Wiki
Portal
Contact Us
Connect

SOWN(at)HOME Node

From SOWNWiki

(Redirected from HomeNode)
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SOWN[at]HOME node?

A SOWN[at]HOME node is a Meraki Mini flashed with OpenWRT Kamikaze v7.09 and SOWN's very own bespoke firmware. These units are distributed to those living around the city and use the internet connection they are connected to to expand the SOWN wireless coverage.

How do I get a SOWN[at]HOME node?

You can make a request for a SOWN[at]HOME node by going to our node request page. To qualify to host a node you must live within Southampton (nearer the university the better) and be a student (who does not live in halls of residence) or staff member at the University of Southampton.

How does a SOWN[at]HOME node work? (Simple answer)

A SOWN[at]HOME node must be plugged into an ethernet port on your home network. Once switched on the node will connect back to the SOWN network using a tunnel through your ADSL connection. This will then allow any SOWN user to connect to the SOWN network through the tunnel. It will also allow users to connect directly to Internet directly through your ADSL router.

How does a SOWN[at]HOME node work? (Supplementary)

  • The node requires access to the internet via an "always on" ADSL connection.
  • The node requires an ethernet connection to your network via a switch/hub/router port.
  • The node requires the following OUTGOING ports open. 
 80: http
 443: https
 5000-5110 Inclusive: The Tunnel to SOWN (it will only use one of these but each node is on a different one)

In a normal ADSL configuration all outgoing ports will be allowed but incoming ports will be blocked to stop people accessing computers on your network. SOWN requires no incoming ports.

  • The node gives out SOWN IP addresses. 
 Providing your home network is not 10.13.0.0/16 this will work.
  • The node blocks access to your internal network.
  • Yes you can put it on it's own VLAN.
  • If you have a DMZ I would recommend putting it there, but you don't need to specifically set one up as the node does this.

How much bandwidth will the SOWN[at]HOME node use?

Each SOWN[at]HOME node has a program script that the restricts the amount of bandwidth the node can use. This is generally set up about a quarter of the total ADSL connection bandwidth but can be reduced if necessary.

How much are the monthly downloads of the SOWN[at]HOME node going to be?

This will depend on your location but probably no more than a couple of gigabytes a month. If anyone is using you connection excessively SOWN can taken action to restrict their use.

I have connected my node how can I check it is working correctly?

Firstly Connect to your SOWN[at]HOME node wirelessly. It will have the SSID: [SOWN]-HOME. Once connected load up a web browser and load up a web page (e.g http://www.google.co.uk). If this page loads up or redirects to a page that gives you a SOWN login screen your node is functioning correctly.

When I try to connect to a node I get the error message: "Limited or no connectivity", What should I do?

If this is your own SOWN[at]HOME node, switch it off for 5 seconds and turn it back on. The node may take up-to a minute to start-up completely. If this does not seem to solve the problem contact SOWN at sown[ at ]soton.ac.uk or use the Contact Us page.

If this is not your node please email SOWN at sown[ at ]soton.ac.uk (or Contact Us page) at your next possible convenience and we will try and resolve the problem. If possible please tell us the MAC address of the SOWN[at]HOME node your were trying to connect to. Otherwise could you tell us the rough location you were in.

Deployments of SOWN[at]HOME nodes

Name Start Date End Date Percentage Uptime Users Connections
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node252/2007-12-11 Drummond Arms (#252) 119738697811 December 2007 15:29 88.4788.47 % 9898 1286712,867
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node250/2007-09-14 University Road (#250) 118976777614 September 2007 12:02 20.2620.26 % 4444 37633,763
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node263/2008-08-21 Shakespeare Ave North (#263) 121931837821 August 2008 12:32 59.6759.67 % 2626 598598
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node269/2007-11-28 Gordon Avenue (#269) 119625751028 November 2007 13:45 121078061014 May 2008 16:56 57.1257.12 % 2222 23452,345
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node256/2008-10-14 Broadlands Road West (#256) 122399600614 October 2008 15:53 99.199.1 % 1818 948948
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node253/2008-07-07 Shakespeare Ave South (#253) 12154456957 July 2008 16:48 95.3495.34 % 1717 683683
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node256/2007-10-18 Harefield Road (#256) 119274110718 October 2007 21:58 12209091408 September 2008 22:25 43.3543.35 % 1515 741741
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node254/2007-10-25 Shakespeare Avenue (#254) 119331215825 October 2007 12:35 12154492367 July 2008 17:47 80.1280.12 % 1414 855855
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node263/2007-12-03 Forster Road (#263) 11966818963 December 2007 11:38 121931837821 August 2008 12:32 53.7453.74 % 1111 14551,455
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node281/2008-02-08 Albany Park Court (#281) 12025008398 February 2008 20:00 97.2397.23 % 1111 324324
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node258/2008-09-09 Demo Room (#258) 12209683229 September 2008 14:52 12228692151 October 2008 14:53 86.2986.29 % 99 7575
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node277/2007-11-28 Highfield Crescent (#277) 119625784728 November 2007 13:50 121139304421 May 2008 19:04 68.7768.77 % 99 312312
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node272/2008-01-18 Harrison Road (#272) 120065687718 January 2008 11:47 12209091408 September 2008 22:25 65.9865.98 % 99 15401,540
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node266/2008-02-06 Mayfield Road (#266) 12023184226 February 2008 17:20 12209091408 September 2008 22:25 33.3833.38 % 77 579579
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node265/2008-02-14 Glen Eyre Road (#265) 120302950914 February 2008 22:51 92.8992.89 % 55 132132
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node258/2008-02-08 Burgess Road West (#258) 12025010808 February 2008 20:04 121138953921 May 2008 18:05 24.4524.45 % 22 88
SOWN(at)HOME Node/Node253/2008-03-14 Grouville, Jersey (#253) 120551498614 March 2008 17:16 121179856426 May 2008 11:42 22.1722.17 % 11 149149
Retrieved from "http://www.sown.org.uk/wiki/index.php/SOWN%28at%29HOME_Node"