From: Matt Birkholz Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:30:17 +0000 (-0700) Subject: Expand on our reasons for using a cloister Wi-Fi AP. X-Git-Url: https://birchwood-abbey.net/git?a=commitdiff_plain;h=2f28fc7debf3f7753b5d63b1e83200a81ffd0760;p=Network Expand on our reasons for using a cloister Wi-Fi AP. --- diff --git a/README.org b/README.org index 513f940..17d75c2 100644 --- a/README.org +++ b/README.org @@ -1445,22 +1445,31 @@ Wi-Fi access point. An Ethernet adapter add-on (ordered separately) was installed on the Starlink cable, and a second USB-Ethernet dongle on Gate. The adapters were then connected with a cross-over cable. -The abbey could have avoided buying a separate campus Wi-Fi access +The abbey could have avoided buying a separate cloister Wi-Fi access point, and used Starlink's Wi-Fi instead, with or without its add-on Ethernet interface. Instead, the abbey invested in a 2.4GHz-only Think Penguin access point, and connected it to a third Ethernet -interface on Gate. - -This was preferred for a number of reasons. Using the add-on Ethernet -interface allowed Starlink's Wi-Fi to be disabled, reducing the Wi-Fi -clutter in the campground ether. Starlink is not always available. -(It does not work well under trees.) A dedicated campus Wi-Fi is -always available. The password to the campus Wi-Fi is long and -complex and has been laboriously entered into several household IoT -devices. The Think Penguin access point is transparent, trustworthy -hardware that has earned a Respects Your Freedom certification (see -[[https://ryf.fsf.org/]]). And most importantly, a campus Wi-Fi keeps -campus network traffic out of the hands of the abbey's ISPs. +interface on Gate. This was preferred for a number of reasons. + +The abbey uses ISPs other than Starlink, tethering to a cellphone when +under trees, or even limping along on campground Wi-Fi where the land +of woven trees has cut off even cell service. + +The abbey uses long and complex passwords, especially on public +facing services like Wi-Fi. Such a password has been laboriously +entered into several household IoT devices. Connecting them to a +dedicated, ISP-independent cloister Wi-Fi access point ensures a +reliable IoT with zero re-configuration. + +Using Starlink's add-on Ethernet interface allowed its Wi-Fi to be +disabled, reducing the Wi-Fi clutter in the campground ether. + +The Think Penguin access point is transparent, trustworthy hardware +that has earned a Respects Your Freedom certification (see +[[https://ryf.fsf.org/]]). + +And most importantly, a dedicated and trustworthy cloister Wi-Fi keeps +at least our local network traffic out of view of our ISPs. ** Alternate ISPs