OpenWiFi : a consumer WiFi sharing system

Abstract

This thesis describes the design, implementation and evaluation of OpenWiFi, a consumer WiFi-sharing system. OpenWiFi aims to allow owners of WiFi access points (APs) to function as private internet service providers. The OpenWiFi model combines WiFi access facilities owned by participating individuals or businesses under a virtual network operator who offers internet access from these facilities to clients who subscribe and pay for the service. The major problems in designing and implementing OpenWiFi include providing secure separation between private users of home networks from paying clients, developing a billing model that guarantees correct and fair payments when both clients and AP owners are untrusted and generalizing our mechanisms so that OpenWiFi may operate on hetergenous underlying hardware and software. We solved these problems with simple, clean procedures implemented at wireless APs and at a central Open-WiFi server that require no client modification. We conducted a number of static and mobile experiments, the result of which show that OpenWiFi is usable by roaming users who do not move continuously as well as high mobility users who connect from automobiles traveling at vehicular speeds.