First-Mile
Internet Access
Internet ubiquity and video on demand (VoD) are driving demand for ever
faster first-mile access
while exerting pressure on pricing. Today much of the US population is
served by multi-megabit wired broadband; most often supplied by the local Cable
TV (DOCSIS) or
telephone (ADSL) company. Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) is the holy grail of
broadband but is only available to a small percentage of the population. The Cellular
network is
rapidly becoming IP centric where Internet data usage vastly exceeds that of
voice. This paper discusses the various technologies used to
provide internet access and the role played by the ISP.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Living with a SOHO Network 2022
Twenty-fourth annual report
Hands-on
experience installing a small LAN. Paper covers a broad range of
topics: internet connection sharing, installing landline telephone and Ethernet
wiring, configuring network PCs and implementing a poor-man's server. Being
a small business I also discuss the advantages of registering an internet domain
name.
[PDF] [HTML]
Consolidated Communication is aggresively deploying PON high speed fiber symmetric passive optical
network in New Hampshire. We were finally able to move from 5 Mbps DSL to
50 Mbps PON. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2021
Twenty-third annual report (skipped)
Grudingly learning to live with Win 10 - no changes to the network or
ISP |
Living with a SOHO Network 2020
Twenty-second annual report
[PDF] [HTML]
Changes this edition. With Win 7 at end of support I migrated all our PCs to Win 10. We also
had to change the way we stream internet content for our TV, now using
a Roku Express media player. Lastly to augment our backup generator I
built a DC UPS to keep our network
alive during power outages when the generator is not running.
|
Living with a SOHO Network 2019
Twenty-first annual report (skipped)
LAN has been stable, still stuck with DSL but it remains adequate for
our purposes.
Need to start thinking about migrating our Win7 PCs as extended support
ends January 2020.
|
Living with a SOHO Network 2018
Twentieth annual report (skipped)
Hard to believe it has been 20 years since I first installed an
Ethernet LAN. LAN and DSL have been stable, no network changes during the
previous year. I replaced my T61 laptop with an off-lease Lenovo T520
running Win 7.
|
Living
with a SOHO Network 2017 Nineteenth annual report
[PDF] Changes this edition: Pretty
uneventful year. Same ISP but replaced the DSL modem. New modem is
synching about 1/2 Megabit per second faster, that was a pleasant and unexpected
surprise. Expanded the troubleshooting section. |
Living with a SOHO Network
2016 Eighteenth annual
report [PDF] Changes
this edition: finally moved into the 21th century, I upgraded the LAN with
a Gig Ethernet switch, increased the size of our off line backup, replaced
an aging inkjet printer and signed up with a Wi-Fi centric mobile phone
provider. |
Living with a SOHO
Network 2015 Seventeenth annual report [PDF]
Changes this edition: ADSL service has been uneventful except our CLEC was
acquired, nothing is supposed to change. Added several Ethernet drops to
support home automation controllers and finally bit the bullet and
upgraded from Win XP to Win 7. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2014 Sixteenth annual
report (skipped) |
Living with a SOHO
Network 2013 Fifteenth annual report [PDF]
Changes this edition: finally able to upgrade ADSL to 6 Mbps from 3 by
switching to a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC). Still
modest by present day standards but a worthwhile improvement. Upgraded
Wi-Fi to 802.11N Access Point and installed a WD TV Live Hub for
Netflix TV. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2012 Fourteenth annual
report (skipped) |
Living with a SOHO Network 2011 Thirteenth annual
report (skipped) |
Living with a SOHO Network 2010 Twelfth annual
report (skipped) |
Living with a SOHO Network 2009 Eleventh annual
report [PDF] Changes this
edition: updated LAN wiring with a patch panel and added more Ethernet
drops, implemented off line USB file backup, DSL speed increased to
3000/768 |
Living with a SOHO
Network 2008 Tenth annual report [PDF] ] Changes this
edition: after several years of stability replaced just about
everything except the DSL connection. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2007 Ninth annual
report (skipped) |
Living with a SOHO
Network 2006 Eighth annual report [PDF] Changes this
edition: ADSL speed increase to 1500/384. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2005 Seventh annual report
[PDF] Changes this
edition: added DNS resolver |
Living with a SOHO Network 2004 Sixth annual
report (skipped) |
Living with a SOHO Network 2003 Fifth annual report [PDF] Changes this
edition: added Syslog event logger, extensive whitepaper rewrite. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2002 Fourth annual report
[PDF] Changes this
edition: 768/128 ADSL replaced 512/512 SDSL, implemented automatic file
backup. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2001 Third annual report
[PDF] Changes this
edition: 512/512 SDSL replaced dialup. Added NAT router and network print
