Online Registration for Mesh Admin Account

You can now register for a mesh admin account online, so no more emails asking for a login account. REGISTER HERE

Please be aware that this is still alpha test code, so before you try anything to adventurous do please check with kblink via the contact form.

Enhancements to Admin Interface

There has been many useful improvements to the Wireless Network Administration Engine

This administration engine has been designed to simplify the deployment of multiple wireless devices which are being setup to work in harmony. Be it a site-wide wireless infrastructure or a community wireless network, this web based engine should greatly simplify the job of Network Administration.

Migration to new firmware called DD-WRT

Kingsbridge Link is now using the latest firmware from DD-WRT. This firmware takes the default Linksys firmware and adds enhancements. Like a read-write partition, improved Quality-of-Service and many modifications which make it more suitable for long range external links.

Thanks go to BrainSlayer over at dd-wrt for all his hard work.

There is support for v1.1 v2 v3 v4 WRT54G and WRT54GS units, and the new WRT54GL is also fully supported. BTW: The WRT54Gv5 does not run Linux and thus is incompatible with all firmware mods.

Multi-hop LAN bridge

Here at Kingsbridge Link we have developed a system for bridging remote LANs via a multi-hop wireless infrastructure. So even if you have a hillside between 2 LANs you can create a mesh of multiple wireless links, then tunnel the LAN bridge over this mesh network.

Weatherproof Wireless Mesh Unit

A lot of effort has gone into creating a weatherproofing mesh solution for the Linksys WRT54G, and we are pleased to announce that work is nearly complete. Arrangements are being made for the unit fabrication and I will post pictures of the finished design as soon as the artwork for the case has been finalised.

Feature List
# Die-cast aluminium case, for efficient heat dissipation
# Power over Ethernet system, to simplify the wiring
# Weatherproof PoE connector
# External earth connector, to ground unit if need be
# Includes pigtails for 1,2 or 4 antennas with external N-type sockets
# Space for 1 or 2 Linksys WRT54G units
# A unit mounting system will also be available

At this stage if anyone is interested, please do get in touch.

Pictures and prices will be available soon. Checkout our prototype units here

3Mbps over 8.5km + OSPF routing

More testing has been going on and i'm pleased to announce that over 8.5km we succeeded in getting 3Mbps of raw data throughput.

This setup also included a second wireless link to test the latest advance in dynamic routing systems. Zebra OSPF routing provides a simple and reliable way to get network traffic to route across multi wireless links.

OSPF is currently not available in any standard 802.11b/g hardware, but thanks to the team at Sveasoft and Linksys this has all become possible at a very affordable price. With the enhanced firmware, the wrt can be used in different setups to be a router, a bridge or even a client connection. Plus the latest WPA pre shared key encryption and you have a safer network. Much work has also gone into the Quality-of-Service code to intelligently prioritise traffic and create a smooth service for all.

Affordable Wireless Mesh Solutions

Work is under way to finalise designs for a robust remote community wireless mesh solutions. The two primary goals have been: reliability and affordability. Thankfully there is a new embedded PC on the market which has cut the costs of the electronics by 75%. The whole system is now small enough to be enclosed in a waterproof case, allowing for greater flexibility when choosing antenna positions.

Long Range Test a Success

An 8.5km link has been tested and worked at a good broadband speed of 2.2Mbps, faster and further than any ADSL service available to date. The Trial also included a second hop of 2km to test out a new form of multi hop routing.

Do you need help?

If you or your business is struggling with network infrastructure troubles, then help is at hand.

One of the Kingsbridge Link Members is available for consultancy across the Westcountry. He is proficient in both wireless and fixed networking technologies. Providing you with a clear picture of what can be achieved within your budget.

Further information available on requested, via the contact form.

Long Range Mesh Test

Plans are being discussed for a long range test down the estuary to Salcombe.

This is the next important test for the MeshAP system. Trying to link hot-spots together with a high gain antenna and a second wi-fi device has many advantages, . Your subscribers can access the mesh node via a sector antenna connected to the first wi-fi device.

So far tests have shown that a normal 8dB to 10dB Omni Antenna can manage about 400 metres @ 2Mbps.

Working Together

Community Wireless is a website put in place to help coordinate the work that each local community network is trying to under take.

The future of the mesh technology looks promising with the UK group Consume.Net interested in using the MeshAP.

This site is trying to gather information about anyone in the South Hams who wish they had better Internet Access.

Please find a minute to fill in this form and lets get Broadband into Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge Mesh the first of its kind

Kingsbridge Link is the first full scale test of the LocustWorld MeshAP.

With 5 Nodes around town already. Real world testing of the Multi Hop capability are going well. Using a mixture of MeshAP units and old Pentium PC's to save money and put life back into ageing computers.

For £250, the MeshAP is just what groups working on a shoe string require. Kit costing £1500 a unit might have a big name branding and come in glitzy packaging, but it could be superseded by a new wireless standard tomorrow. The PCI slot in the MeshAP allows any consumer wireless device to be used. Currently that means 802.11b cards, but the future holds 802.11g and 802.11h bothing working at 54 Mbps.

With Linux at the heart of the system, any device driver available to the open source community can be added into the MeshAP build.

Guardian Journalist, has visited Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge Link is to feature in an article for the "Jobs and Money" section of the Guardian, which comes out on Saturday the 8th February.

Access Control is on the way

Current developement time is going towards adding Access Control and Authentication to the next release of the MeshAP.

This should allow the kind of control that each application of the technology will require. Be that a hotel offering music on demand. or a community network providing time shared internet access. The posibilities are endless.

Thanks to Harbour House

On Friday Harbour House kindly helped with the mesh demonstration. An Omni 8dB was position in a first floor window of the building, increasing the mesh coverage in the quay area.

This provided a reliable signal across the quay in Creeks End, where the demonstration took place.

Photo Gallery now On-Line

Check out thenew image gallery. It might help you to visualise what has been going on in sleepy Kingsbridge.

The Mesh Is Growing

A new test antenna has gone up at Kingsbridge Dental Laboratory.

This is just a temporary repeater node to help bridge from union road to the quay area while the mesh is thoroughly tested.

New Web Site is up and Running

After many months of planning, the new website if finally online. Is has all come about mainly as a consequence of the bad weather we have had recently!

Sorry that it still lacks any real content, I hope to spend more time on it soon.