FAQ

What are we trying to do?

Detroit Wireless Project is a non-profit community based organization. Our purpose is to build a secure wireless network in order to distribute wireless Internet access to the Metro Detroit Area.

How are we doing it?

With a group of volunteers that donate time. Volunteers range in talent from techs to accountants. Everyone can help the network happen with their own individual talents.

What areas are covered by the network?

The DWP network covers the Metro Detroit area.

What is a "node"?

We use the word "node" loosely as a location where someone is able to connect to the Internet through a wireless connection. Nodes will eventually be connected together into a "mesh" network that will form a wireless "cloud" over the area.

What are the hardware requirements to open a Detroit Wireless Project node?

Each node needs the following items to be able to be a part of the Detroit Wireless Project network:
- A Pentium class computer with 128 mb of RAM, a CD-ROM, a floppy drive and two NIC cards.
- A wireless access point or router. If it is a wireless router, you must make sure that DHCP is turned OFF.
- A wired router. Your DSL provider most likely gives this to you but if you only have a modem you will need to get a wired router as well.

What are the software requirements?

DWP currently uses a CD-ROM bootable version of Linux called Public IP that is built off of the Morphix distribution of Linux. You need to make sure that the boot order in your bios is set to boot to CD first. To do this simply follow the instructions at boot up that tell you how to get into setup, usually pressing the delete button gets you there but on some computers it is one of the function keys (F1, F2 etc.) Once inside of the bios you need to find the boot order and make sure that CD is listed first.

If you have no desire to do this do not worry. We are more than happy to do it for you.

Before you restart the computer, open the CD-ROM and insert the PublicIP disk. Then restart. The computer will boot up to the CD and turn the computer into a wireless router.

What type of Internet Connection do I need?

Detroit Wireless Project requires a high-speed Internet connection in order to participate in the network. DSL, Cable, TI, DS3 and OC-* all fall under these guidelines. If you currently have a high-speed connection you need to insure that you are allowed to share that connection. Certain ISPs do not allow sharing and are mainly under the Cable category. If you plan to share an SBC connection it must be business grade. Detroit Wireless Project has developed relationships with a few resellers that are giving a significant discount to node owners.

How does Detroit Wireless Project financially support itself?

Currently DWP has no source of funding and is run by volunteers only. We do intend to pursue funding from government, organizational and corporate entities when the time is right. Our current initiative is to get our Non-Profit status finalized. We have the corporation papers done but we now need to finance the exempt status paperwork, about $500.

Does Detroit Wireless Project have any strategic partnerships?

In order to do business with Detroit Wireless Project you must contribute something to help the project. The Detroit Wireless Project has no funds and therefore does not make any purchases. We do however consult our node owners on the best places to make purchases and this will always be based on value and not profit. DWP is a community group and is interested in working companies that committed to the community.

How can I help?

You do not need to be a tech wizard to help the Detroit Wireless Project. Armed with this FAQ you can go business to business and help us create this network. If you are interested in the technology you are certainly welcome to help us develop and test new technologies and suggest different methods. We are a community group and we truly believe that if you donate your talents to this group you will help make the Detroit Wireless Project a success and help the community in general.

Personal Telco has an excellent FAQ that delves a little deeper into community wireless networking in general.

Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or ideas not covered by these FAQs.