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Musenki's Linux-Based AP Ships To Beta Customers
An Anonymous Coward writes: "Austin, TX based Musenki ('musenki' means 'small wireless gadget' in Japanese) is poised to ship beta units of its first product -- the M-1 wireless access point that uses Linux. Pretty cool device that has open architecture and can be modified to accomodate growing 802.11 standards. Says they could have not have done it without open source community."
BOOM!
sig - .
I got another first post of motherfucking goodness. I can hardly believe my good luck!
Get it in you!
Oh well, back to dowloading pr0n...
Pr0n K1ng
That shit is for faggots only. If you've never shot your load up into a girl's Fallopian tubes, you're still a virgin in my book. Fucking a girl while wearing a condom is no better than jerking off into a sock.
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P.S. Bite! You've been bitten by the Original AIDS Monkey! You have AIDS now!
Can it be? Is this company really attributing some of its success to the open source community? While this is not like a company like Intel or HP saying they couldn't have done something without the help of the open source community, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Once we get the proper recognition, we will be on our way to attaining mainstream popularity.
You all sux0r my cox0rs!
Hey, kid... wanna touch my "kernel patch"?
-- Alan Cox
Back in November of 2000, Jim Thompson, Kem McClelland, Brad Martin, and Jamie Thompson started brainstorming about the idea creating a company to specialize on the emerging market for publicly accessible wireless access points. They reasoned that there would soon be a significant opportunity to supply devices to public access "hot-spot" providers, wireless ISP/infrastructure providers (WISPs), and various value added resellers (VARs).
Thompson and McClelland were both senior managers at WapPort, where they had both been frustrated by the inability to convince existing access point providers to modify their products for "hot-spot" features, or even to allow Wayport to have access to their source code so that Wayport could make the necessary modifications. So the two, joined by Brad Martin and Jamie Thompson, decided to have a go at it on their own.
"My original frustration when I was at Wayport, was that we couldn't get any of the existing access point manufacturers (Cisco, Lucent, Symbol, etc) to embed the features we needed to deploy an 802.11-based "Hot Spot" service," recalls Musenki CTO and founder Jim Thompson.
Roughly 18 months later, Austin, TX based Musenki ("musenki" means "small wireless gadget" in Japanese) is poised to ship beta units of its first product -- the M-1 wireless access point. The devices, which are scheduled to ship to customers next Monday (April 15, 2002), will be sent to developers, strategic technology partners, VARs who want to start integrating their own features, and some prospective major customers. Among the significant customer prospects being sent beta units are several regional wireless ISPs and mobile operators, according to McClelland.
McClelland describes Musenki as a developer of "secure, open-source wireless networking products" whose "software and high-performance equipment enable open development, bringing expandability and customization to the wireless LAN market." Indeed, the company's first device packs a lot of computing power in a very small space, by taking advantage of some of Motorola's highly integrated PowerPC-based system-on-chip processors running at speeds ranging from 200 to 400 MHz, along with high density RAM, built-in solid state disk (Flash memory), and internal expansion based on "miniPCI" modules. The use of built-in PCI expansion allows Musenki to configure its access points for a variety of wireless interfaces -- an important factor in an emerging technology-based market that has a long way to go before stabilizing.
According to McClelland, Musenki has incorporated several features into its wireless access points that are crucial to success in the public access market. These include tie-ins with external authentication and billing systems, roaming across various service provider networks, the ability to slot-in additional network-layer functionality such as VPN and protocol translation, and functions that enable the management of a large number of these devices disbursed over a large number of locations.
What's on the drawing board after the M-1 and M-3 wireless access points have made it into full production? According to McClelland, Musenki's plans include a number of technology and interface enhancements and upgrades, including . . .
- Client side devices (miniPCI/PC cards, particularly GPRS/802.11 combo cards)
- Mesh networking technology
- Technology for enabling seamless roaming, by means of cellular and WLAN networks
- Additional security features
- Integration with innovative antenna technologies
- Expansion of the platform beyond the WLAN market
Many of these will be accomplished through strategic technology partnerships.Building in power and flexibility
Jim Thompson characterizes Musenki's first product as a Linux-powered 802.11 access point: "Its open, so the customer can make it do what they want" So flexible, in fact that you could use it for other things. "Like a sexy small, high-performance router," according to Thompson. "Take the 802.11b NIC out and install one of several available miniPCI modules with crypto/compression chips, and now you've got a VPN router -- with compression -- that will run at 100Mbps."
