I originally posted this to AccessPointSig, but I'm reproducing 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 NodeStandardization to provide further input on this topic."