Hello All,
I got this idea when I observed a client's SIFY connection. He wanted to have SIFY on his laptop so once the IP settings were done, there was a local LAN link of SIFY to download their dialer from SIFY's local network. Since the link was local LAN, it took about 2 seconds to download a 2 Mb file. Now with wireless I was wondering if we can have local wireless web servers in Mumbai where people can bring their laptops to hot spots and download linux softwares like latest distro ISOs, rpms, debs and tar gzipped files.
The webserver will be simple tiny devices with hard disks, like the one in HBCSE. Their output can be given to a wireless AP. There will be no link with the internet so no wiring or ISP billing. The two devices are small in size and low on power consumption. They can be installed in coffee shops, book stalls, libraries etc. The devices can be provided free to the shops through institutional or corporate or collective funding with the condition that the shop will leave it on the whole day at his cost of electricity. The shop benefits from more visitors and good business like selling beverages and snacks, books etc. The devices will run independently and once in a few months the disks are updated with the latest distros and softwares through....say wireless itself. Just run a predefined package and wait till it says 'ok its done'.
The advantage of this system is that local LAN speeds are much higher than internet so downloads will be much faster and one can simply log into the local web page and select the distro for download. Since there is no link with the net, security is good and the server anyway does not carry any sensitive information.
Regards,
Rony. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
On Wednesday 06 December 2006 01:01, Rony wrote:
Now with wireless I was wondering if we can have local wireless web servers in Mumbai where people can bring their laptops to hot spots and download linux softwares like latest distro ISOs, rpms, debs and tar gzipped files.
1) Very few have a wireless card. So a switch /hub will also be required. 2) the cost of dvd is a lot cheaper to each individual as opposed to your schme which involves high capex for the provider without any visible benefits.
Technically it is feasible though. With some access points u can hook a disk directly. Reflash the ap with a minimal webserver like boa. A fresh raw install over wireless wont be very simple. U have to get the wireless lan card running. Many have driver issues with linux.
devices can be provided free to the shops through institutional or corporate or collective funding with the condition that the shop will leave it on the whole day at his cost of electricity. The shop benefits from more visitors and good business like selling beverages and snacks, books etc.
U are very optimistic. But do get the funding up and running.
jtd wrote:
- Very few have a wireless card. So a switch /hub will also be
required. 2) the cost of dvd is a lot cheaper to each individual as opposed to your schme which involves high capex for the provider without any visible benefits.
True but for DVDs one has to ask others every time. With a free choice available through a web page, any amount of downloads are possible without disturbing anyone. The shops will benefit by getting more potential customers who are likely to buy something while they wait for the download to complete. Coffee shops will benefit the most. As a rule, anyone who wants to sit at the tables must order something or else stand outside and do the download.
Technically it is feasible though. With some access points u can hook a disk directly. Reflash the ap with a minimal webserver like boa.
That is nice. :)
A fresh raw install over wireless wont be very simple. U have to get the wireless lan card running. Many have driver issues with linux.
I was referring to the web pages and data on the tiny server.
devices can be provided free to the shops through institutional or corporate or collective funding with the condition that the shop will leave it on the whole day at his cost of electricity. The shop benefits from more visitors and good business like selling beverages and snacks, books etc.
U are very optimistic. But do get the funding up and running.
:) Once the technology and software model is available, we can look into the next stage. Many marketing companies provide free display material to the shops like illuminated signboards etc. If they can pitch in and provide black boxes with their company logos and ads. etc., that can also help.
Regards,
Rony. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
On 12/6/06, Rony ronbillypop@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Now with wireless I was wondering if we can have local wireless web servers in Mumbai where people can bring their laptops to hot spots and download linux softwares like latest distro ISOs, rpms, debs and tar gzipped files.
Talking about the idea, what is it that you are trying to achieve ? Distribution of the Linux OS or installation services ?
If you talk of companies that provide installation services providing this kind of infrastructure to themselves, it makes sense. It may also make sense for companies like RadHat, Novell and Canonical to put up such things. I think the idea is good. If you can find the right contacts, please file a patent for your idea. Am sure it can get you lot of money in the future.
Once that is done, write in to people like Mark Shuttleworth ( Canonical / Ubuntu ) or put this posting in mailing lists of the other distributions that earn money and see if they are interested.
- Navneet
Navneet Karnani wrote:
On 12/6/06, Rony ronbillypop@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Now with wireless I was wondering if we can have local wireless web servers in Mumbai where people can bring their laptops to hot spots and download linux softwares like latest distro ISOs, rpms, debs and tar gzipped files.
Talking about the idea, what is it that you are trying to achieve ? Distribution of the Linux OS or installation services ?
Only reducing time taken for downloading ISOs from the slow internet.
If you talk of companies that provide installation services providing this kind of infrastructure to themselves, it makes sense. It may also make sense for companies like RadHat, Novell and Canonical to put up such things. I think the idea is good.
That is a very practical point. I didn't think about that.
If you can find the right contacts, please file a patent for your idea. Am sure it can get you lot of money in the future.
Right now the purpose is just to make life easier for others and spread linux faster. :)
Once that is done, write in to people like Mark Shuttleworth ( Canonical / Ubuntu ) or put this posting in mailing lists of the other distributions that earn money and see if they are interested.
Regards,
Rony.
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something easier, much more cost effective is LAN sharing. You just need to get connected to Sify's LAN and then anybody in Mumbai on the Sify network can download off your PC at LAN speeds ( 10/100Mbps ). The only thing is that they need to know your IP address. Since Sify generally assigns even private IPs through DHCP you need to maintain a site which will display your private IP :)
Dinesh Joshi wrote:
something easier, much more cost effective is LAN sharing. You just need to get connected to Sify's LAN and then anybody in Mumbai on the Sify network can download off your PC at LAN speeds ( 10/100Mbps ). The only thing is that they need to know your IP address. Since Sify generally assigns even private IPs through DHCP you need to maintain a site which will display your private IP :)
Yes thats possible too. :)
Regards,
Rony. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
On Wednesday 06 December 2006 12:02, Dinesh Joshi wrote:
The only thing is that they need to know your IP address. Since Sify generally assigns even private IPs through DHCP you need to maintain a site which will display your private IP :)
Afaik Sify was segmented. So only your subnet is accessible.
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Dinesh Joshi -
jtd -
Navneet Karnani -
Rony