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I've been wondering lately if it's possible to have an Uber-style fiber service where people sign up to serve as nodes and then users pay a nearby node to conne

I've been wondering lately if it's possible to have an Uber-style fiber service where people sign up to serve as nodes and then users pay a nearby node to connect. This would skirt what seems to be the major roadblock to installing fiber -- city regulations -- by having too many people running improvised fiber lines to enforce the rules. Is this just not possible?

rocqua 10y ago
You'd need some kind of mesh network, rather than a tree network to get anywhere near enough reliability. I'd also guess that passing through a node might cause some slowdowns that kinda stack up. There still is a major privacy issue with peeps that are nodes. And maintenance is going to be a bitch. That said, those are all hypotheticals. Don't let my imagination stop anyone trying this.
- shambolic 10y ago
  > I'd also guess that passing through a node might cause some slowdowns that kinda stack up. Not really. Fiber has bandwidth to spare. It might add some latency tho, if there are a lot of hops. > There still is a major privacy issue with peeps that are nodes. Encryption is a thing. > And maintenance is going to be a bitch. Yes.
  - piker 10y ago
    Is it possible to encrypt the destination and source IP in a packet header? Honest question, and, if not, it seems like arbitrary nodes could monitor traffic to and from neighboring nodes and their source/destinations.
    - shambolic 10y ago
      Yes. There are various options from Layer 1 encryption to VPNs.
shambolic 10y ago
No, it is not possible. Unless you plan to do this purely on private property, you are going to have to negotiate and pay for access to public right of way. Also, even if you only did this on private property and did not cross any roads or other public spaces, you'd be SOL if your neighbor wasn't a node and they didn't feel like giving you permission to cross their property.
- hooloovoo_zoo 10y ago
  Interesting points, but I just wonder if there is sufficient will to stop large numbers of determined "drivers" from ignoring the rules. Uber drivers could be said to be violating rules, but Uber is still successful.
  - shambolic 10y ago
    Well, unless you bury your wires, sooner of later somebody is going to find out you did the dirty deed. Then all they have to do is follow the cable to your house and fine you.

rocqua 10y ago

You'd need some kind of mesh network, rather than a tree network to get anywhere near enough reliability. I'd also guess that passing through a node might cause some slowdowns that kinda stack up. There still is a major privacy issue with peeps that are nodes. And maintenance is going to be a bitch. That said, those are all hypotheticals. Don't let my imagination stop anyone trying this.

shambolic 10y ago
> I'd also guess that passing through a node might cause some slowdowns that kinda stack up. Not really. Fiber has bandwidth to spare. It might add some latency tho, if there are a lot of hops. > There still is a major privacy issue with peeps that are nodes. Encryption is a thing. > And maintenance is going to be a bitch. Yes.
- piker 10y ago
  Is it possible to encrypt the destination and source IP in a packet header? Honest question, and, if not, it seems like arbitrary nodes could monitor traffic to and from neighboring nodes and their source/destinations.
  - shambolic 10y ago
    Yes. There are various options from Layer 1 encryption to VPNs.

shambolic 10y ago

No, it is not possible. Unless you plan to do this purely on private property, you are going to have to negotiate and pay for access to public right of way. Also, even if you only did this on private property and did not cross any roads or other public spaces, you'd be SOL if your neighbor wasn't a node and they didn't feel like giving you permission to cross their property.

hooloovoo_zoo 10y ago
Interesting points, but I just wonder if there is sufficient will to stop large numbers of determined "drivers" from ignoring the rules. Uber drivers could be said to be violating rules, but Uber is still successful.
- shambolic 10y ago
  Well, unless you bury your wires, sooner of later somebody is going to find out you did the dirty deed. Then all they have to do is follow the cable to your house and fine you.