city of the sun community internet
    original proposal - cos inet news - network manual - antenna reflector



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COS Network Manual
------------------

Guidelines & Technical Reference
 for COS Community Internet
  at City of the Sun

2006 Nov - 2007 Jan  (working draft - vansprouts)


Contents

COS Community Internet
  Guidelines & Policies
  COS Wifi Access Points
  Acknowledgements & Links

Technical Reference for Users
  Computer Equipment Needed
  Setup & Troubleshooting

Technical Reference for Administrators
  Wifi Access Points & Repeaters
  COS Network IP Numbers
  Configuration of Network Devices



chris vansprouts <vansprouts at mac dot com>
http://homepage.mac.com/vansprouts/cos/internet.html

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COS Community Internet
----------------------


Guidelines & Policies for the COS Community Internet


The COS Community Internet, aka "COS Network", which includes
COS Wifi and access to the Global Internet, is for the free use
of all COS members and guests, only.  It is not an open public
access network.  A list of COS Wifi stations and the encryption
key should always be posted in the COS Community Building,
along with the COS Network Manual and how to contact the COS
Network Administrator(s).

Members of the COS Community are welcome and encouraged to
contribute and publish their creative work on our local COS
webserver or on their own webservers (all accessible only
within the community), and to use the COS Network as a bridge
for publishing on the Global Internet.  (see web links below)

We will respect the privacy of others, and the freedom to
access any public information on the Global Internet.
Absolutely no monitoring, cracking, or other interference will
be allowed on or via the COS Network.  Also, users must abide
by VTC's Acceptable Use Policies, and should respect
traditional common-sense etiquette of the Global Internet.

The COS Network has a limited bandwidth connection with the
Global Internet (256kbps DSL thru vtc.net), so please be
considerate of others who may be using it at the same time.
Low-bandwidth use like email, browsing, or shopping is fine any
time of day or night.   High-bandwidth use like internet phone,
music/videos, or massive downloads should be done only during
off-peak hours, or via one's own private internet account.

Use of the COS Network is entirely at one's own risk.  No one
can infallibly guarantee the reliability or safety of any
computer hardware, software, or data.  That said, for maximum
safety of all COS Network users, each computer connected to
the COS Network needs to be be updated and protected against
viruses, trojans, etc.  Also, non-COS wifi equipment must
co-exist peacefully with the COS Network.  Please verify the
condition/configuration of your computer and wifi equipment
with the COS Network Administrator(s).

In case of technical problems, first check your own computer,
and read the COS Network Manual to help diagnose the problem.
Also, the COS Network Administrator(s) are available for free
assistance & advice.  Please do not mess with the COS Network
devices, and do not call VTC - they are responsible only for
the DSL modem in the COS office.  The COS Network Administrator(s)
are responsible for all COS Network devices, and will determine
when a call to VTC is necessary.  If your computer is in good
condition, the COS Network Administrator(s) can set up or repair
a connection with the COS Network, most likely in a few minutes
and at no charge.

Wifi Access Points for the COS Community Internet


[cos map with radio coverage rings]
    cos2i           zmans        cos2        drbobs
[cos cmty bldg]              [cos laundry]


All "cos" wifi access points are online 24 hours,
 and all have the same WEP 64 encryption key:
    ascii = rjf1s  -or-  hex = 726A663173

  ssid   channel   owner / location  (notes)
  ----   -------   ----------------
  cos2i    ch2     cos community building
  cos2     ch2     cos laundry
  drbobs   ch7     bob cook's (always on)
  zmans    ch5     zephyr's (not always on)


(Other wifi access points & repeaters at COS are not totally
compatible with the COS Network.  see Technical Reference for
Administrators, below)

Acknowledgements & Links for the COS Community Internet


The COS Community Internet is dedicated to the spirit of Ted Specker.


