Consume the net general FAQ This FAQ deals with general issues related to the consume project. Technical issues are not covered in this FAQ. What is the Consume Project? Like the Internet? Why do this? How are you doing it? Where is Consume based? How much does it cost to join? Is this legal? Is it a real alternative to 'traditional' net access? I cannot get it in my area x, when can I get involved? I want to set-up a node what do I do? What hardware do I need to buy / build, where can I get it? Do I need additional software to connect to consume? Do you offer any technical support, if so, where? How do I find other nodes in my area? I've found a nearby potential peer now what? What is the Pico Peering Agreement? If I connect how do I protect my privacy? How will you deal with abuse? How will you connect consume to the Internet? How much bandwidth will be used of my connect? I'm associated with an ISP why should we participate? How can I contribute to the project? Who are the coordinators? How can I offer financial support (sponsorship)? Why does consume not accept financial support? Where can I find the latest copy of this faq? # What is Consume? Consume is a collaborative strategy for the self provision of a broadband telecommunications infrastructure. # Like the Internet? Its certainly a similar structure with mail, web and multimedia content, but a supplement free from commercial limitations and gaurded interests. The Internet is a communications infrastructure built up in layers of provision and service. Your access to it is generally governed by commercial interests. Internet Service Provider's and giant Telecoms Companies have grown wealthy on the growth in our Internet use. Building fresh structures presents us with the oppertunity to superceed the greed, lets take IT. # Why do this? If, as many are, you feel disenchanted by corporate telecoms and seek an alternative or are unable to connect to or meet the costs of always on connectivity, then you will be excited, as many of us are at the prospect of an open and autonomous approach to networking. We can realise some of the promise of modern communications on a local level at a fraction of the commercial cost by building our own supplements to the Internet. # How are you doing this? By working together to build clusters of interconnecting 'nodes' using widely available networking products and optimising existing local services where possible to re-distribute network access and free the exchange of information further. Traditional wired and wireless techniques are being used to make links and a fresh and open attitude has been adopted toward sharing of information and resources. # Where is CONSUME based? At www.consume.net. From here you will be able to pick up information, identify participants in your local area and discover more about getting involved. It started in the UK where hundreds of interested node builders have made a start and begun talking to each other. Similar initiatives exist through out the world. Everybody everywhere is invited to CONSUME the net! # How much does it cost to join? There are no joining or subscription fees for being a part of CONSUME. You will have to supply your own equipment, build a node and work with those near you to establish a link. Once you are connected, there are no ongoing costs at all! # Is this legal? The government in the UK have championed the CONSUME Strategy and confirmed our instinct to operate as both legal and desirable. Where wireless links are made between participants, guidelines on the limitations of radio power and pollution have been laid out in the licence permitting use of 2.4ghz under certain circumstances. As long as participants are extending their own LAN and do not offer network service 'by way of business' then all will be well. # Is it a real alternative to 'traditional' net access? Don't cancel your ISP account just yet. CONSUME is definitely not a substitute for traditional Internet access via your ISP but on a local level you will find communication and exchange possible from the outset. Someday soon it could well be all the supplement you need. # I cannot get it in my area x so when can I get involved? Right away! Go to the node database and nominate your node. The sooner you make your mark and declare your existence to your neibours the greater the likelyhood you will be joined by them. # I want to set-up a node what do I do? Once you have entered your details into the node database begin contacting those nodes near you. Buy some equipment and install it into your desktop PC or Laptop computer. Visit downloads for a selection of software setups and solutions to for your OS. # What do I need to buy/build, where can I get it? You can use any network capable computer as your start point. Many people are using wireless ethernet equipment to connect to each other but if you can reach your neighbour with wire that's good! Once you reach out into the street or into the next street there are many ranges of equipment available to get the link made some of which are listed here. The typical range for a modest home installation is 1.5 km with direct line of sight. Some antennas enable longer distance connections point to point. The basic unit PCMCIA card will link up to 150m. # Do I need additional software to connect to consume? You will need drivers for your networking interface which are distributed in the pack. Much research is underway to enable trouble free set up an operation. Several routing methodologies to get from point to point currently under consideration eg. Mobile Mesh, OSPF and MobileIP all have useful qualities but none as yet serves every requirement. # Do you offer any technical support, if so, where? If you need some help use the mailinglists. Certain project members are helping people get their nodes up and running and offering ongoing support and advise. With many folk in the same situation you will find the information flows. # How do I find other nodes in my area? Search you local area using the node database. # I've found a nearby potential peer now what? Speak to each other and get things up and running! Each entry in the database will at least have a point of contact nominated. Where several nodes are close by these arrangements are being set up now, again please use the mailing lists. # What is the Pico Peering Agreement? Once you make contact with a nearby node and arrange to exchange data we recommend you formalise it in a simple but formal way. This is a peering agreement, an acknowledgement of the arrangement you have made limiting the nature of exchange, honest, decent and legal. Some key aspects have been defined: To be open enough to encourage as many participants as possible Advocate reciprocal connectivity Protect peers from the actions of others on the network. to protect CONSUME from attack and abuse # If I connect how do I protect my privacy? If you are familiar with privacy issues then you will be aware of PGP and similar techniques that offer comprehensive protection for mail and data transfer. We are also considering a layer of encryption at the node level for all traffic. In the end its up to you to impliment self protection. # How will you deal with abuse? This will suggested in the agreement. Ultimately abusers will be excluded but with an open policy there may be tricky aspects that arise that we will have to adapt to. # How will you connect consume to the Internet? Some people will be sharing their personal connectivity. Where a connection exists at a node a portion of unused connectivity may be allocated to pooled use at a local level. We are inviting commercial Internet transit providers to peer with consume. More on this later. # How much bandwidth will be used of my connect? If you wish you could allow consume members to share your Internet transit connection. You are under no obligation to do so. If you do share your connection you can limit how much of it is used. # I'm associated with an ISP why should we participate? Internet service provision is not the exclusive right of commerce, consume is an approach to self service and community and all are invited to participate. Adopt the CONSUME strategy and serve you customers! # How can I contribute to the project? Join the mailing lists at http://www.consume.net/consume.html#mailing_lists # Who are the coordinators? Good Question ! Peter Galbavy - peter.galbavy@knowledge.com (Oh... Peter?) Routing and network design - developing routers and software installations. Simon Anderson - pranshu@altavista.com (new appointment) Peering and license development - defining relationships and developing the legal framework coordinator required! Resources - node database, knowledge-base, communication and press, network topography, faqs etc. James Stevens - james@spc.org overrun but happy! Rooftop to desktop - the practical issues of construction, installation and optimisation of network nodes, the antennas, cables and CPU's. Adam Laurie - adam@algroup.co.uk stretched but dead into it! Hosting - cvs repositories, mailing lists, website. # How can I offer financial support (sponsorship)? Your interest in CONSUME is best served by setting up a node of your own or sponsoring or assisting the establishment of a node in your area. CONSUME is the Strategy, free from formal organisation and finance. # Why does consume not accept financial support? Julian Priest puts it well; "IMHO allowing consume to be a vehicle for attracting funds of whatever sort clouds the issues immediately and opens us up to all the normal financial straightjackets, compromises and ownership issues that have made the current situation so lame." Organisations can contribute by peering with consume using a Pico Peering Agreement (yet to surface). Consume will happily accept donations of networking equipment by vendors contact james@spc.org # Where can I find the latest copy of this faq? Here...! Last amended 24.06.2001 James Stevens. Author Simon Anderson