I'm a third year EPSRC funded PhD student at Lancaster University. I'm currently investigating methods of allocating networking resources within community networks to benefit all users, and empowering users within those communities to make informed decisions about their network use.
Published Papers
Reconciling Community Resource Requirements in U-Nets
In: Proceedings of the 1st ACM Workshop on User-Provided Networking: Challenges and Opportunities (Rome, Italy, December 01 - 01, 2009). U-NET '09.
Abstract
A challenge for future user-provided networks will be reconciling potentially conflicting demands for a finite resource, such as network bandwidth. In this position paper, we discuss how this problem is tackled in an operational community-driven wireless mesh network. A key outcome of this discussion is that, although the approach that has evolved is not ideal, it allows the reconciliation of conflicting demands for use of the shared network to reflect communal concerns; a property we believe is essential to its success, and that of user-provided networks. We argue that user-driven distributed arbitration of requests for resource is necessary in a user-provided network, and via a simple abstraction we discuss design options to enable this. The consequences of incorrect design decisions could negatively impact a network and its community of users. To help us make appropriate design decisions, we could look to scientific methods, such as game theory. However, we find them unable to model the intricacies of communal life, leading us to suggest it is necessary to stop considering users as anonymous rational persons and to start factoring in their personalities and beliefs.
Towards Resilient Community Wireless Mesh Networks
In: Second International Conference on Autonomous Infrastructure, Management and Security (AIMS 2008), Bremen, Germany. LNCS 5127, Springer, 2008, pp 195-199
Abstract
Wireless Mesh Networks are an increasingly common technology providing connectivity in many communities, particularly where Internet access is unavailable or restricted via more conventional means. Their comparative ease of installation and relatively low cost makes this especially true for communities which might previously have lacked the technical knowledge or skill to attempt such an endeavour. In such a situation it is important that the operation of the network should be easily manageable; to this end the overall resiliency of the network is a key factor, enabling the network to resolve and remediate problems as they arise without requiring external technical understanding or input. This research aims to improve the resilience of community mesh networks by improving their security, initially examining the use of risk analysis techniques in this environment to identify potential attack vectors. This understanding will then be used to investigate intrusion detection techniques for operation specifcally in a community environment.
Deploying Rural Community Wireless Mesh Networks
In: IEEE Internet Computing, volume 12, number 4, pp 22-29, July-August 2008
Abstract
The lack of adequate Internet provision in rural areas is widening the digital divide between town and country. This is proving detrimental to social communcation as well as the advancement of rural businesses. Technologies including wireless mesh networking provide an excellent framework on which broadband services can be delivered into deeply rural locations, where there is currently little or no infrastructure to offer such a service. This paper details the technical and social experiences encountered during the deployment of a wireless mesh networking infrastructure to the village of Wray, a rural area in the North West of England. We outline the original wireless design, describe the active technical implementation and give a performance analysis of the network in place. We also discuss the social and cultural implications of deploying this technology into the heart of the local community.
Towards an Understanding of Security Concerns within Communities
In: Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Computing, Networking and Communication (WIMOB 2008). October 12-14 2008.
Abstract
This paper documents some of the soci-technical issues involved in developing security measures for a community environment, looking at the users of a wireless mesh network deployed within a rural village in north west England. We adopy an interdisciplinary methodological approach in eliciting requirements to analyse the success of treating a community as an 'organisation' and implementing an approach, an OCTAVE method: in its original form designed to uncover security elements for business. Using a focus group technique we chart some of the assets and security concerns of the community members, leading to a greater understanding of people's perceptions of security, both personally and within the community, and the role of security in their regular computer usage.