Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich: Wireless Mesh Networking for Social and Environmental Justice
Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich: The Pioneers of Wireless Mesh Networking
Introduction
Wireless mesh networking is a technology that allows devices to communicate with each other without relying on a central infrastructure or authority. It is a decentralized, self-organizing, and resilient network that can adapt to changing conditions and needs. Wireless mesh networking has many applications and benefits, such as providing internet access to remote areas, supporting disaster relief and emergency response, enhancing social and environmental justice, fostering innovation and creativity, and challenging the dominance of traditional telecom operators.
thomas krag and sebastian buettrich wireless mesh networking Full
But who are the people behind this technology? Who are the pioneers who envisioned, developed, and promoted wireless mesh networking? In this article, we will introduce you to two of them: Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich. They are two Danish engineers who have been involved in wireless mesh networking since the early 2000s. They have contributed to the research, development, deployment, and advocacy of wireless mesh networking in various contexts and regions. They have also inspired and mentored many other people who share their passion for wireless mesh networking.
In this article, we will explore the history, impact, and future of wireless mesh networking through the lens of Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich. We will learn about their background, motivation, achievements, challenges, and vision for wireless mesh networking. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about wireless mesh networking at the end of the article.
The History of Wireless Mesh Networking
What is wireless mesh networking?
Wireless mesh networking is a type of network topology that consists of nodes (devices) that can communicate with each other directly or indirectly through multiple hops (intermediate nodes). Each node acts as a router and a client at the same time, forwarding data packets to other nodes while also receiving data packets from other nodes. This way, wireless mesh networks can form dynamically without requiring a predefined structure or configuration. Wireless mesh networks can also self-heal by rerouting data packets around broken or congested links.
Wireless mesh networks use various wireless technologies to transmit data, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, LoRaWAN, etc. Depending on the technology used, wireless mesh networks can operate in different frequency bands (such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), have different ranges (from tens of meters to tens of kilometers), and have different data rates (from kbps to Mbps). Wireless mesh networks can also interoperate with other types of networks, such as cellular networks or satellite networks.
The origins of wireless mesh networking
Wireless mesh networking is not a new concept. It has its roots in the military and academic research in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the earliest examples of wireless mesh networking was the DARPA Packet Radio Network (PRNET), which was developed by the US Department of Defense to provide mobile and robust communication for military units. Another example was the Distributed Sensor Networks (DSN) project, which was funded by the US National Science Foundation to study the feasibility of using wireless sensors to monitor physical phenomena.
However, wireless mesh networking did not gain much attention or popularity until the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the commercial availability of low-cost and high-performance wireless devices, such as laptops, PDAs, and smartphones, increased the demand and potential for wireless connectivity. Moreover, the emergence of the open source movement and the hacker culture encouraged people to experiment with wireless technologies and create their own networks. This led to the birth of various grassroots initiatives and communities that aimed to build wireless mesh networks for various purposes, such as providing free or low-cost internet access, creating social networks, supporting activism and art, etc.
The role of Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich in wireless mesh networking
Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich are two of the pioneers who have been involved in wireless mesh networking since the early 2000s. They met each other at a workshop on wireless networking in Copenhagen in 2001, where they realized that they shared a common interest and vision for wireless mesh networking. They decided to collaborate and form a consultancy company called wire.less.dk, which specialized in wireless mesh networking research, development, deployment, and advocacy.
One of their first projects was to create a wireless mesh network for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva in 2003, which was a major international event that aimed to address the digital divide and promote the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development. Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich designed and installed a wireless mesh network that covered the entire summit venue, providing internet access to thousands of participants and visitors. They also demonstrated the potential and benefits of wireless mesh networking for developing regions and marginalized communities.
Another project that Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich worked on was to develop a wireless mesh network for the Tactical Technology Collective, which is a non-profit organization that supports activists and human rights defenders with digital tools and strategies. Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich helped to design and deploy a wireless mesh network that enabled secure and anonymous communication for activists in various countries, such as Zimbabwe, Lebanon, India, etc. They also trained activists on how to use and maintain the wireless mesh network.
Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich have also contributed to the research, education, and dissemination of wireless mesh networking through various publications, workshops, conferences, and courses. They have written several papers and articles on wireless mesh networking, such as "Wireless Mesh Networking", "Wireless Networking in the Developing World", "Wireless Commons: A New Paradigm for Wireless Networking", etc. They have also organized and participated in many workshops and conferences on wireless mesh networking, such as Wireless Mesh Workshop, Wireless Community Weekend, Wireless Utopia, etc. They have also taught courses on wireless mesh networking at various universities and institutions, such as IT University of Copenhagen, ITU Regional Office for Asia-Pacific, UNESCO IFAP Capacity Building Programme, etc.