Prototype of the M-1 access point
Here is a summary of the features of the embedded computers that are built into the M-1 and M-3 . .
M-1 specs . .
M-3 specs . .
Closeup of the M-1's internal single-board computer
"We feel that the additional CPU and the large memory resources are going to be more and more important as 802.11x (x = a, b, g) becomes the predominant method of client connectivity," points out Thompson. "In addition, as other 802.11 standards mature -- for example 802.11e Quality of Service, 802.11i security, 802.11f Inter Access Point Protocol, 802.11h Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), and Transmit Power Control (TPC) -- we will have the CPU power and architecture to allow us to incorporate these improvements, as well as the future increased bit-rates planned for 802.11a."
"Also, the minute you start thinking about 'mesh' routing, you need lots of memory and CPU resources," Thompson adds. "Consider a medium-sized city with 40,000 houses, all connected to each other via a wireless 'fabric' at 20Mbps or more."
"One could run an 802.11b (or 802.11g) NIC in one slot and an 802.11a NIC in the second slot and have a 'dual-mode' AP, with all the gateway features still enabled," explains Thompson. "Or you could use all three slots -- one slot of 802.11b for older clients, one slot of 802.11g for those clients, and one slot 802.11a. Or you could cover a coffee shop with 802.11b/802.11a and still bring a DSL, Cable, or T1 connection or even 802.11 'back-haul' out with one box, AND run the 'captive portal' on the same box."
Thompson explains that there are varied reasons for the Smart Card. "One of the most interesting is that if you're going to deploy this type of equipment into 'public access' venues, you need a way to both secure the contents against prying eyes -- and people who will dredge through your Flash -- as well as being able to potentially authenticate the equipment back to your billing system, if you're Wayport, Surf-n-Sip, VoiceStream/Mobilestar, Boingo, etc. We use the smart card for both of these, and more. Consider the use of Smart Cards in GSM phone or DBS satellite systems, and then apply same ideas here."
Embedded Linux inside
Musenki's wireless access points run a recent version of the Linux kernel (currently 2.4.18), along with other open source software.
"For Linux, we started with the PowerPC kernel sources from BitKeeper," says Thompson. For the bootloader, for example, they started with ppcboot sources and added 8245 support. "We've given all the code back to the community. Interestingly, I ended up supporting the 'Sandpoint8245' platform in the process."
"We did it all ourselves, with more than a bit of 'help' from the associated mailing lists," continues Thompson. "Linux mostly just 'runs', other than small bits of effort to get the on-chip serial ports working, and board-specific issues."
Why Linux?
"We see open source software as our greatest strategic advantage," says McClelland.
"Essentially, Linux lets us do what we want to do, because we have source -- stand on the shoulders of giants, and not pay royalties to Wind River," Thompson adds.
The development process wasn't without its "bumps in the road", explains Thompson. For example, the time he discovered that the Flash memory bus was wired backwards on the 'BBWISP' board. "This is one of the places where 'open source' ruled for us, because I just hacked support in for changing the 'endianess' of the Flash bus to an existing driver for the Flash chip we're using," he adds.
Thompson claims it took him about half a day to solve the Flash bus problem, thanks to the availability of Linux source code. "I can't imagine having to do that on VxWorks," he says.
According to Thompson, the following open source projects were valuable to Musenki in the development of its wireless access point products . . .
- PPCBoot
- PowerPC Linux kernel
- Busybox
- hostap
- uClibc (A glibc2 environment is also available)
- M.U.S.C.L.E (Movement for the Use of Smart Cards in a Linux Environment)
- open1x.org
In nearly every case we've had to fix something or add functionality. We always give the changes back.How will they cost, and how will they be sold?
Quantity one pricing for the M-1 (including 802.11b NIC, antenna, power supply, etc) will be $300, and the M-3 (similarly configured) will be $500, with quantity discounts available.
Beta units of the M-1 will go out on Monday, April 15th. Beta shipments of the M-3 are planned by the beginning of May. General availability of both should be by the end of June.
Initially, the units are being sold directly by Musenki, but the company is currently developing various sales channel relationships.
What's next for Musenki?
