CUWiN's blog

Worldchanging.com ran a story on CUWiN over the weekend.

Also, WiLAC.net ("a new information portal about Wireless technologies for Development designed to support those individuals, organizations, municipalities and businesses which are currently implementing community wireless connectivity projects, or those just about to start.") has an article on CUWiN for its Spanish-reading audience.

We've revamped the CUWiN manual, finally bringing it in line with the rest of the site.

You can print the entire manual in booklet form by clicking the "printer-friendly version" link at the bottom of its main page.

You'll also notice that each page of the manual can also be commented on; we're hoping to get your feedback on what should/shouldn't be included in the manual.

So head on over to the CUWiN manual and let us know what you'd like to see in there!

We've just released CUWiN Version 0.5.7.

Remember to note that the binary system images and source packages in this release are not configured for a real-world network. As such, the root password is set to "changeme" by default.

Download section.

Your comments are welcome!

Imagine a free wireless networking system that any municipality, company, or group of neighbors could easily set up themselves. Over the past half-decade, the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has been developing an open source, turnkey wireless networking solution that exceeds the functionality of many proprietary systems. CUWiN's vision is ubiquitous, extremely high-speed, low-cost networking for every community and constituency. Following in the footsteps of Linux and Firefox, CUWiN has focused on creating a low-cost, non-proprietary, user-friendly system. CUWiN's software will share connectivity across the network, allowing users to buy bandwidth in bulk and benefit from the cost savings. CUWiN networks are self-configuring and self-healing -- so adding new wireless nodes is hassle-free, and the system automatically adapts to the loss of an existing node. And, because CUWiN networks are completely ad-hoc, there's no need for expensive central servers or specialized administration equipment.

To set up a network, all end-users need to do is burn a CD with CUWiN's software, put the CD into an old desktop computer equipped with a supported wireless card, and turn the computer on. Once the computer boots from the CD, the rest of the setup is completely automated: from loading the networking operating system and software, sending out beacons to nearby nodes, negotiating network connectivity, and assimilating into the network -- all the complicated technical setup is taken care of automatically. Unlike most broadband systems, CUWiN's software builds a local intranet as well as providing for Internet-connectivity -- thus, a town that uses CUWiN's system is also creating a community-wide local area network over which streaming audio and video, voice services, etc. can all be sent.

CUWiN's software is, and always will be, available for free. CUWiN is a non-profit organization supported by grants and donations. CUWiN's software provides one of the world's most advanced networking solutions available today; and we are now making our software available to the general public to use, test, and help develop. We know that there are features and improvements that people will want to see in future releases --as an open source project, we are counting on the feedback and input from people around the globe.

More information on setting up your own CUWiN network is in the documentation center.

Even with the holidays looming overhead and all around, the CUWiN development team completed the second set - The Second Benchmark includes:

Zebra Library
Shortest Path First
Web Interface
Hardware and User Manuals
Distribution-ready Software
Testbed

Congratulations to the entire team who worked so diligently to achieve this benchmark.