The objectives of our project as outlined in the project proposal are as follows:

• Provide networking access in remote areas where there is no scope for access to information through electronic communications





• Strengthen the NGOs role as a networker and knowledge-broker





• Facilitate use and exchange of information through electronic communications and access to databases and databanks to enable NGOs and institutions to share knowledge across the world





• Offer e-mail, bulletin board and conferencing services





• Concentrate on networking content for sharing and providing support for regional Internet information hosting in support of distribution and utilization of information arising from research carried out in the region





• Invest in scientific knowledge to help improve the quality of life for equitable and sustainable development





• Work with strategic partnerships, development organizations and institutions worldwide





• Establish electronic networking media to promote activities and programs of interest by maintaining flexibility in order to respond to opportunities





• Promote collaboration in research and development through information access





• Establish Internet Services and act as an Internet Service Provider





• Work in partnership with remote organizations and institutions with relevance to their social development and sustainable development research programs





• Promote original and innovative networking solutions to specific development problems in the region





• Initiate dialog with one or many like minded and diverse groups and individuals with experience in development research, regional problems and networking applications





• Deliberate on ideas and contributions through wide consultation and information dissemination using various means like the Internet, existing networks of individuals, group discussions, etc





• Be receptive to action-oriented solutions to problems in Development Networking applications by utilizing Internet and other innovative existing technologies





• Involve experimentation, pilot studies and other practical networking activities that could create replicable results and have potential for application throughout the region





• Publication and dissemination of practical and accessible project documentation on a regional, national and international level

The plan of action in implementing this project is follows:

1. Research into various types of wireless radio modems available in the market and its suitability for the task at hand.





2. Research into the Network Operating System suitable for connecting up various sub-hosts via wireless radio modems keeping in mind the Operating System's ability to interface with e-mail and Internet applications and also taking into consideration other factors like reliability, software cost, compatibility with wireless radio modems, etc.





3. Upgrading the network server at Madras with the Network Operating System short-listed in previous steps.





4. Procuring additional infrastructure for the network server at Madras like 128kbps ISDN access, more dial-in lines, UPS etc.





5. Review of existing situation at sub-hosts.





6. Upgrading the sub-host system to the Operating System short-listed above.





7. Procuring wireless packet radio equipment.





8. Installation of wireless radio modems on the network server in Madras as well as on the sub-host systems.





9. Testing the wireless network for connectivity.





10. Training the sub-host System Operators on the usage of the Network Operating System as well as orientation on user end procedures.





11. Opening out the wireless radio network for public use.





12. Conducting training programs for NGOs, CBOs and other organizations as well as individuals on the benefits of networking and the use of wireless network for interacting with counterparts worldwide.

Shortly after our project was cleared by IDRC, as per an e-mail received from Ms Maria Ng Lee Hoon from Pan Asia Networking (Singapore), we got in touch with Mr Onno Purno of Indonesia. Mr Purno advised us to check specific Internet sites for information on wireless radio modems.

Subsequent to this, we searched through Internet sites like Yahoo for information on wireless packet radio modems and were able to come up with some sites. Notable sites among those are as follows:

1. Complete Guide to Using and Building Packet Radio Networks
   URL: http://www.packetradio.com



2. Packet radio Gateways home page
   URL: http://www.fuller.net/Gateways/index.html



3. Packet Radio Home Page
   URL: http://www.tapr.org/tapr/html/pkthome.html



4. Packet Radio information
   URL: http://www.stack.net/~victor/hamradio/packet/packet.html

We observed that packet radio modems offered by manufacturers ranged from 1200bps slow speed modems right up to 56kbps high-speed modems.

Among the various wireless radio modem manufacturers we found that Paccomm Packet Radio Systems was preferred by many packet radio enthusiasts worldwide. We visited the Paccomm site on the Internet (http://www.paccomm.com) and found a catalog of many wireless radio modems on offer.

Since we proposed to offer access to databases for our remote users, we decided that we would go in for high speed 56kbps packet radio modems. Paccomm offers a 56kbps packet radio modem called WA4DSY 56kb RF modem which is a modernized version of the 56kb MSK modem designed by Mr. Dale Heatherington, an amateur radio enthusiast.

We visited the 56kbps Packet Radio home page of Mr. Dale Heatherington (http://www.wa4dsy.radio.org/). We then communicated with Mr. Heatherington via E-mail (wa4dsy@www.wa4dsy.radio.org) regarding the suitability of this modem for our purpose in hooking up remote areas.

Mr. Heatherington informed us that the 56kbps modem works fine in stand-alone mode as well as a repeater which would allow us to hook up many sub-hosts serially to the main server in Madras. Mr. Heatherington's web server itself functions on a 56kbps wireless radio modem connected to his ISP via a series of 56kbps packet radio modem repeaters.

We learnt from various reports on the WA4DSY 56kbps modem that this modem does not require a radio transmitter. The WA4DSY modem also features Error Correction Coded (ECC) EPROM which automatically corrects data errors caused by impulse noise before sending the data from the modem to the user interface. This highly increases the reliability of links that have impulse noise.