2006 May-July   Proposed, designed, & installed by chris vansprouts
  with thanks to Ted, Zephyr, Bob, and others who may wish to remain anonymous :)

  http://192.168.30.10/cos/community/internet.html  - original proposal
  http://192.168.30.10/cos/meetings/cos060521inet.mov  - membership discussion audio


2006 Nov - 2007 Jan (working draft)   Documented by chris vansprouts

  http://192.168.30.10/cos/community/imanual.html  - COS Network Manual
  http://192.168.30.10/cos/community/parabolic.html  - wifi antenna reflector


Email addresses

  COS Foundation Office:      COS Office <cos at vtc dot net>
  COS Network Administrator:  chris vansprouts <vansprouts at mac dot com>


Web pages   (not pretty, all under construction)

   http://192.168.30.10        - local COS webserver (available only within the community)
   http://192.168.30.10/chalkboard/  - Virtual COS Chalkboard (make this your home page!)
   http://192.168.30.10/beta/cos/    - draft next version of COS website
   http://192.168.30.10/cos/         - published COS website (local mirror)
   http://www.vtc.net/~cos/          - published COS website (vtc mirror)


  [also see the cos lost & foundation info mirrors]

----------------------
Technical Reference
 for COS Network Users
----------------------


Computer Equipment Needed to Use the COS Network


1  Any computer (desktop or laptop, Windows or Mac) with
built-in Wifi or a Wifi card.

Built-in antennas are small & low-power, so an external antenna
or a Wifi-Ethernet Bridge may be needed, depending on your
location.  Also see item 3 below.

-or-

2  Any computer with built-in Ethernet, and an Ethernet wired
connection to the COS Network.

For example, one could carry a non-Wifi laptop into the COS
Community Building and plug in directly with an Ethernet cable.

-or-

3  Any computer with built-in Ethernet, and a Wifi-Ethernet Bridge.

A directional and/or outside Wifi antenna may also be needed,
depending on your location.  Even if your computer has built-in
Wifi, a Wifi-Ethernet Bridge may have a much stronger signal
and a more reliable connection with the COS Network.


Notes

Any Macintosh since 1993, and any Windows PC since 1998, should
have no problem connecting with the COS Network to use for
basic email and web-browsing.  Newer computers are much faster,
have built-in Wifi, and are more compatible with newer
websites, video, etc.

Wifi, Ethernet, and TCP/IP are all computer industry standards,
in wide use for many years.  All computers & interface boxes
using these communication standards are compatible with each
other and the Global internet, and with the COS Network.

The COS Network has Wifi access points, clients, & ethernet
bridges made by Buffalo, Linksys, Dlink, Apple, and others.
Everything can be configured to be pretty compatible.

The best method i've found for many COS residents is to install
a wifi-ethernet bridge inside the house, and if necessary, an
outside antenna above the roof.  I'm recommending the Buffalo
Ethernet Converter model WLI-TX4-G54HP (about $70).  This
wifi-ethernet bridge allows up to 4 computers to plug into the
COS Network via ethernet cables.

If you need a quick cheap boost in wifi signal strength (25 to
50%), try an add-on antenna reflector.  This will make your
existing omni-directional antenna into a higher-gain
directional antenna.

Setup & Troubleshooting Wifi / Internet Access


Setup

   enable your wifi
     scan & select nearest cos access point
     use cos wep64 encryption key

  (or plug in ethernet cable)

   your network ip number & dns are assigned automatically
    (by dhcp, usually the default setting)

     your ip number should be 192.168.30.nnn
     subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0
     gateway should be 192.168.30.1
     dns should be 192.168.30.1

   recommended, unless you have specific reasons otherwise...
    (also see troubleshooting, below)

     all login accounts on your computer should have passwords.
     use administrative account(s) only for installing software
       and updates, and only from trusted sources.
     use limited / normal user account(s) for everything else.

     disable guest login.
     disable file & printer sharing, and remote assistance.
     enable firewall with no exceptions.

     install all system security updates from manufacturer.
     run virus scanner & remove all suspicious software.
     install & use latest firefox web browser & thunderbird email.


