Running an ISP in a Warzone

musatov writes "SGT Coughanour, David A (HHC 1-110th Infantry US Army) speech on NOTACON 3: "Right now I am currently serving in Iraq where I run IT operations for a small chunk of the Sunni triangle. One of the major projects that we have accomplished here is setting up an ISP that supports 350 subscribers. It has also survived multiple mortar attacks, and is built entirely on Linux." Download video (80 MB QuickTime) Requires latest QuickTime installed. A mirror is available for people to download it."

i also ran an ISP in the sunni triangle

[Anonymous Coward]

I was stationed at Camp Taqaddum for about 10 months in 2005. The MWR internet center was across camp a few miles so I decided to set up my own satellite based connection. Peak usage was about 80 soldiers and marines, fed off of multiple wireless APs.

The ability to be in constant communication with family while we were not out on missions (we did security patrols of our Area of Operation) was a great boost to morale. Web cams and email meant you could see and talk to the people that mattered most to you.

We sold the operation to another unit just before we left, and there were 3 other systems I helped set up in our area serving other groups.

To the current soldiers, marines, and others at Camp Taqaddum: Give 'em Hell and keep your buddyies safe!

Additional Mirrors

[c0nman]

Here are a few mirrors to use up. I'll probably bring them down after a few TB of transfer...

New Jersey
http://www.def-con.org/~nocfed/downloads/notacon06 _hajjinet.mp4 [def-con.org]

Texas
http://www2.def-con.org/~nocfed/downloads/notacon0 6_hajjinet.mp4 [def-con.org]

Re:Lol, runs on Linux

[OmegaBlac]

I realize parent was modded funny, but mplayer (with up to date codecs) will play the video just fine. VLC on my Debian box can play it somewhat with audio intact, but the video is fuzzy.

Re:'Linux under mortar'

[Anonymous Coward]

No, its VxWorks. See link here: (http://www.windriver.com/portal/server.pt?space=O pener&control=OpenObject&cached=true&in_hi_ClassID =512&in_hi_OpenerMode=2&in_hi_ObjectID=371 [windriver.com])

Re:Computers need the electrical grid to work.

[thryllkill]

Yeah, you know, cause the guy who is trained to set up and administrate ISP level networks also has a job designing and implementing power grids. He's kind of a "do all" dude. That's what makes the army so cool.

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