Accidental Wireless Networks: An Initial Study
|
Sameer Verma sverma@sfsu.edu |
Paul Beckman pbeckman@sfsu.edu |
This research project
attempts to prove that there are community wireless networks in existence that
are formed accidentally as a result of consumer macro-behavior. Specifically, certain combinations of brand
and technology implementations can result in extensive and overlapping wireless
networks that allow users to roam seamlessly in residential neighborhoods.
We examined the distribution
of wireless nodes across three such residential neighborhoods. Our hypothesis is that a majority of these
wireless access points (APs) run on a small number of commercial brand devices
using default settings and no encryption.
Given a certain density, such nodes can overlap and provide, in effect,
a seamless community wireless network, purely by the accidental behavior of
individuals. The macro-behavior of
consumers gravitating toward inexpensive and popular brand devices allows such
networks to come about. Data analysis
shows interesting patterns of node distribution by Wi-Fi channel, commercial
brand, and configuration, including encryption settings.
Wi-Fi, Ubiquitous Computing,
Consumer Macro-Behavior
Presented at the 2004