server. |
Living with a SOHO Network 2000 Second annual report
[PDF] Changes this
edition: added software firewall, registered Domain name. |
Living with a SOHO Network 1999 First report
[PDF] Sharing dialup
Internet connection with Wingate connection sharing software |
Modem Access Adapter - device prevents interference
when telephone and dialup modem share a telephone line. When modem
attempts to dial out adapter searches for an idle phone line over a maximum of
two lines. It disconnects phones before connecting the modem. This prevents picking up a phone
from dumping an ongoing data connection, or the modem barging into an
existing phone
conversation. If both lines are busy
modem retries later. Design Idea was published in July 22, 1999 EDN. Firmware is filed
separately as Design Idea #2389. Download article directly from EDN magazine or here. |
Dialup
Modem Impairments - dialup modems are very demanding of the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and rarely hit advertised speed. This
paper describes common impairments that degrade speed.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Bird
feeder winch - installed a hand operated winch to raise and
lower our bird feeder.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Inline
DC voltage/current monitor - simple power monitor inserted
between DC wall wart and low power electronics to monitor voltage and
current. It uses a wide assortment of barrel jack adapters or banana jacks
for connectivity.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Outdoor Temperature/Humidity logger
- one of the casualties of migrating to Win 10 is the ancient software we
used to present weather station data no longer works. Used the same PLC as
some other projects with some simple firmware to log min/max
temperature the previous couple of days in addition to real time web based
temperature and humidity display.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Tire
bucket seat swing - growing up
there was a tire swing at my grandparents house. This was more then just an
old tire hanging from a rope. About 2/3rds of the tread was cut away
and the tire turned inside out resulting in a bucket seat. Many joyful memories
so I wanted to make one for our granddaughter.
[PDF] [HTML] |
External
battery 12/5 volt DC output UPS - I wanted to keep our LAN
operational during power outages when we are not running our backup
generator. The UPS replaced the AC wall warts and powers network devices
directly. Rather than including a SLA battery I used an automotive jump
pack as the battery. That is the best of both worlds: the UPS gets a free
battery and the UPS keeps the jump pack battery topped up so it is ready to go if
needed.
[PDF] [HTML]
I needed to make some minor modifications to support our ISP's fiber PON
network. |
Vacuum
cleaner plug repair - the built in captive connector failed on our
canister vacuum cleaner. Found a shrouded connector to effect a repair.
[PDF] [HTML] |
ATX
bench supply -
recycled an old
PC ATX power supply using a nifty breakout board I stumbled across on eBay It had never
occurred to me to use an ATX power supply as a bench supply. It
provides plenty of 3.3, 5 and 12 volts and even a little -12 for analog
projects or 24 volts when teamed with +12v rail.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Toddler
activity box - as a newly minted grandparent wanted to build
some type of activity box. This one has an electronics section (what a
surprise), and a plumbing and gearing side. It will be several years before
my granddaughter will be old enough to use it but it is ready if and when she
expresses an interest.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Cat
proof automatic feeder - my daughter purchased an automatic
cat feeder. Unfortunately her cats figured out they could use their paws
to get more food out of the feeder. I built a simple (non electronic) box to protect the
feeder from marauding cats.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Portable
backup generator - bit the bullet and installed a small
gasoline powered generator to deal with long term power outages. Designed
a status panel to monitor generator AC and DC health. Paper describes:
generator selection, fuel choices and electrical considerations.
[PDF] [HTML] |
USB
dummy load - simple device to verify power supply capability
and power consumption. It uses a switched resistive load useful for
battery capacity analysis and power supply/cable testing. It has turned
out to be more useful then I expected so modified it to provide more granularity: 100ma, 500ma, 1A, 1.5A, 2.1A and 3.1A. For more comprehensive
testing a constant current load can be connected.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Retro
vacuum tube proximity detector - I ran across an Internet library
of old electronics magazines. Found a copy of the Popular Electronics magazine I used to build a proximity detector
science fair project way back when I was in 8th grade.
Thought it would be fun to rebuild the detector.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Aquarium
controller - simple
system to control lighting and heat for two aquariums and provide GFCI
protection. I used the same WebControl PLC as in several other projects.
