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From Global Persistent Network Initiative
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What
Global Persistent Network Initiative is an effort to bring together professionals from diverse disciplines but with the same goal - to create a standard (protocols/algorithms) for a persistent global network, the infrastructure for which would be owned by its users. The eventual goal is to unify all communications into the same decentralized network with the mobility of cellular networks, versatility of the Internet and the freedom of ad hoc networks.
Primary Goals
- Unification of communication networks
- Self-configuration and maintenance
- Wireless infrastructure with support for point-to-point links
- Decentralized addressing scheme
- Scalability
- Free (as in beer) user participation, except cost of hardware
Secondary Goals
- Compatibility with legacy software
- Anonymity
- Protocol extensibility
- Resistance to misuse
How
- Use of packet switching principle
- Use of wireless infrastructure would allow minimal set up time and cost
- Development of new kinds of protocols
- Use of as much of the spectrum as possible (provided that legal framework is put in beforehand)
- Use of hierarchical bandwidth and locality (more expensive hardware gets to use more benifits)
- Advocating to move current telecommunication services over to this new network
Why
One of the foremost reasons for setting up such a system is interoperability and simplification. The goal is to unify all communication networks and allow all communicating devices to use the same network and be able to talk to each other more easily.
Also, there is a philosophical reason. Human beigns have been able to communicate with each other freely since ages ago (provided that they are in the same place). There is simply no excuse why in this day and age with our advanced computing technology we can't do the same without paying someone to carry our messages. If we all conspire to have our hardware pass down each other's packets and develop protocols that self-manage the network then we would communicate freely.
Who
If you are interested in the idea and you have relevant skills and position you are urged to help move this project along. We need engineers, lawyers, and politicians, as well as enthusiasts and users in order to succeed in realizing this goal. Visit the forum to see where you might help.
You can also chat online with the IRC channel:
Network: irc.freenode.org
Channel: #gpni
Steps
1. Development of standard protocols
2. Introduction of relevant laws and reforms in major parts of the world
3. Implementation in hardware and introduction
Criticism
Many express their disapproval of this project's goal on the grounds that it would be 'impossible' to achieve or that it would not work. They may very well be correct for the time being, however, it is easier to dismiss the idea altogether than to move it into the realm of possibility.
Community Networks
Wireless mesh networks have existed for years, however, they do not achieve the goals proposed here.
