[MLB-WIRELESS] Minutes 14.06.02

Tue Jul 9 19:49:59 EST 2002

>  > ==============================================
>>
>>  MELBOURNE WIRELESS
>>  Minutes of General Meeting Friday 14 June 2002
>>  Hawthorn Scout Hall.
>>
>>  7:20 Meeting Opened
>>  ---------------
>>  Welcome and run-down on night's agenda by Tyson Clugg
>>  Informal mingle and chat.
>>
>>  8:00 Reports from Working Groups
>>  -------------------------
>>
>>  WGRouting.
>>
>>  Working out how to achieve mesh network.  Looking at available free
>>  software, Zebra seems best, but does not have some desired features.
>>  So WG is debugging and patching
>>  Addressing will depend on results of routing tests.
>>
>>  WGInquiry
>>
>>  Submission tendered to committee some weeks ago, now available from
>  > their website.  Most work put in by Steven Haigh and Jim Pollock.  Hearings
>  > on 2 July in Melbourne, at which SH, Tyson Clugg and Jim Pollock 
>will be appearing.
>  >
>>  WGStructure
>>
>>  To present meeting with vote on incorporation under model rules, and
>>  further explananation, later in the meeting.
>>
>>  WGPropaganda
>>
>>  Logo copetition?
>
>possible logo competition, new designs being tendered.  Perhaps getting some
>T-Shirts with the melbourne wireless logo on them for members to purchase.
>
>>  WGInnerNorth
>>
>>  An informal lunchtime meeting held the next day at Kevin L's house in
>>  Coburg (see their report)
>>
>>  WGFoothills, WGSolar, WGRoaming
>>
>>  No activity
>>
>>  WGNorthernHills
>>
>>  Hi, we exist, no activity to date
>>
>>  WGBuildIt
>>
>>  GlennB has been ill, thus no activity
>>
>  > 8:16 Presentation on Coax and other cable types by Robert 
>Broomhead of Eastern & Mountains District Radio Club.
>
>  > --------------------------------------
>>
>>  A very informative presentation.  Each loss of 3db in cable
>>  represents half your power, so use only the appropriate cable for
>>  2.4gHz.  Normal TV - type coax for example is unsuitable, as it loses
>>  far more power at high frequencies.  As a rule of thumb, double
>>  frequency means double loss.
>>
>>  "Andrews Antenna Book" mentioned as a source book for info, tables on
>>  antenna and cable types.
>>
>>  The type we are looking for is called heliax low loss cable.  Even
>>  LMR-400 loses 2.3db over 10 metres, so keep your runs short where
>>  possible.  Use the proper high frequency connectors - N-connectors -
>>  and bind them with rubber sealing tape (self amalgamating tape) and a
>>  layer of electrical tape over that to prevent moisture attack.
>>
>>  Sources for cable:  Amateur Radio swap meets, "Strictly Ham"
>>  in Bayswater.
>>
>>  Antenna which is not correct dimensions for the frequency can build
>>  up a standing wave, reflecting some of the power back down the cable.
>>  This is a waste of power, and can even in some cases damage the radio
>>  stage of the card.  An SWR (Standing Wave Resonance?) meter can test
>>  this, but they are expensive.  Glenn Brunning mentioned he will be
>>  bringing one to the next meeting.
>>
>>  Short break, resume at 8:55
>>
>>  Incorporation.
>>  ----------
>>
>>  The members of WGStructure presented their findings to the meeting,
>>  summarising the advantages of the Model Rules, incorporation in
>>  general, and the disadvantage of the other structures investigated.
>>
>>  Tyson Clugg moved "That Melbourne Wireless incorporate under the
>>  Model Rules": seconded by Clae Gason.
>>  The motion was passed with no votes against, and one abstention.
>>
>>  Nominations were called for the two ordinary member positions
>>  on committee.
>>  Rowan Wainwright-Smith nominated himself, seconded by Kevin
>>  Littlejohn.
>  > Dwayne Jones-Evans was nominated by Vaskos (Lastname?), seconded by
>>  Robert Tchia, but he chose to withdraw his nomination.
>>  Trystan Guylas was nominated by Will Lanigan, seconded by
>>  Brendan Hyle.
>>
>>  As there were no other nominations, RWS and TG automatically became
>>  the new committee members.
>>
>>  The next committee meeting will be held Thursday 27th July 8:00pm at
>>  the Geebung Polo Club in Hawthorn.
>>
>>  A committee mailing list and Wiki page will be created.
>>
>>  Presentation by Enterasys Networks
>>  --------------------------
>>
>>  Craig Harrison and Chris Evans from Enterasys Networks gave a
>  > presentation on the past, present and future of wireless networking
>>  and the applied standards.
>>
>>  Enterasys began work on wireless in 1990, first products 1992 400kb
>>  per AP @ 915mHz, later 1mb per AP, using FHDS (Frequency Hopping
>  > Direct Sequence)
>  > 1997 - IEEE ratifies 802.11 standard (1 and 2 mb)
>>  1999 - 802.11b (11MB)
>>  2000 - 802.11a (54MB @ 5 (.?) gHz
>>
>>  Security concerns, WEP can be cracked in 15 minutes with freely
>>  available tools.
>>  Interoperability, WiFI, WiFI5 for 11a
>>
>>  802.11g - is an open IEEE spec due to manufacturer disagreements.
>>  Each spec is not interoperable.
>>  OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) is required,
>>  however PBCC for point to point, and CCK+OFDM are optional.  The
>>  latter is supported by only one manufacturer, and is unlikely to
>>  succeed.
>>  11g is back compatible with 11b devices, and uses the same frequency
>>  (at much higher throughput-54mb??)
>>  There is a concern with interference as this band is already getting
>>  crowded with 11b and other devices.
>>
>>  The 5gHz frequencies are in a legal grey area for outdoor use
>>  in Australia.
>>
>>  11a has two different standards, early and late.
>>
>>  Future Products:
>>
>>  Multimode 11a and 11b devices by early 2003
>>  Multimode 11a and 11g devices by late 2003
>>
>>  New standard 11wng will get 108 to 216 mb based in 11a technology, is
>>  aimed at replacing wired networks.  Coming late 2005.
>>
>>  The Diameter user authentication protocol will be superseded by
>>  Radius v2, incorporating Mobile IPv4, IPv6, encapsulated
>>  authentication, and truly mobile rather than back to base. (???)
>>
>>  802.1x is a security implementation, using EAP Extensible
>>  Authorisation Protocol.  RrK (Rapid re-Keying) changes the key every
>>  minute, is secure and scaleable.
>>
>>  WSU is a firmware upgrade for the older enterasys cards - such as the
>>  bulk buy - which is available at their website.
>>
>>  Enterasys have arranged a bulk purchase arrangement with us, for 500
>>  cards in lots of 40 with a 12 month warranty.  Further details from
>>  Steve Haigh.
>>
>>  Other Business
>>  -----------
>>
>>  The offer to manage the Melbourne node database at nodedb.com was
>  > accepted, Robert Tchia to contact evilbunny.  Rowan 
>Wainwright-Smith offered to write a data pipe between
>  > this and our db.
>  >
>>  Meeting Closed.
>>  ----------
>>  --
>>  David Clae Gason
>>  Secretary, Melbourne Wireless
>>  mailto:secretary at wireless.org.au
>>  http://wireless.org.au
>>
>  > i hate anarchists. i think there should be a law against them  -tahl
>>

-- 
David Clae Gason
Secretary, Melbourne Wireless
mailto:secretary at wireless.org.au
http://wireless.org.au

i hate anarchists. i think there should be a law against them  -tahl

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