[Idea] Advanced / extended support for mesh networks
Motivation and vision
We are being surveilled and tracked everywhere we go. The networks we use are centralized through ISPs, DNS, and existing routing protocols and enhance this capability for people in power / the surveyors. Through the expansion of community networks using encrypted peer-to-peer tech and meshnets, we are beginning and can continue to counteract surveillance and push forward internet freedom.
Nationwide or even international meshnets should be able to give us a large degree of freedom, anonymity and possible security. This can be achieved by the democratization and facilitation of entry into these networks for the non-technical population which are in the majority. Joining and contributing should be mere clicks or taps away.
Usecases
Joining an existing
- Myrtel arrives in a new city
- She possess a freedombox and would like to use internet quickly
- She turns on her freedombox
- Connects to it and navigates to the networks
- She clicks on "Join/Create meshnet"
- A list of of surrounding meshnets are listed
- Myrtel selects and connects to a network
Extending an existing meshnet
- Dan lives in an apartment building and uses an existing freedombox meshnet when in another area of the city
- He would like to participate and extend the meshnet
- His apartment building doesn't have any nodes in the meshnet
- Dan connects to his freedombox
- Goes to Networks and clicks on "Join/Create meshnet"
- After a short while, no existing meshnets are shown
- Dan clicks on the "Create" button
- Two options are presented "Simple" and "Advanced"
- Dan selects "Simple"
- A wizard step asks if Dan would like to share his internet connection or not
- Dan does want to and clicks on "Share"
- Another wizard step asks what percentage of bandwidth he wants to share and suggests "30%"
- Dan accepts and clicks "Done"
- The network is started and configured, and a final screen shows up showing the configuration information like name and frequency
Steps
- Discussion of requirements for the selection of a prime meshnet supported on the freedom box (I see BATMAN has been added, but is it the optimal choice for the vision?)
- Agreement on goal of integration and UI
- Integration and testing
- Release
Maybe BATMAN with the introduction of an overlay network like TOR or I2P is sufficient, but that's up for discussion I believe. In any case, joining a meshnet isn't simple for a layman at the moment.
To join an existing mesh network in your area, first consult the organizers and get information about the mesh network.
I could search for "meshnets in Bratislava", but configuration is already beyond what a layman would be ready to do. Imho, it should be as easy as selecting a wireless network when one is activated on a smartphone or computer. A list pops up and you join or you're given the option to create one yourself.
To consider
- liability for crimes committed when acting as internet gateway
- maybe by default unencrypted connections made of the gateway should be denied
- traffic could also be forced through an installed overlay network
- possibly support for WiMax or other tech should be considered since Wifi has bad range