In addition to the WA4DSY modem we would also need a Transverter which is basically a receive converter and a transmit converter joined by a common local oscillator. It's used to convert a transceiver to a different set of frequencies or band. It will do so being totally transparent to the existing transceiver. The transverter would be connected to each WA4DSY 56KB radio modem that is installed.

It was learnt that Downeast Microwave (http://www.downeastmicrowave.com) manufactures transverters for use with the WA4DSY modems.

After researching into various sources on the WA4DSY web site we came to understand that the 56kbps Packet Radio host station would require the following components:

• WA4DSY 56KB Modem - available from Paccomm
• PackeTwin PC serial card - available from Paccomm
• Transverter - available from Downeast Microwave Inc
• Power supplies

We followed a link from the WA4DSY web site to the PackeTwin driver page http://www.nt.tuwien.ac.at/~kkudielk/Linux from which we learnt that the Linux Operation System version 2.0.34 and above come with built-in support for the PackeTwin PC Serial card which drives the 56KB wireless modem.

We also sent faxes to Paccomm and Downeast microwave and got quotations and availability information for the 56KB WA4DSY packet radio modem as well as for the transverter. It was learnt that Paccomm as well as Downeast could ship the modem and transverter to us within a month of receiving our order.

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As mentioned in the earlier section, the Linux Operating system has built-in support for the 56KB WA4DSY packet radio modem along with the serial card (PackeTwin) which controls this modem.

Our past experience with Linux has been very favorable. We have been running a Linux-based server at Madras for more than a year and offering E-mail services to our users. As such it was noticed that this network server running Linux would have to be upgraded to the latest version (2.0.34) in order to be compatible with the 56KB WA4DSY modem driver software.

Also Linux is one of the popular Network Operating Systems that is being used for many Internet servers worldwide. It comes with support for all standard protocols like WWW, FTP, Telnet, etc and has been adopted by many as an alternative to other expensive Network Operating Systems. Linux, being free software, is ideal for use by a development organization since huge amounts need not be paid as royalty or site license for deploying servers based on Linux.

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Based on the factors outlined in previous sections, the network server at Madras was upgraded to a Pentium 233MHZ machine with 64MB RAM and 4GB hard drive. The latest version of Linux (Linux version 2.0.34) was installed on this server. Additional software like the Apache Web server and wuFTP server were also installed to facilitate storing and dissemination of information for local users as well as those at remote sites.

In addition to software upgrades, we also procured an ISDN 128kbps connection to our ISP in Madras in order to provide for higher bandwidth access that would be brought about by opening out gateway for remote sites to login to the Internet. Appropriate ISDN Terminal Adapter was purchased and connected to the server machine. We also purchased 5KVA UPS equipment and the same was installed to protect and provide un-interruptible power supply to the network server in Madras.

To support the increased number of users, who will log in to the Madras system, we also procured 10 additional telephone lines to be used for dial-in access. These lines were connected to the server machine using multi-port cards (Moxa 8 port serial card) which comes with built-in driver support for Linux OS.

The software to be used by users will be Eudora for email applications along with Internet Explorer for accessing web-sites, ftp, telnet, etc.

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The sub-hosts short-listed per as the project proposal are as follows:

• Madurai
• Erode
• Coimbatore
• Ernakulam
• Trivandrum

These sub-hosts are already running on a DOS platform (in case of only a single dial-in phone line) or on Windows platform (in case of multiple dial-in lines).

Out of the 5 sub-hosts listed above Erode, Ernakulam and Trivandrum are running on a single dial-in phone line with DOS platform whereas Madurai and Coimbatore are running with 3 dial-in phone lines each on Windows platform.

The plan of action for the sub-host systems is to first move them to Linux based platform and also upgrade their infrastructure like server machine, dial-in lines, UPS etc.

It was also proposed to connect 10 more areas into our network during the course of this project. These are:

• Kakinada
• Vishakapatnam
• Tiruppur
• Thanjavur
• Karur
• Salem
• Trichy
• Hyderabad
• Maraimalainagar
• Pondicherry

It may be noted that Delhi, being the capital city of India, is home to many organizations and institutions that can provide valuable inputs to those working in remote areas in other parts of the country. Hence we have provided one of the NGOs based in Delhi with initial infrastructure like 4.1gb hard disk, networking software, UPS and other technical inputs to start an electronic network for NGOs. Presently initial spadework is being done to identify NGOs who may be hooked up to this network to provide technologies to remote areas. We expect the Delhi network to be operational from 1st week of February 1999.

Since the cost of connecting these additional centers does not fall into the purview of the project, the same will be borne by FOOD with co-funding from the sub-host operators.

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It was decided that as a first phase the sub-host systems would be upgraded to support the Linux Operating System. Since the sub-hosts were earlier running on either DOS based or Windows based platform, the sub-host operators are not familiar with Linux operations. Hence we decided to install a system with Linux support along with other facilities like local web browsing and FTP downloads etc for each of the sub-hosts.