Musenki is currently staffed by six people (four founders plus a hardware and software engineer), along with consultants and part-time employees who have contributed to the open source, open architecture approach. Musenki is self-funded to date and is actively discussing additional financing with outside investors.
A company that openly admits they needed the open source community.. wow! Makes me smirk now to look at companies like LINDOWS, which are smothering and flaming the community-- hiding the source and ignoring them. Even slapping them in the face. Thanks, Musenki. You are a role model company.
I like karma. Feed me.
Spelt Musenski in title, rather than Musenki (I thought fo a arf a mo an old bud named Musenski (or was it Musinski, Bull Moose anyway) was in the biz.
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Does anyone know if they've included any extra security packages?
Seeing how WEP is basically an open door, I see no reason not to have ipchains installed and operational by default.
The software is there. Anyone know if they are using it? If not, it seems a bit a complete open door to these guys...
Dragging people kicking and screaming into reality since 1996.
so if someone tells me where I can host it quickly and easily then everyone will be able to see it after it gets /.'ed
moo.
Huh, it is somehow related to Linux, therefore it must be cool and must get a front page story on slashdot
The M-1? Well, they certainly aren't planning on creative naming schemes!
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It is with great sadness that I bring you this news: *BSD is dead.
:(
It was at 4:25am on the morning of April 15th 2002 that, after many failed attempts to resuscitate the dying OS, *BSD finally passed away. While *BSD has been in it's death throes for many months now and it's death has been forseen for many years, this is still a very sad moment; a great loss for OS dilettante dabblers and *BSD lovers the world over. Though *BSD has passed away, it will surely be fondly remembered for years to come by users, developers, and trolls alike. Even if you didn't enjoy using *BSD, there's no denying it's contributions to popular OS culture. Truly a Berkeley icon. It will be missed
I dont know about you, but I think I am going to try to get my hands on one of there, (ie, but one).
I am going to watch this closely becuase I think here we have a real test to see what happens when linux has a product that people can buy and cant simply download.
If they do well, I think we should use them as a example of how things really are going to go for linux.
Thanks for reading
Sigs are dangerous coy things
Wireless access, attributed to the nerds. I would like to know more of the details about the final product, but this is neat. It would be really nice if I could use this with a mac......But Linux is good enough. I would like to know what they embedded. The kernal? or other stuff too?
Sig (appended to the end of comments you post, 120 chars)
You just have to tell chicks that 'they can't get pregnant, the first time!', and rap-a-tap-tap-that-ass.
Excellent example of why the Japanese language kicks ass - they have a single word that means small wireless gadget. If only english was that cool...
I disabled linux stories for a reason and then I see something like this. What is the point of allowing to customize our homepages if you categorize things incorrectly like this. Please call this a "linux" topic next time so i don't have to see it.
The features seem good, but...
"Quantity one pricing for the M-1 (including 802.11b NIC, antenna, power supply, etc) will be $300, and the M-3 (similarly configured) will be $500, with quantity discounts available.
Beta units of the M-1 will go out on Monday, April 15th. Beta shipments of the M-3 are planned by the beginning of May. General availability of both should be by the end of June."
$300 or $500. And people complain Apple Airport Base Stations are overpriced at $300 MSRP, $270 or less (for quantity one pricing). The Musenski seems to be very cool, but with Linksys 802.11b access points at, what, $170 being touted as reasons to not but Airports, I can only hope they aren't priced higher than the market will bear.
I'll bet the founders would be real interested to know that NetBSD, OpenBSD, and now FreeBSD all run on the PowerPC. So there is just no reason to run the technically inferior linux Unix(tm) wannabe when you can run the real thing.
The open source community should focus on things that MS neglects.
http://www.b.150m.com/
mu = not
sen = wire
ki = device
I don't see 'small' in there..
In the proper context it alone means 'small wireless gadget'
c giwrap/jwb/ wwwjdic?1E
According to the search below, musenki just means wireless.
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/cgi-bin/
What was that reason? I figure that some reasons people might have for not seeing linux stories may not include stories like this one.
Can the open source comminity get Jedi Knight II running under Linux without massive framerate loss? Nopers.
All this talk about Natalie Portman too. You should be ashamed.
Also, I had your sister last night. In the pooper too!
"Says they could have not have done it without open source community."
Ah yes, but were they good little boys&girls, and contribute back?
