What is FreeNet?

Public DataWeb's  FreeNet - is a reliable, fully managed,  turn-key solution for Wi-Fi Mesh Networks of any scale.
 
FreeNet Mesh Networks can provide Internet access, data services with access to mobile applications, CCTV surveillance support,  extended implementations, secure messaging, VOIP and Virtual Private Networks and other wireless services for third party interested agencies.

We can use any range of Access Point equipment available, depending on project scale and requirements. We host the Access Points in our street kiosks, on lamp posts, inside any street furniture, etc.

What does it do?

FreeNet is ideal for Wi-Fi City Municipal Metropolitan implementations delivering free data services and/or free Internet access to citizens, for tourism agencies promoting mobile tourism related content in the city, for the Police, the Fire Brigade or any other institution using mobile workers.

Running on FreeNet, we provide the 'What's on Direct' mobile city guide, which is a content service gathering live events, attractions and going-out information for your city.

See also: Solutions -> Metropolitan Wi-Fi Networks, the Sheffield Wi-Fi Pilot implementation.

Mesh networking provides an innovative method to build complex data networks very easily. Using the intelligence of each component, meshing helps them to join into a self-organising structure. This approach differs from the traditional "top-down" design of data networks, and provides many benefits, including flexibility, speed and ease of management, making it very easy to deploy widespread networks with low overheads.

Mesh Networking is particularly suited to wireless networks, where the connections can't be predicted in the same way as a wired network, catering for mobile nodes, instant growth and unpredictable variations in reception and coverage.

Mesh networking builds up a wide spread multi-hop network making connections between neighbouring nodes on demand. Once connected the nodes can explore the network and establish their routes through it, finding the resources that they need automatically.

As each mesh node is autonomous, discovering routes on demand, there is no central control to act as a bottle neck. As the network grows the routing task for each node does not grow exponentially, as they only build routes to the resources that they need. Routes are established on demand, and un-used routes are flushed out after a short time.

If one route becomes un-workable then the node will automatically seek out another, providing self-healing structure and removing the reliance on single points of potential failure.

Our Meshing architecture delivers networks that are:

• Self Organising - each node works the routing out for itself, saving time and effort in administration

• Wide Ranging - multi-hop networks extend wireless range around obstacles and over greater distances.

• Scalable - just add more nodes. The routing configuration is automatic, and there is no exponential rise in complexity as the network grows.

• Resilient - The self organising functions run continuously, so when changes occur to connections and reception the mesh will automatically re-route around blockages in real time.

• Powerful - The unique features of the mesh make it a very powerful tool for building data networks. 

• Secure - Strong cryptography and certification can be used to build a highly secure wireless network.