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{{DISPLAYTITLE:44Net: Build Networks Together with Public IP Space}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:44Net Main Page}}
__NOTOC__


{{Lead|44Net is a community of amateur radio operators building networks using publicly routable IP address space, from a single reachable host to routed networks.}}
{{Lead|44Net is a community of licensed radio amateurs using Public IP addresses to build networks.}}


= 44Net in Brief =
{{Deck|Connect a Raspberry Pi, run services for your club, or build a network. 44Net provides free IP address resources for licensed radio amateurs, with several ways to put them to use.
<!-- [[File:Network_map_illustration.png|thumb|right|400px|class=mw-thumb-card|44Net IP addresses are globally routable, enabling direct connectivity on the public Internet.]] -->
'''44Net''' is shared Internet address space stewarded for experimentation, education, and community-built infrastructure. It enables amateur radio operators and groups to run systems that are directly reachable on the Internet using stable public addresses.


44Net traces its origins to the early days of the Internet, when address space was set aside for amateur radio experimentation. That legacy continues today; see [[About 44Net]] for history and context.
You can connect through an existing network or project, or obtain addresses and arrange your own routing.}}


= What People Build =
'''[[#Find a way to connect|Explore ways to connect]]''' · '''[[#Build with 44Net resources|Get address resources]]'''


People use 44Net in many different ways. Some operate a single reachable system; others collaborate through shared projects or build networks of their own. There is no single "right" way to participate. Projects vary widely in scale and technical depth. What people choose to build determines how the network grows.
{{Section|variant=secondary|
=== Find a way to connect ===


{{CardGrid|
{{SectionLayout|min=16rem|gap=0.75rem|
  | 1 =  
{{SectionCard|
{{CardGrid_Card|
==== 44Net Connect ====
  | heading = Personal station and home services
'''Public IP addresses for your devices and networks'''
  | body = <p>Many participants begin by making a single system reachable: a home station, personal server, or experimental host available directly on the Internet.</p>
 
  <p style="font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 1em;">In Practice:</p>
Use a WireGuard tunnel over your existing internet connection to get a public 44Net address for your project.
  [http://yo2loj.ampr.org YO2LOJ] maintains a site sharing resources, tools, and information for 44Net users and amateur radio operators.
 
}}
[[44Net Connect|Get started with Connect →]]
{{CardGrid_Card|
  | heading = Shared infrastructure
  | body = <p>Groups use 44Net to operate shared systems: repeaters, gateways, and services maintained collaboratively and relied on by many operators.</p>
  <p style="font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 1em;">In Practice:</p>
  [[IRLP|The Internet Radio Linking Project]] connects repeaters and stations worldwide using publicly reachable systems built on 44Net addresses.
}}
{{CardGrid_Card|
  | heading = Routed and experimental networks
  | body = <p>Some participants build larger experiments: inter-site links, research networks, and independently routed infrastructure exploring how networks operate at scale.</p>
  <p style="font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 1em;">In Practice:</p>
  The [[Center for Applied Internet Data Analysis|CAIDA]] measurement infrastructure at UC San Diego receives a passive optical feed of global Internet traffic directed to 44Net address space, supporting large‑scale research on Internet traffic patterns and network behavior.
}}
}}
}}


See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] for more examples and build paths.
{{SectionCard|
==== IPIP Mesh ====
'''Connect with other participating amateur networks'''


= How People Participate =
Run a gateway that exchanges traffic directly with other Mesh gateways through IP-in-IP tunnels over the Internet.


People engage with 44Net in different ways. Some begin by joining existing efforts; others start something of their own. Both approaches are common, and participants often move between them.
[[IPIP Mesh|Explore the IPIP Mesh →]]
}}


{{CardRow|
{{SectionCard|
| title = Common paths into 44Net
==== Community projects ====
| 1 =
'''Find something interesting to join, use, or help build'''
<div style="grid-column: 1 / -1;">
People often find their way into 44Net by joining an existing effort, contributing to shared infrastructure, or creating something new. These paths are not sequential, and movement between them is common.
</div>