Accordingly the Madurai and Erode sub-hosts have been shifted to a Linux based platform.

Sub-host users have been asked to login to the local server (which is not yet connected to the main server via wireless modems) and browse through the information made available on the local web server.

We propose to upgrade the other 3 sub-hosts also to Linux platform by end of January 1999.

At the Madras host system, we are downloading information from various web-sites on the Internet, which is of interest to our users, and then copying these on CDs. These CDs are being sent to the sub-host operators on a weekly basis.

The sub-host operators will then make these CDs available for local browsing. This is being done as a stopgap arrangement till we train the sub-host operators as well as the users and also install the wireless equipment.

We came to understand that IDRC is offering telnet access to many of its databases through the Internet. We contacted Ms Maria Ng Lee Hoon, who put us in touch with the concerned person at IDRC for opening out access to these databases. These databases are now being downloaded and made available to NGOs in remote areas via CDs for their reference work.

We are now in the process of training the sub-host operators in Linux operations as also on how to train and support their local users.

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It has been decided to place orders for the wireless radio modems as well as other necessary equipment in January 1999. We should have the equipment delivered to us by end of January 1999.

Since the sub-host operators are not conversant in Linux as well as wireless operations, it has been decided to give them thorough training on the same before deploying the servers for wireless access. We feel this will enable us to provide our sub-host operators as well as remote users a smoother transition from their existing setup to a wireless setup with access to a vast database of information.

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• Paccomm WA4DSY packet radio modem has been selected for providing wireless connectivity from the sub-hosts to the main server at Madras. Transverters required for the WA4DSY modems will be purchased from Downeast Microwave.



• Quotations were obtained for equipment necessary to connect up wireless packet radio stations.



• Linux Operating system has been installed at the main host server in Madras.



• Other infrastructure like 128kbps ISDN access, more dial-in lines, UPS, etc has been installed.



• The sub-host systems are now being upgraded to the Linux operating system with local browsing facilities.



• Sub-host operators as well as users are being trained on how to use the new system.

To keep pace with the developments relating to the project we have enrolled some more technical personnel. These personnel will be mainly utilized to download and process information from the Internet and make it available on CDs.

We also wish to inform that the Government of India has opened out licensing policy for private Internet Service Providers to operate within India. The policy is a step in the right direction and encourages operators to start offering Internet services throughout India. However we find that the bank guarantee being asked for by the Government is very high (Rs. 2 crores for all-India, Rs. 20 lakhs for metropolitan cities, and Rs. 3 lakhs for other towns). This means that the ISP license is out of reach for most organizations and the few that are able to provide the Government with the bank guarantee are mostly big companies who are concentrating on lucrative business in metropolitan cities.

In order to explore the possibilities of providing Internet Services for NGOs in areas throughout India, we have now taken a license for one of our sub-hosts (Madurai) since the bank guarantee required is lower than that of other areas (Rs. 3 lakhs). We are waiting to complete other formalities like tariff regulations and leased line access from the Government owned Internet backbone provider (VSNL). As an experiment, we hope to establish an Internet server in Madurai and start providing access to users by April 1999.

Even though the Government has opened out an Internet policy, much depends on mobilizing funds for providing bank guarantee and the availability of other infrastructure in remote areas like leased lines, dial-up phone lines, etc.

Based on the experiences in operating an ISP network in Madurai, we propose to upgrade sub- hosts (where there are sufficient number of users) to hook up to the Internet under the Government's ISP policy. We will then connect remote areas to the nearest ISP host system via wireless packet radio modems to provide Internet access to even remote areas. Hence we propose to combine wireless access with the newly announced ISP policy to provide closed group networking facilities for NGOs to interact with their counterparts and partners worldwide. If the Government of India comes out with reduced bank guarantees for NGO networks then this policy will turn out to be very productive for NGO networking in India

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As mentioned in the earlier sections, we have initiated steps to train our sub-host operators on the Linux Operating System as also on wireless networking. In the next 6 months, we hope to procure, install and test the wireless equipment. By June 1999 we expect to have the system online and catering to users in remote areas.

As an extension of this project, we have also taken up license for Internet Services in Madurai. We hope to use this as a test case to see how effective ISP services will be in terms of cost and services provided.

We are also in the process of organizing seminars in Madras as well as in sub-host centers to train NGOs and other users on the importance of networking as also how NGOs can improve their capacity by using the Internet as a source of reference, image-building as well as for fund- raising.

As such it was felt that providing access to the Internet alone does not add any value to the services offered by us. Hence we have organized ourselves to act as Internet Information Providers.

We hope to not only provide access and support to our users to find information available on the Internet but also to host indigenous information on the Web so that others can utilize the information gathered and researched by local organizations.

The progress of this project till date has been satisfactory and we are sure that we will be able to achieve all the goals that are a part of our project within the stipulated timeframe.

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Last updated: 20th June 1999