The Impact of Wireless Mesh Networking
How wireless mesh networking benefits communities and society
Wireless mesh networking has many benefits for communities and society. Some of them are:
can also use unlicensed spectrum or unused TV channels, avoiding the need for expensive licenses or fees.
It supports disaster relief and emergency response by providing resilient and flexible communication in situations where traditional telecom infrastructure is damaged or overloaded. Wireless mesh networks can self-organize and self-heal, adapting to changing conditions and needs. Wireless mesh networks can also integrate with other communication technologies, such as satellite phones or ham radios, to provide backup or alternative communication channels.
It enhances social and environmental justice by empowering marginalized communities and groups to access information, express their voices, and participate in decision-making. Wireless mesh networks can enable community-owned and community-managed networks that reflect the needs and values of the local people. Wireless mesh networks can also support social movements and campaigns that aim to raise awareness, mobilize action, and advocate for change.
How wireless mesh networking enables innovation and creativity
Wireless mesh networking also enables innovation and creativity in various domains and fields. Some of them are:
It fosters technological innovation by encouraging experimentation and exploration with wireless technologies and protocols. Wireless mesh networks can provide a platform for testing and developing new ideas and solutions for wireless communication, such as routing algorithms, security mechanisms, quality of service schemes, etc. Wireless mesh networks can also inspire new applications and services that leverage the features and capabilities of wireless mesh networks, such as peer-to-peer sharing, distributed computing, collaborative learning, etc.
It stimulates artistic and cultural creativity by providing a medium for expression and interaction with wireless technologies and networks. Wireless mesh networks can enable artistic and cultural projects that use wireless devices and signals as materials, tools, or instruments, such as sound installations, interactive performances, digital graffiti, etc. Wireless mesh networks can also create new forms of social and spatial experiences that challenge the conventional boundaries and norms of wireless communication, such as flash mobs, location-based games, urban interventions, etc.
It promotes educational and scientific creativity by providing a resource for learning and research with wireless technologies and networks. Wireless mesh networks can offer a hands-on and experiential approach to learning and teaching about wireless communication, network engineering, computer science, etc. Wireless mesh networks can also support scientific research and data collection that require wireless connectivity and collaboration, such as environmental monitoring, wildlife tracking, crowd sensing, etc.
How wireless mesh networking challenges the status quo and empowers people
Wireless mesh networking also challenges the status quo and empowers people in various ways. Some of them are:
It challenges the dominance of traditional telecom operators by providing an alternative or complementary mode of wireless communication that is more affordable, accessible, and democratic. Wireless mesh networks can reduce the dependency on centralized and monopolistic telecom providers that often charge high prices, impose strict regulations, or censor content. Wireless mesh networks can also increase the competition and diversity in the wireless market, creating more choices and opportunities for consumers and producers.
It challenges the surveillance and control of governments and corporations by providing a more secure and anonymous mode of wireless communication that is more resistant to interception, manipulation, or disruption. Wireless mesh networks can protect the privacy and security of users by encrypting data packets, anonymizing data flows, or hiding data sources or destinations. Wireless mesh networks can also resist the interference or sabotage of adversaries by rerouting data packets around blocked or compromised links.
It empowers people to become active participants and contributors in wireless communication rather than passive consumers or users. Wireless mesh networks can enable people to create their own networks that suit their needs and preferences rather than accepting the predefined networks that are offered by others. Wireless mesh networks can also enable people to share their resources and knowledge with others rather than hoarding them for themselves.
The Future of Wireless Mesh Networking
The current trends and developments in wireless mesh networking
, etc. These regions and communities can benefit from wireless mesh networking by providing more inclusive, equitable, and participatory opportunities for accessing information, expressing voices, and engaging in decision-making.
The potential and limitations of wireless mesh networking
Wireless mesh networking has a lot of potential to transform wireless communication and society in positive ways. However, it also has some limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and overcome. Some of them are:
The technical limitations and challenges of wireless mesh networking, such as bandwidth constraints, interference issues, security risks, etc. These limitations and challenges can affect the quality and reliability of wireless mesh networks, especially when they scale up or operate in complex environments. Wireless mesh networks need to adopt and implement effective and efficient techniques and protocols to optimize their performance and functionality.