Troubleshooting

1  does your laptop get a strong wifi signal
    and good connection in the cos community building,
    but not at home?
    (probable cause: laptop wifi device too weak)

     scan and select strongest cos wifi station, use correct wep64 key.
     check wifi signal strength and antenna location.
     find best location for antenna or laptop.
     a few inches difference can double signal strength.

     install outside antenna and/or wifi-ethernet bridge.
     consult with cos network administrator about your wifi hardware.

2  all hardware & software installed correctly?
     check power, cables, drivers, wifi antenna, etc.

     scan and select strongest cos wifi station, use correct wep64 key.
     check wifi signal strength and antenna location.
     also see previous item.

     check network status...
     your ip number should be 192.168.30.nnn
      (192.168.30.129 or higher, auto-assigned by dhcp)
     subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0
     gateway should be 192.168.30.1
     dns should be 192.168.30.1

     consult with cos network administrator about your network settings.

3  quit & restart your web browser.  ok?
    (probable cause: javascript dos attack)

     install all system security updates from manufacturer.
     install & use latest firefox web browser.
     also see next item.

4  shutdown & restart your computer.  ok?
    (probable cause: evil website or email attachment)

     run virus scanner & remove all suspicious software.
     install & use latest firefox web browser & thunderbird email.
     remove microsoft internet explorer & outlook express.

     use administrative account(s) for trusted updates only.
     all administrative accounts should have secure passwords.

     use a limited/user account for everything else,
     especially when traveling in unknown or "bad neighborhoods".
     all limited/user accounts should also have passwords.

5  disable / unplug all network & wifi connections,
    shutdown & restart your computer.  ok?
    (probable cause: unauthorized remote access)

     disable guest login.
     all login accounts on your computer should have passwords.
     disable file & printer sharing, and remote assistance.
     enable firewall with no exceptions.
     also see previous item.

     reconnect to cos network.

6  is your computer still having problems?
    (probable cause: cos network problem)

     read the cos network manual carefully and consult with
       cos network administrator in case of cos network problem.

7  is your computer still having problems?
    (probable cause: unknown)

     disconnect your computer from cos network, and call
       computer shop or consultant to overhaul computer.


Note about viruses etc

At this time (2006, and for many years past), Windows PCs are
extremely vulnerable to viruses etc, and must diligently be kept
up-to-date.  Macintoshes seem to be of little interest to
viruses etc, except that on both PCs & Macs, Microsoft software
(Explorer, Outlook, Office, Word, Excel) and web browsers with
Javascript are vulnerable if not kept up-to-date.

-------------------------------
Technical Reference
 for COS Network Administrators
-------------------------------


Wifi Access Points & Repeaters


COS Wifi access points are all named "cos"-something, and
all use the same WEP64 encryption key (always posted in the
community building, along with this document).  The key should
be changed only when necessary, and with as much advance notice
as possible to all COS members.  The ascii key should be 5
lowercase letters & numbers picked at random, and also expressed
as 10 hexadecimal digits for software which has no ascii option.
(for example, the current key in ascii is "rjf1s", which is
the same as "726A663173" in hexadecimal)

If you wish to set up a non-COS wifi access point within the City
of the Sun, you will need to enable encryption and choose a channel
which is not already in use, and not use "cos" in the SSID name.

If a non-COS access point is a repeater for the COS Network, it
may use the COS Wifi encryption key, but only if it is completely
compatible with the COS Network.  This is to avoid confusion
and allow easiest access to the entire COS Network for everyone.

For example, we currently have two non-COS repeaters in operation,
zmans and drbobs (see COS Wifi Access Points, above).

Wifi channels 1, 2, 3, and 9, 10, 11 are reserved for the COS
Network.  Non-COS access points may use any channel 4 thru 8 in
B-mode (11 Mbps).  Please note that G-mode (54 Mbps) uses five
consecutive B-mode channels, so in G-mode, only channel 6 is
available (which makes use of all the channels 4 thru 8).

Please consult with COS Network Administrator(s) to check your
configuration.

COS Network IP Numbers

 (confidential, see full admin version of COS Network Manual)

Configuration of COS Network Devices

 (confidential, see full admin version of COS Network Manual)