PANASIA Project File No. 97-8004-03
Commencement date: 17th June 1998
Duration: 1 year
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PANASIA Project File No. 97-8004-03 |
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| Contents > Final report |
Introduction
The objectives as envisaged in this project are as follows:
The activities undertaken during the initial 6 months of this project are as follows:
The plan of action to be adopted during the second half of the project was as follows:
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The process of upgrading the sub-host systems to Linux involved not only software configuration but also appropriate hardware installation and training to the sub-host operators on operating the new system.
The various components that were installed are as follows:
As per the research conducted earlier into wireless radio modems, we contacted Paccomm (USA) for supply of 56 kbps WA4DSY packet radio modems as well as PackeTwin interface cards. We also procured appropriate transverters from Downeast Microwave.
It must be noted that before procuring the transverters/modems the frequencies allotted by local Government for amateur wireless radio use is to be ascertained. Based on this we also had to obtain HAM radio license from the Government for operating the wireless radio.
As per guidelines drawn out before the start of the project, we implemented a test installation of the wireless radio modem network.
The test installation comprised of one server at our Madras office and a node about 60km away.
Both the servers were installed with Linux operating system (and other software components as outlined above).
The PackeTwin card served as a "i/o interface card" for connecting the 56kbps WA4DSY radio modem to the server. The transverter was fixed to the radio modem to enable it to transfer data to the other server.
Practical testing of the installation proved that due to the prevailing weather and terrain conditions, speed of transfers from the 56kbps WA4DSY modem could not exceed 9600bps. Hence it was decided to step down the modem to 9600bps for the installations.
After the completion of the test installation, the wireless modem kits were moved to the 10 sub- hosts short-listed for this project.
Installation and testing at each sub-host node involved the following steps:
Training was provided to the sub-host operators on wireless radio modem operations like maintenance of the radio modem system, operation of commands related to wireless radio technology like AX.25 commands and PackeTwin dmassc commands. Training was also provided on other areas like supporting dial-in users via regular telephone lines, adding content to the local web server using HTML layouts etc. Also the operators were trained on the mail packet transfer to the server using the new medium of transport (wireless radios) and scripts programmed for this purpose.
The final phase of deployment of the wireless network was to train the local users on how to use the new system. The users were provided orientation on how to login to the system using terminal programs as well as on how to use the Pine and Lynx programs on the server to read email and browse the local web.
One of the primary objectives of this project was to research into technologies that could provide information and networking access in remote areas.
Utilizing the wireless radio modem technologies, the above objective has been achieved and a cost-effective means of communication through wireless radio modems has been tested.
Further to this, the infrastructure now available and the wireless networking developed have been used to disseminate information to NGOs working in rural and remote areas on technologies and research papers available worldwide. On a regular basis our sub-host operators are receiving CD-ROMs with information downloaded from various sources and the Internet which they make available for local browsing.
The network also serves as a means of communication for development organizations and individuals in remote areas to communicate with their counterparts worldwide via email.
In addition to offering e-mail access, the sub-host operators have been asked to collect profiles and project outcomes from NGOs, development organizations and researchers in their area. These are being posted on the Internet World Wide Web to enable distribution and utilization of indigenous technologies.
As a part of our expansion program, we have also taken Internet Service Provider license for one of our sub-hosts in Madurai. This network is now successfully functioning as an ISP offering full-fledged Internet services to its users. We hope this will enable us to further refine, promote and expand networking services.
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As per initial guidelines drawn up, the wireless radio modem network is now functional.
Users are dialing in to sub-host operators for sending and receiving e-mail messages as well as to browse content made available on the local web server. The connectivity between sub-host nodes and the server is managed using wireless radio modems and AX.25 packet routing is being utilized to offer TCP/IP access for mail packet transfer.
Terrain limitations have forced us to set the speed of transfer at 9600bps. Efforts are underway to research into technologies that might offer higher speed access for the specific terrain and weather conditions prevalent at the sub-host nodes.
The following sub-hosts have been upgraded to utilizing packet radio wireless networking:
Utilization of packet radio network is working out cheaper for our sub-host operators when compared to the long distance phone calls that were being made earlier for mail packet transfer.
It must be noted that during the course of one year some centers listed above have received Internet access. Subsequently Madurai was upgraded to be an Internet Service Provider by applying for ISP license. Two more nodes, namely Ernakulam and Trivandrum, are also in the process of being upgraded to ISP status.
As a consequence of the above, we are now able to accommodate more regional nodes which can in turn connect to the ISP nodes being established via wireless network rather than rely on the single Internet access point available at our Madras office earlier.
During the course of this project, our sub-host operators were trained on various network operations as also on content collection and formatting for hosting on their local web. The sub- host operators have also been encouraged to develop local resources for acting as Internet Information Providers rather than just providing access.
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The utility of any technology lies in its application. After the successful implementation of the wireless packet radio network, we are now researching appropriate uses for the infrastructure created during the course of this project.
One area where we find electronic networking can be applied is in telecommuting. Consequently, we are now researching into how telecommuting can help bring job opportunities to educated unemployed youth in urban, rural and remote areas. Our future goal is to promote telecommuting and create self-employment for the educated unemployed.
One suggestion received from our sub-host network was to offer wireless radio modems, at nominal cost, to the users themselves hence enabling them to access the sub-host nodes through packet radio rather than use telephone lines. This would allow the users to be online 24 hours via packet radio.
As noted earlier, we are also in the process of establishing new sub-host nodes. As on date 2 additional sub-hosts have been added to the network in addition to the 10 nodes short-listed in this project. Efforts are also on to hook up another 3 more nodes by the end of the year. It may be noted that this is the only non-profit network in the country with as many as 12 functional nodes.
Future options for the network also include procuring ISP status for the sub-host nodes and offering related Internet services.
As noted above the radio modems function only at 9600bps due to the physical limitations like weather conditions and terrain. As an extension to this project, we are exploring the possibilities of higher speed wireless networking. To this effect, we have initiated discussions with few companies in the UK who possess necessary technology in the field of high-speed satellite connectivity for Internet access.
We are also organizing seminars to train NGOs and other users on the importance of networking as also how they can improve their capacity by networking.
We hope that with the expertise and infrastructure generated out of this project, we will soon achieve our vision of promoting global networking among Indian NGOs, research & development organizations, individuals and counterparts worldwide thus facilitating information exchange and sharing of experiences.
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