Sudo Room

Network/Reboot

Revision as of 22:20, 19 June 2014 by Oosomebody (talk | contribs) (→‎Wishlist (in progress))

Taking notes for creating a new network as part of the Sudo Room Reboot, including upgrading to a bigger space!

Plan

In order to focus on good service and user experience, will plan to first deploy a "bootstrapped" wireless network, then plan and coordinate a proper wired network.

Phase 1: Bootstrapped Wireless Network

In this phase, the focus will be on wireless network service with one powerful wireless router, set up wherever the internet connection is. We'll extend the network by using wireless repeaters that have ethernet interfaces. We'll be able to take the broadcast network from the primary router, repeat it to other parts of the building with these repeaters, and ultimately connect switches to the repeaters' ethernet interfaces to extend the network throughout the building.

Wishlist

  • 1 - Really powerful wireless router
  • ~10 - Wireless Access Points (APs)
  • ~5 - Low-power Switches

Plan

Turns out there are a few wireless devices available from Sudo Mesh that aren't very helpful for the Mesh/Firmware, so we can use them with OpenWRT for this purpose. Especially helpful are the Ubiquiti Bullet 2HP routers, which simply have just barely enough memory to be operational, but are ultimately not practical for Sudo Mesh's purposes.

Ubiquiti Bullet 2HP

  1. Reset router, following the instructions here: Mesh/WalkThrough#Bullet
  2. Install OpenWRT firmware, using this image: http://downloads.openwrt.org/attitude_adjustment/12.09/atheros/generic/openwrt-atheros-ubnt2-jffs2-64k.bin
    1. Unfortunately need to use an old version of OpenWRT ("Attitude Adjustment" 12.09) since the community has stopped supporting this device (too low memory).
  3. Configure as repeater
    1. Simplest option is to use the LuCI interface to add the existing wireless network as a "Client" and additionally add the Bullet router's own network as "Master", as shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rbsh2zxPnk
    2. (Optional) consider alternative methods for repeating a network listed below:
      1. Wireless Distribution System (WDS) http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/clientmode#wds.-.wireless.distribution.system
        1. WDS is possible with atheros chipset devices, but the internet-providing Access Point needs to be running OpenWRT as well.
        2. In case wired devices don't work with the current configuration (based on video above), will need to use this option in order to get desired result:
          1. "Any wired devices connected via Ethernet to the LAN ports on the remote client bridge device should now be transparently bridged into the main network over the wireless link."
      2. Routed Client Mode http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/clientmode#routed.client.mode
      3. Bridged Client Mode (brcm-2.4 only) http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/clientmode#bridged.client.mode.brcm-2.4.only
        1. Not compatible with Bullet router.
      4. Bridged Client Mode (with relayd) http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/clientmode#bridged.client.mode.with.relayd
        1. Compatible with Bullet router, but requires installing new dependencies, for limited memory device. May need to remove unused packages to make room for this—seems like it could provide better performance than the client/master solution.

Phase 2: Proper Wired Network

As soon as a basically functioning and stable bootstrapped wireless network is deployed, we will begin the next phase, deploying a proper wired network for the whole building. The emphasis will be on modularity, reliability, maintainability, quality materials, and forward-thinking design of the network that will definitively meet the practical needs of the building by providing ubiquitous network connectivity.

Once this network is functional, we'll simply add wireless access points to replace the bootstrapped wireless network.

Wishlist (in progress)

Note: - Prices listed below are as reference only and are not including shipping. We need to research if we can find a cheaper vendor. -Also, please notice that we are listing two racks, a 2 post and a 4 post rack, assuming that we want them. But, because the $ factor we could just choose one 4 post rack only, that I believe can handle Switches and Servers and the amount of them that we currently have. But eventually with expected grow we may need to separate these two groups. Having these two racks now will keep things in their place, and reduce the overhead work that only one rack will provide. -VERY IMPORTANT: Please don't be shy to ask, comment, or provide suggestions; Sudo (and Omni) members participation is very welcome. Wiring Scheme to be used: T568B.

Please see a pasted email right after this list of parts. It has several questions that we need to consider. Ty!