(if that sounds sided, well, I guess it is...I'll be very happy to be wrong though)
Keep building these solutions!
Palo Alto Freenet
Every time a see a post by Timothy, there is some sort of error. The title of the story calls the company Musenski, but in the submission itself the company is referred to as Musenki. Notice the spelling difference. And I am supposed to pay for this crap.
Musenski must have better PR people, but don't forget about Soekris. They make network computers that include two slots for radios and one slot for hardware encryption, running *BSD or Linux.
I've been playing Medal of Honor: Allied Assault too much. :p
When I first saw M-1, I immediately thought of the M-1 Garand.
I suppose they both could be called wireless communication devices.
"Evil will always triumph because good is dumb." -- Dark Helmet
I love that they've done this on a shoestring, but the demands of deploying and supporting an end-user-device-cum-platform can crush a company. At a minimum, they'll need to issue patches in a form that can be installed without comprimising uptime, and VARs will demand "development kits" which are workable, documented, and supported.
Both of these are crucial. If even a few devices are hacked, you can kiss commercial adoption goodbye. If development requires too much time, the VARs will look for other platforms -- they tend to be small outfits without much time for puzzling out the source code. (I used to build development kits for well-funded OEMs, and even they rode us mercilessly for better documentation, support, and frequent updates.)
I hope they find a stable funding source and the best people they can. This is a worthy idea that deserves to work.
hey, somebody has posted the entire linuxdevices story as a thread -- that can't possibly be allowed by slashdot/OSDN guidelines! let's get this fixed asap, ok?
Actually, "musenki" means just "wireless device". I suppose you can assume it was small if you want to.
"Reactionaries must be deprived of the right to voice their opinions; only the people have that right." - Mao
Cool. This device uses Busybox and uClibc. These are very very cool projects for developing embedded systems. Of course I'm biased (busybox and uClibc maintainer hat on), but I had no idea these folks were building an AP with them. Looks pretty nice. I hope they send me a free one. ;-)
-Erik -- --This message was written using 73% post-consumer electrons--
A little larger (maybe) but still nice and small, with 3 Ethernet, CompactFlash, SSD, 486/100MHz based and more:
SoekrisBut: Why are these devices all so limited ? Honestly, I want all my Networking done in one box (Gateway,Firewall,Printserv,external Modem (FaxServ), wireless access-point, ethernet and HomePNA, no additional hubs/switches...I am at home, you know ?!
I know...
Hello?? Fred?! Is this you?
I would think the "classic" negation kanji would be "fu". "Mu" has more the meaning of "none" or "without". "Muteki" is literally "without rival", and "Muryou" "without fee".
[15:43] i only did it cuz of muh grandpa [15:43] > too bad he is dead huh [15:44] greatest man Ive ever known [15:44] > i am glad he is dead if it hurt you [15:44] > you deserve it
Just about all the wireless devices I've seen are really made for PC Card, aka PCMCIA and/or Cardbus, and if there's a PCI version, it's an adapter to plug their PCMCIA card in. At least one 802.11a manufacturer I talked to said that they weren't planning to do PCI and didn't think the other major players were either - if you want it, get a PCI-to-Cardbus adapter. So it's odd that a box made for the wireless gateway-frob market is using mini-PCI and the bigger one has PCI.
Bill Stewart
New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
MiniPCI is what's used to put the 'built in' ethernet and modems in most recent laptops... I think mostly so the manuf. only has to make one laptop-mainboard and then can slot in a modem or enet or wireless or whatever. In any case, MiniPCI wireless cards are generally as cheap or cheaper than PCMCIA/Cardbus cards...
--Z
It's in beta, so that means that they don't have to release the source, right?
Kevin
Says they could have not have done it without open source community.
;)
As it runs on Linux, I can imagine it could have been quite hard without the open source community...
http://www.cafwap.net/prism2ap
If you own a PRISM II chipset wireless card (DLink, Linksys, Zoom, Compaq, GemTek, SMC, etc) you can turn your linux box into an access point.
Or you can buy a PRISM II wireless card and build an access point for less than $40...
Does anyone know the source of the minipci card or the antennas they are using? I'd sure love to cram one of these cards into my soekris net4501 box :)
http://www.musenki.com/~jim/Musenki/
Pictures of the guts, how it works, etc...