The social and political limitations and challenges of wireless mesh networking, such as regulatory barriers, legal disputes, ethical dilemmas, etc. These limitations and challenges can affect the feasibility and sustainability of wireless mesh networks, especially when they operate in contested or hostile contexts. Wireless mesh networks need to comply and negotiate with the existing laws and norms that govern wireless communication, as well as address the potential impacts and implications of their actions and activities.
The human and organizational limitations and challenges of wireless mesh networking, such as skills gaps, knowledge gaps, motivation gaps, etc. These limitations and challenges can affect the participation and contribution of people and organizations in wireless mesh networks, especially when they lack the necessary resources or incentives to do so. Wireless mesh networks need to foster and facilitate the capacity building, knowledge sharing, and community building of their stakeholders and users.
The vision and advice of Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich for wireless mesh networking
Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich have a vision for wireless mesh networking that is based on their values and principles. They believe that wireless mesh networking should be:
, and innovation.
Free: Wireless mesh networks should use free spectrum, free software, free hardware, etc. to ensure affordability, accessibility, and autonomy.
Commons: Wireless mesh networks should use commons-based models, such as peer production, peer governance, peer ownership, etc. to ensure collaboration, participation, and empowerment.
Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich also have some advice for people who are interested or involved in wireless mesh networking. They suggest that people should:
Learn: Wireless mesh networks require a lot of technical and non-technical knowledge and skills. People should learn as much as they can about wireless mesh networking, from the basics to the advanced topics, from the theory to the practice, from the technical to the social aspects.
Experiment: Wireless mesh networks offer a lot of opportunities and possibilities for experimentation and exploration. People should experiment with different wireless technologies and protocols, different network topologies and architectures, different applications and services, etc.
Share: Wireless mesh networks rely on a lot of resources and knowledge sharing among their stakeholders and users. People should share their devices and bandwidth, their ideas and solutions, their experiences and lessons learned, etc.
Connect: Wireless mesh networks enable a lot of communication and interaction among their stakeholders and users. People should connect with other people who are interested or involved in wireless mesh networking, from their local community to the global community, from their peers to their mentors.
Conclusion
In this article, we have introduced you to Thomas Krag and Sebastian Buettrich, two of the pioneers of wireless mesh networking. We have explored the history, impact, and future of wireless mesh networking through their lens. We have learned about their background, motivation, achievements, challenges, and vision for wireless mesh networking. We have also answered some frequently asked questions about wireless mesh networking at the end of the article.
We hope that this article has inspired you to learn more about wireless mesh networking and maybe even try it yourself. Wireless mesh networking is a technology that has a lot of potential to transform wireless communication and society in positive ways. However, it also has some limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and overcome. Wireless mesh networking is not a magic bullet or a silver bullet. It is a tool that can be used for good or evil, depending on how we use it.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about wireless mesh networking:
What are some examples of wireless mesh networks in the real world?
Some examples of wireless mesh networks in the real world are:
Guifi.net: A community-owned and community-managed wireless mesh network that covers more than 60,000 km2 in Catalonia, Spain, and provides internet access to more than 100,000 users.
Freifunk: A grassroots initiative and movement that aims to create free and open wireless networks in Germany and other countries, using wireless mesh networking and open source software.
NYC Mesh: A community-owned and community-operated wireless mesh network that covers parts of New York City, USA, and provides internet access to more than 600 users.
Zenzeleni Networks: A social enterprise and cooperative that creates and operates wireless mesh networks in rural areas of South Africa, providing affordable and sustainable internet access to local communities.
Redes AC: A non-profit organization that supports indigenous communities in Mexico to create and manage their own wireless mesh networks, using low-cost and low-power devices and solar energy.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of wireless mesh networking?
Some advantages of wireless mesh networking are:
It is more resilient and flexible than traditional telecom infrastructure, as it can self-organize and self-heal, adapting to changing conditions and needs.
It is more affordable and accessible than traditional telecom infrastructure, as it can use low-cost and low-power devices that can operate on solar or battery power, and use unlicensed spectrum or unused TV channels.
It is more democratic and participatory than traditional telecom infrastructure, as it can enable community-owned and community-managed networks that reflect the needs and values of the local people.
Some disadvantages of wireless mesh networking are:
It is more constrained and challenged by technical issues, s