TOC

  • Switch Rack
  • Server Rack
  • Patch Panel for Switch Rack (2RU)
  • Patch Panel for Server Rack (1RU)
  • Category 6A Jack Modules
  • RJ45 Connectors
  • Mini-Com Surface Mount Box
  • Network CAT6A Bulk Cable
  • Network CAT6A Patch Cable
  • Vertical Cable Management Trays
  • Horizontal Cable Management Tray
  • Miscellaneous

TOTAL (approx): $

Switch Rack:

    • Quantity: 1
    • Item: Panduit 2 Post Modular NET FRAMEâ„¢ Rack
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number: NFR84
    • Item details: Rack and Accessories
    • Price: $529.97
    • Accessories: Not included in price shown above, we need to discuss which ones should we getting.

Server Rack:

Patch Panel for Switch Rack (2RU):

Patch Panel for Server Rack (1RU):

Category 6A Jack Modules:

    • Quantity: 1 (Package of 24)
    • Item: Category 6A, RJ45, 10 Gb/s, 8-position, 8-wire universal Bulk Packaged
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number: CJ6X88TGAW-24
    • Item details: Details Here Installation Instructions Here
    • Price: $

RJ45 Connectors:

    • Quantity: 20
    • Item: 8-position, 8-wire modular plug, for use with 28 AWG, Category 6, UTP copper cable.
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number: SP628-C
    • Item details: Details Here Installation Instructions Here
    • Price: $

Mini-Com Surface Mount Box:

    • Quantity: 20
    • Item: Mini-Com® surface mount box accepts up to two Mini-Com® Modules. Includes built-in removable blank to add a second module. Dimensions: 1.06"H x 1.95"W x 3.65"L (27.0mm x 49.5mm x 92.7mm)
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number: CBX2AW-AY
    • Item details: Details Here Installation Instructions Here
    • Price: $

Network CAT6A UTP Bulk Cable:

    • Quantity: 1000 Feet
    • Item: Category 6A UTP Copper Cable
    • Manufacturer: Panduit
    • Part Number: CMP
    • Item details: Details Here
    • Price: $325

NOTE: We also accept CAT5e donations for non-backbone use.

Network CAT6A UTP Patch Cable:

    • Quantity: 24
    • Item: Category 6A UTP Copper Cable
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number:
    • Item details: 4'-6' Length
    • Price:

NOTE: We also accept CAT5e donations.

Vertical Cable Management Trays

    • Quantity: 2
    • Item:
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number:
    • Item details:
    • Price: $

Horizontal Cable Management Tray

    • Quantity: 1
    • Item:
    • Manufacturer: Panduit.com
    • Part Number:
    • Item details:
    • Price: $

Miscellaneous :

    • Cagenuts and screws
    • Wire ties
    • A roll of Velcro

TOOLS: I have a set that we can use.

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS/COMMENTS

  • What do you think about Someone's suggestion of going for a wall rack instead?: Selecting a Wall Mount Rack
  • Can we find someone to bend chicken-wire into the tracks we need to hang from the ceiling? <-- not sure if this will up to code (legal), we will need to find

Pasted E-Mail Starts Here Subject: The New Server Room Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 <snip><snip> From: <snip><snip> To: <snip><snip> CC: <snip><snip>, <snip><snip>, <snip><snip>, <snip><snip>

Thank you <snip><snip>. <snip><snip>, and <snip><snip> thank you for questions and interest.

I've not done the walk-through yet because of the somewhat restricted access to the whole building, so no photos.

Here are other questions that I suggest we should look for their answers also: 

1.- Based on the current equipment and envisioning the future of Sudo-SudoMesh(-Omni) what size room do we need?
2.- How is the potential room airflow?
3.- How is temperature of the room, now and during the Summer?
4.- Are there electrical outlets nearby?
5.- Do we have enough Amps in that area?
6.- If not, do we need to install a circuit breaker box with scalability?
7.- Room's accessibility?
8.- Security: Who and when people have access to it when no Sudoers are present?
9.- What type of racks, 2 or 4 of both size rack? or no this of rack? Someone mentioned a wall mount rack in the open?

10.- If 2 or 4 post rack, should we get CAT6A ready? This means that at least the backbone wiring, Patch panel, and connectors need to CAT6A.

Just these questions for now... but I encourage others to please add/correct/comment/suggest as needed.

For those interested here is the link to the 'wish' list that I've been working on: https://sudoroom.org/wiki/Network/Reboot#Phase_2:_Proper_Wired_Network

Thank you, <snip> Pasted E-Mail Ends here

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