Important notice to current users: the IP address scheme previously in use has been changed. The network now uses the 10.252.10.0/24 address range, please update your equipment to suit.
The FTP server is now located at 10.252.10.1. You may need to update your routing tables to reach this.
The changes come after various network address range conflicts, as well as influence from the NZ Wireless Community. The final range has yet to be decided and update news will be posted here accordingly.For more information, please visit the getting connected page, and the list of current IP addresses to ensure you do not cause any conflicts. A DHCP server is still in the pipes; expect this to be operational within about three weeks. The new 802.11g access point is currently in transit, and users will notice a significant performance improvement once this is set up.
The Wither Hills site has been experiencing further delays. I phoned the property manager who explained that the project is being given low priority so we will have to hold out a bit longer.
On the plus side we have two new members and testing of the RouterBOARD on the proposed site has shown excellent results. Real-world performance is up about 4.5x over the existing Marlborough Centre configuration with much better coverage across town.
After much evaluation, some new equipment has been ordered and is due soon. Included in the order is a Mikrotik RouterBOARD 512 and a Ubiquiti SR2 IEEE 802.11b/g mini-PCI card. A new 180degree 18dBi waveguide has just been built and is ready for testing.
What this means is better reception due to the SR2’s impressive receive sensitivity of up to -98dBm, plus support for the well established 802.11g standard allowing clients to connect at up to 54Mbps with compatible equipment.
RouterOS also includes excellent tools for managing bandwidth, quality of service and various other advanced networking features to help further improve performance of the network. Current users have found that low bandwidth applications depending on very low latency (i.e. games and VoIP) perform very badly when other more demanding applications such as FTP are running at the same time. With these new features these problems can hopefully be reduced to make the network perform better for all types of use. Stay tuned!
News on upgrade to Pebble Linux goes here
Good news for all MarlWiFi members! There has been a new door opened with regards to getting a site on the Wither Hills as the Marlborough District Council has recently allocated an area of land specifically for non-profit ISM and low-power FM radio operations.
Unfortunately I cannot publish a map at this stage, however the area is around the base of Cobb Ridge and has potential to provide access as far as Tuamarina and Renwick.
I will attempt to find out more over the coming days, check back soon for the latest news.