Slashdot Mirror
Semper WiFi
Roblimo writes "Armed Forces personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan increasingly use the Internet to communicate with their familes back home, but there are not nearly enough computers and connections for them. Lt. Phillip Geiger, Medical Officer with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, suggested using a privately-funded, long-range WiFi network to help troops stay in touch. The idea has grown from there, all funded privately with cash and equipment donations. Joe Barr has the details on NewsForge (which, like Slashdot, is part of OSTG)."
I want very much for our troops to be able to communicate with their families back home. It's good for morale both in the service and for their families. But the lack of security in a WiFi network, IMO could easily put those military forces in jeopardy. All it would take would be the wrong information packet-sniffed by the wrong person to cause danger to the soldiers there. Is it truly possible to make a WiFi network secure enough to avoid this?
Never look down your nose at others. Someday, someone is bound to see your boogers.
I did check it out though, and the term 'Semper Wi-Fi' was used previous to mean wireless Internet for Marines... by the Marine Corps itself. http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/B2C90 2831D9E2D8A85256E7D004BA4A5?opendocument
-- "A chicken is an egg's way of making another egg."
There is nothing much new in the setup they are proposing, perhaps the biggest thing is that they are proposing it.
I would suggest wireless dumb terminals with certificate based security, going through a WEP that is MAC configured and keeping a tabs on all terminals as much as possible.
No, the thing that shocks me is the reference to ehowa...
Governments spend unbelievable ammounts of money on military equiptment, can't some of it be appropriated to communications?
I thought 'battlefield' communications would be very good - I am utterly mystified how a country can have so many troops in a place and not have a solid redundant communciation netwrok that could be accessible to the troops.
Perhaps this could be an oppourtunity for some community aid? Let the students get involved in configuring the units (after all, we are talking email and video messaging, nothing secret?)
This may be nice.
#hostfile 0.0.0.0 primidi.com 0.0.0.0 www.primidi.com 0.0.0.0 radio.weblogs.com
Troop morale is an important issue - especially since many of these great people have been forced to be away from their families longer than originally planned.
If more frequent contact can be made, their morale will increase, and this leads to more effective troops.
If YOU wish to start a Rebuild Iraq fund, feel free to do so. Like a Habitat for Iraq-ity.
Our military is not supposed to rebuild Iraq (they are demolition/enforcement, not construction). The rebuilding is supposed to be done by the 'contractors' already hired (and a fine job they are doing, too).
Shhh, you're going to spoil the fun a friend of mine has been having.
When he shipped out earlier this year, he made sure to bring is entire war driving setup including cantenna... although when we do see him on it's always been from the local and legitimate network connection from where he is stationed.
Help Brendan pay off his student loans
When I was stationed in South Korea back in 1987, MARS was a great way for me to get information back to by wife and parents. My dad still talks about how nice it was to get a phone call from someone in town letting him know that I was doing OK. It even gave him the incentive to go out and get his ham radio license.
Oh, and I don't consider the grandparent a troll, it seems a valid point to me. If people are so concerned about rebuilding Iraq for freedom and prosperity, why not donate for that cause?
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
I can't respond to this with today's Army but I can tell you that for the most part, you are trusted and reminded to do the right thing. I was a communications specialist with the Army during the first gulf war and when we finally got in contact with an AT&T operator to allow calls back home over the radios we had, I had to remind the soldiers that any sensitive information they passed out could result in their death and that of their buddies due to us not knowing who was listening. Everyone seemed to heed that warning. The Army doesn't have a bunch of AOLers in their ranks.
Really enjoyed this young man's perspective on being overseas... www.ilovemyhazardpay.com
Hello Fellow Slashdotters,
My name is Michael and I'm a civilian contractor out here in Fallujah, Iraq working with the Marine Headqaurters in their Information Office. On my free time my roomate and I keep the current internet cafe running on base for a large number of Marines and service members.
I can tell you want is needed. There are over 20 internet cafes, which consist of one 1mb/512 satellite and 20 computers and 8 IP's phones. Some cafes have multiple satellites with this configuration. We have 3, which is 60 computers with webcams and IP phones.
The problem is that there was no support included with this package. Most cafe's are not working becasue there aren't any IT or computer geeks to keep them running. And if there are any Marines who could they are busy doing other things.
A wide wireless LAN is risky. The reason is Operational Security. Information is easier to leak if not controlled. So when a Marine sits down in the internet cafe we have signs posted and of course their background reminds them about OPSEC.
Also I have been looking for simple Internet Cafe software on Freshmeat and other places but have not found a good solution.
Currently we are reworking the contract. We are going to use this Internet cafe as a template for all others. I would LOVE suggestions from the Slashdot community on what they think. Please drop me an email or IM on your thoughts.