I originally posted this to AccessPointSig, but I'm putting it here because there's no simple, default WikiWord about a PTP node.

At the last MonthlyMeeting, a discussion took place on the definition of a node. Post-meeting, AdamShand posted a synopsis to the MailingList, which is quoted below:

"A Node:

• has an 802.11b access point
• has a standard ESSID (see below)
• broadcasts their ESSID
• has a DHCP server
• has an internet connection (may be via a connection to another node)

• should run a captive/active portal (ie. NoCatAuth)

• provides open access to the internet (no WEP, no overly restrictive
  • firewall etc)

We briefly touched on the ESSID standardization issue which has gone around the list a few times. We need to make a decision on what the standard we want to adopt is, I think it should be something recognizable as a URL so that people can put it into a browser and find out what it's all about. The options as I see it are:

1. www.personaltelco.net

• pro: facilitates roaming
• pro: is simple
• con: causes problems with dense node population

2. www.personaltelco.net/node111

• pro: doesn't assume that discrete nodes have a common backbone
• pro: allows node specific information in the ESSID
• con: breaks layer 2 roaming unless ESSID set to "Any" (which can cause problems if there are other non-personaltelco nodes around)

3. use 1 for nodes which are part of the "wireless cloud" and 2 for nodes which are logically discrete from the rest of the network

• pro: solves all the problems!
• con: is more complicated
• con: what happens as networks merge (eg. there's a NE "wireless could" and a SE "wireless cloud" that don't meet)

See NodeStandards to provide further input on this topic."

--AndrewWoods

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