June 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes

Range Test Report:

Results of last Saturday's test was discussed but already covered in a previous email, minus my lessons learned.

After all the work and hassle that goes into reaching a site, setting up, configuring and connecting, I find it next to impossible to remember the tests we had in mind doing in any degree of detail. So for future tests, we should really write down, or script, a test regimen well in advance so we can be sure to cover the important items once we're on the air. Post suggestions on what to include beyond the Ubiquity speed test and basic ping. And anyone interested in scripting those ideas, please do.

VoIP:

There also seems to be a consensus that we should get better acquainted with VoIP and have it configured in advance so as to give us a better qualitative evaluation of our connections as part of our test regimen. The ear is pretty quick to pick up anomalies that we don't easily spot when looking at numbers.

Andy (IP Andy, rather than me, Layer 0 Andy) offered to bring a carrier grade SIP call manager from his home collection to the next meeting for a hands on opportunity to configure our clients and learn how to work with it. If you have any soft or hard client equipment you would like to try out, bring it next month. For the future, he has offered to set it up in the Layer 42 rack for remote external experimentation.

Future Sites:

We have narrowed down our interest in water tower sites for our next tests and install to Regnart Canyon and Upper North which have the best views of downtown (County and SJ EOC) as well as L42.

Upper North is only 10 km from L42 compared to the 7.5 we tested Saturday, so quite a bit closer than the 16 km from LAH and thus much lower risk. It also includes a likely view of Crown Plaza if that's any use. The water towers are also more promising when it comes to permanent install. LAH, being a residence, is better suited to temporary tests.

Regnart, though farther from county EOC, is still closer than LGH and is also quite close to Cupertino EOC and may possibly view Sunnyvale EOC also.

Craig and Andy Brown will scout out these two sites Friday and take pictures.

San Jose Water

San Jose Water indicated that they would have a much easier time granting us access if we could install as much of our equipment -outside- of their secured perimeter as possible. We are imagining something like a lock box to house at least the server and power so we could get to them without privileged access. Their security concerns are understandably high. After the scout trip, we can study the lock box idea and Craig will pursue permission to install.

-- Main.randomandy - 12 Jun 2009