WLAN In Disaster and Emergency Response (WIDER) MidTerm Presentation

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 2 Team Members Konstantinos Avgeropoulos Gerhard Caspar Khurram Jahangir Khan Ming-Shuang Lang Xiaoying Wang

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 3 Presentation Overview Introduction End-user study Network design Network Services Current status and next steps Conclusion

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 4 Introduction - Background Ericsson Response started its operation in order to provide Humanitarian Relief Organizations with communication facilities in disaster areas. WIDER project initiated to provide an integrated communications solution providing Internet connectivity. The project gained attention by international telecommunications and humanitarian organizations. (ITU, Red Cross and others)

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 5 Motivation Operations performed by Humanitarian Relief Organizations increased in size and frequency. Contemporary communication (mainly voice) is not efficient in many cases. Data communications needed. Satellite links used even for local calls. Waste of resources. Need for Internet access and related services (e.g. e- mail, Web browsing etc)

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 6 Project Goal and Outcome Purpose: To design and implement a complete, reliable and efficient communication solution for Humanitarian Relief Organizations operating in disaster sites. Main outcome: An Ericsson Response Unit (ERU) containing equipment and instructions on how to deploy and operate the communications system.

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 7 End-user study The main reason for the creation of the WIDER network is to facilitate relief workers. End-users should be thrilled by the project and it’s benefits. Only this way will the project be successful.

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 8 Getting to understand end-user needs Through understanding how relief organizations work today….. Interviews with relief workers Studies of available written material on emergency telecommunications ….we can find out how to facilitate their work Predicting what applications will be most useful Understand requirements on robustness and redundancy Implement “treats” to trigger the use of the WIDER network

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 9 Key findings and their implications  End users are normally not technicians System must be Plug and Play – configuration and management should be hidden from end users. System must be reliable and fail safe – end users are likely to give our system only one chance. If it doesn’t work – they will be reluctant to use it again.  Security requirements are high High level of security must be implemented

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 10 Key findings and their implications  And most importantly..... Communications today are mainly covered by radio, i.e. Voice, which has many disadvantages WIDER project will be useful to relief workers since it complements the voice communications with written communications through , instant messaging and file transfer, and Bulletin Boards

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 11 Design Principles Simplicity Local traffic local Mobility Security Cost

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 12 Network Overview

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 13 Network Architecture

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 14 Design Benefits Enhanced Security –VLANs –802.1x for WLAN users –Authentication and Authorization based on RADIUS Maximum Mobility –Dynamic VLANs for mobile users Easier Administration Scalable

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 15 Concerns Software configuration on client side License required for 802.1x software Support for 802.1x and 802.1q on switches WLAN Security Propagation delay on the satellite Link

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 16 Network Services Network Connectivity Internet Instant Messaging FTP Bulletin Board

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 17 Project Status Where are we now? Equipment Workspace

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 18 Next Steps – Implementation and Testing Make good use of the workspace. Set up equipment, access points, directional antennas, satellite link, etc. Configure components: Mini-GSM, GPRS interfaces, main router, VLANs, servers, etc Testing according to different testing scenarios

WIDER project - MidTerm presentation 19 Conclusion The project seems to be on the right track. Team members excited with what they learn. Project offers real life experience. Still a long way to go. Time management essential. Confidence in our ability.

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