Ad hoc mesh networking in an emergency

3 comments

"It depends on how many nodes you're talking about. A minimal survivable radio network for emergency crews, the improvement of state emergency-management operation centers- these kind of steps are feasible. But when people start talking about a nationwide survivable network, I tell them, 'Welcome to what's called the ral world.' No one is going to pay for such a thing." --John Pike

It's true. Something that people are imagining- a totally fail-safe, hurricane proof communications infrastructure for hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people- just isn't possible today. eeTimes says that FEMA is talking about the possibility of ad hoc mesh networks. "Meshs are an important adjunct to a backhaul mix of microwave and fiber, but they're not a panacea."

Did you see the New Orleans boat rescue footage on Current TV? It was great television from the front lines. Even that reporter noticed the failures in communications and messaging.

Update- Did you see the rad Vonage-Saves-New-Orleans plug in the cover of this weekend's WSJ? Feature p1 story, At Center of Crisis, City Officials Faced Struggle to Keep in Touch.

Scott Domke... remembered that he had recently set up an Internet phone account with Vonage Holdings Corp... At 12:27am on Wednesday, Aug. 31, the mayor's inner circle made its first outside call in two days.