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Red Hook’s Mesh Network: A Community-Managed System of Routers
Tevina Willis lived through Superstorm Sandy in 2012, seeing the devastating effect it had on her Red Hook neighborhood. She found respite at a local community center called Red Hook Initiative (RHI), which had electricity and internet access through a small, community-managed system of routers known as a mesh network.
Section 1: The Birth of Red Hook Initiative
Red Hook Initiative is a nonprofit organization that serves the residents of Red Hook, Brooklyn, with advocacy, job training, and youth leadership programs. One of the programs, called “digital stewards,” taught young residents technical skills, including creating video and audio stories about living in the neighborhood. With the hope of sharing these stories with more people in the community, Tony Schloss, RHI’s technology director at the time, purchased a radio transmitter and started broadcasting them from his home. However, this sparked an interest in mesh networks, which led RHI to build its own resilient network.
Section 2: What are Mesh Networks?
Wireless mesh networks differ from traditional Wi-Fi networks in that they’re a distributed, community-oriented approach to providing internet. Rather than having each device connect to a single router that’s connected to the internet, mesh networks are made up of interconnected routers that share the connection among them, creating resiliency and avoiding a single point of failure. This makes mesh networks capable of withstanding crises and disasters that could wipe out traditional internet infrastructure.
Section 3: The Benefits of a Community-Managed Mesh Network
Red Hook’s mesh network was a source of inspiration for other communities seeking to build their own networks that bucked the reliance on big corporations and conducted operations themselves. The network even attracted funding and media attention, but such support is often short-lived, and after a few years of outside aid, Red Hook’s mesh network saw its size shrink and became operated by a single company. Yet, the network continues to help the neighborhood, and has been especially helpful to Red Hook residents during the pandemic.
Conclusion:
Red Hook’s mesh network shows what can happen when a community comes together to build something that benefits everyone. It highlights the benefits of taking a community-managed approach to internet infrastructure and the resiliency of mesh networks in times of crisis. While the Red Hook mesh network may have faced setbacks, it remains a strong example of how communities can take control of their internet access.
FAQ:
1. What is a mesh network?
A mesh network is a distributed, community-oriented approach to providing internet using interconnected routers that share their connection among them.
2. What is the benefit of a mesh network?
Mesh networks are resilient in times of crisis and avoid a single point of failure, making them capable of withstanding disasters that could wipe out traditional internet infrastructure.
3. Can individuals set up their own mesh networks?
Yes, individuals and communities can set up their own mesh networks without having to rely on big corporations.
4. What happened to Red Hook’s mesh network after it attracted funding and media attention?
Red Hook’s mesh network attracted funding and media attention for a few years but saw its outside support dry up, resulting in its size shrinking and becoming operated by a single company.
5. How has Red Hook’s mesh network been helpful during the pandemic?
Red Hook’s mesh network has been especially helpful during the pandemic as residents rely heavily on the internet for work and school. The network provides a reliable and affordable internet connection for those who may have struggled to access it otherwise.
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