[PDF]
[HTML] |
Outdoor LED
lighting control -
Fourth home automation project. Integrated multiple 12V LED floodlights
and Passive IR (PIR) sensors around the house and outbuilding. This
project is hardwired, it does not use a programmable controller. [PDF]
[HTML] |
Window
opener & exhaust fan controller
- Third home automation project. Used the same WebControl PLC as in the wood
heat and greenhouse designs to open/close clearstory awning window and
control exhaust fans.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Leakage
current adapter
- Simple device to measure appliance/tool leakage current and
tests safety ground under high current to insure it is functioning properly.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Whirligig
- Salvaged CD/DVD drive bearing improves performance of this
timeless yard ornament. [PDF] [HTML] |
Second
generation wood heat controller
- The
greenhouse controller ended up being so successful it motivated me to
redesign the original wood stove controller using the same WebControl PLC. Controller monitors flue temperate for safety,
controls house and fresh air intake fans and
manages wood stove hot water preheater to reduce winter electricity use.
Revised
10/12/2021 added plumbing leak detection and manual control of fans.
[PDF]
[HTML] |
Greenhouse
automation - Programmable logic controller (PLC) to manage greenhouse
summer ventilation and winter temperature. PLC has a web
interface allowing it to be managed by any device on the LAN. This paper describes the various features
and tradeoffs.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Solar
batch and wood stove water heating
- We significantly reduce our water heating cost with a solar batch heater
in summer and wood stove preheater in winter. This is a passive
system with low capital cost and ease of use as major design criteria.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Bathroom
fan timer - Over the years experimented with different ways to control bathroom
humidity. This paper discusses the pros and cons of each
method we tried.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Wood
heat controller
- In the 1980s when we built our house heating with wood was seen as rather quaint and limited
to rural poor. Today heating with cord wood or wood pellets is a cost
effective green energy technology. Paper describes purpose built
controller to increase safety and efficiency. Note: this unit has been
superceded by the 2nd generation
controller. [PDF]
[HTML] |
Outdoor
TV antenna
- Living in a fringe area places significant demands on TV reception. Paper
discusses criteria used to select antennas (VHF, UHF, FM), preamp and mounting
location to obtain best possible reception. November 2017 update: added
discussion of FCC repack plan as a result of the incentive auction and
next generation digital TV broadcast standard ATSC 3.0.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Future
of home networking - A few decades ago computer networks were the
province of large companies with well-funded IT departments. Internet
access was little known outside a small cadre of network professionals.
Advances in wired and wireless network technology have made small
residential LANs and Internet access the norm rather than the exception
today. This paper extrapolates from the last decade to predict how this
critical market with evolve.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Future
of building automation - The emergence of ZigBee and wireless mesh networks have become the driver of next generation building
automation systems by reducing cost and increasing functionality.
[PDF] [HTML] |
IP vs RF television - High speed
internet access creates an alternative TV
delivery method. Where adequate bandwidth exists IPTV is capable of a much
richer suite of services that either Cable or over-the-air TV. IPTV
leverages internet infrastructure eliminating the need to build a
dedicated video distribution network.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Commercial
peer-to-peer distribution - There is much hand ringing by the music
and movie industry that internet peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing will be
the death of artistic expression rather than an exciting opportunity to
lower distribution cost. This paper proposes a P2P mechanism for
commercial content distribution that compensates artists, provides
incentives for customers to play by the rules while dramatically reducing
distribution cost.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Do third
party ISPs facilitate broadband competition? - One of the more
controversial aspects of broadband is the power exercised by first-mile
network owners over third party ISPs and the regulatory requirements to
share these facilities. This paper argues for a different approach.
First-Mile networks should provide common carriage - transparent IP
delivery. This allows application developers and ISPs to operate at the
network edge independent of physical connection.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Effect
of ISP business practices on home networks - Broadband ISPs
are adopting restrictive measures that violate the cherished notion
transparent data delivery. This business strategy has profound
effects on home networks. This paper was written to provide background
information as part of the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA) Versatile
Home Network (VHN) and International
Standards Organization (ISO) Residential
Gateway (RG) standards activity.
[PDF]
[HTML]
|
The
Rise of information gatekeepers - The internet was designed as a
transparent end-to-end delivery network. This cherished concept is
threatened by gatekeepers attempting to control how customers use the
First-Mile access network.
[PDF] [HTML] |
Open
Letter to Senators Leahy, Hatch and Congressman Coble opposing
Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA)
[PDF] [HTML] |
MG Sports Car stuff for sale - I have been a fan of MG sports cars since the 1960's. Over that time
have amassed cars and memorabilia. Trying to winnow collection down
and am selling the following items.
MG Sales Literature and Books
- mostly 1962-1980 MGB |