considering the price of xDSL continues to fall as well as cellular
> with
> it's double and triple redundant networks I just don't see the point.
> You
> end having to purchase gear up front with the free WIFI deal and may
> or
> may not have it work. Right now we are getting Sprint EDVO modems
> free,
> and $20/month internet deals.
> >
> > As much as I like the idea of a free city wide network it has to
> work.
> It has to be as simple and reliable as plugging in your average
> household
> lamp for everyone or it's not going to work.
> >
> > Free citywide internet is the right idea, free citywide Wi-Fi
> supplied
> internet is the wrong technology for the right idea.
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > Brian Vagnoni
> > PGP Digital Fingerprint
> > F076 6EEE 06E5 BEEF EBBD BD36 F29E 850D FC32 3955
> > --------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
> > To:
> > plug@lists.phillylinux.org
> > Sent: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:38:25
> > -0500
> > Subject: Re: [PLUG] Public Service Announcement (Really)
> >
> >
> > > Closer to Lombard St signals start going to another tower (not yet
>
> > > converted). But places like 12th and Christian, 10th and
> Carpenter,
> > > Broad
> > > and Washington - have great access.
> > >
> >
> > >
> > > In time, bad nodes will be replaced, which will further improve
> signal
> > >
> > > coverage.
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------
> > > From : Michael Leone <turgon@mike-leone.com>
> > > To : john@essenz.com, Philadelphia Linux User's Group Discussion
> List
> > > <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
> > > Subject : Re: [PLUG] Public Service Announcement (Really)
> > > Date : Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:51:10 -0500
> > > > On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 10:51 PM, <john@essenz.com> wrote:
> > > > > I think this is relavent to those who live in Philly.
> > > > >
> > > > > The Philadelphia Public Wifi network (no longer associated
> with
> > > Earthlink)
> > > > > is being worked on with regards to better performance.
> > > > >
> > > > > The first of many towers has been modified for better routing
> and
> > > internet
> > > > > responsiveness. I cant disclose the location of the tower, but
> I
> > > can
> > > > > indicate the neighborhoods that it serves:
> > > > >
> > > > > This is approximate:
> > > > >
> > > > > Lombard St SOUTH to Oregon Ave
> > > > > 19th St EAST to the Delaware River
> > > >
> > > > I don't see it, although I will admit to being about 1/2 block
> west
> > > of
> > > > the coverage area, at the middle of the north-south coverage
> area.
> > > > What is the name of the network?
> > >
> > >
> ___________________________________________________________________________
>
> > > Philadelphia Linux Users Group --
> > > http://www.phillylinux.org
> > > Announcements -
> > > http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
> > > General Discussion --
> > > http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
> > >
>
> ___________________________________________________________________________
> Philadelphia Linux Users Group --
> http://www.phillylinux.org
> Announcements -
> http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
> General Discussion --
> http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
>
___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
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