{{Card
Explore independently operated networks and projects, including regional radio networks and shared infrastructure.
|Join a Network
|body = <p>Many participants begin by connecting to an existing network or local effort. Regional RF networks, shared gateways, and community-operated infrastructure provide immediate ways to participate while learning how systems operate in practice.</p>


<p style="font-size:0.9em; text-transform:uppercase; margin-top:1em;">Examples:</p>
[[Projects|Browse networks and projects →]]
Local packet and microwave networks, regional mesh projects, and shared access systems operated by volunteer groups.
}}
}}
}}
}}


{{Card
{{Section|variant=primary|
|Contribute to a Shared Project
== Build with 44Net resources ==
|body = <p>Others participate by helping operate systems used by the wider community. Shared services, repeaters, research platforms, and infrastructure projects depend on volunteers who maintain, improve, and extend them.</p>
If you’re arranging your own connectivity through an ISP, transit provider, data center, or cloud, start with the resources you need.


<p style="font-size:0.9em; text-transform:uppercase; margin-top:1em;">Examples:</p>
{{SectionLayout|min=16rem|gap=0.75rem|
IRLP nodes, shared monitoring or DNS services, research collaborations, repeater linking systems, and community experimentation platforms.
{{SectionCard|
=== Address space ===
Request an assignment for your amateur radio network or project.
 
[[Portal/Request Address Space|About address assignments →]]
}}
}}


{{Card
{{SectionCard|
| Create Something New
=== Routing and BGP ===
| body = <p>Some participants begin by building something entirely new: a reachable host, a local RF deployment, an experimental network, or a research project. Many long-running parts of 44Net started as small individual experiments.</p>
Arrange to announce your assigned addresses directly to the Internet.


<p style="font-size:0.9em; text-transform:uppercase; margin-top:1em;">Examples:</p>
[[BGP|Using 44Net with your provider →]]
New club networks, independent routing experiments, novel services, or radio-linked systems exploring new technical ideas.
}}
}}
}}


When a participant is ready to run their own system, they can request address space and choose a connectivity approach that fits their project.
{{SectionCard|
=== DNS ===
Give your systems names under ampr.org or delegate DNS to your own servers.


{{CardRow|
[[DNS|DNS options and setup →]]
| title = Common ways projects connect
| 1 =
<div style="grid-column: 1 / -1;">Projects use different Internet connectivity approaches depending on what they are building. Most use one of three approaches: 44Net Connect, IPIP Mesh, or a BGP‑announced subnet.</div>
{{Card
  |44Net Connect
  |<p>A WireGuard-based approach that makes it easy to experiment with publicly reachable services using existing Internet connectivity.</p>
  <p>[[GetStarted#Get_Started_with_44Net_Connect|Get Started with 44Net Connect →]]</p>
}}
}}
{{Card
  |IPIP Mesh
  |<p>A community-operated mesh built with IP-in-IP tunnels, allowing independently run systems to interconnect across the Internet for experimentation and collaboration.</p>
  <p>[[GetStarted#Get_Started_with_IPIP_Mesh|Get Started with IPIP Mesh →]]</p>
}}
}}
{{Card
  |BGP-Announced Subnet
  |<p>Projects that operate their own routing infrastructure may announce 44Net address space using BGP, integrating directly with global Internet routing.</p>
  <p>[[GetStarted#Get_Started_with_BGP-Announced_Subnets|Get Started with BGP-Announced Subnets →]]</p>
}}
}}
}}
= A Culture of Experimentation =


44Net address space exists to be used. Experimentation is a normal part of participation. Many projects begin as small trials, change direction, or conclude once an idea has run its course.
{{Section|
== See what people are building ==
Explore remote stations, club services, radio networks, and experiments built by 44Net participants. Find ideas for your own project, learn from other operators’ work, or find out how you can contribute yourself.


Trying something does not "use up" the resource. If a project ends, returning or exchanging a subnet is straightforward, and participants are welcome to request space again later. When a project ends, make room for the next experiment.
[[What People Build|Explore participant projects →]]
}}


= Shared Stewardship =
{{Section|variant=secondary|
=== Already participating? ===
[https://portal.ampr.org/ Open the Portal] to manage your account, assignments, and records.


44Net is sustained through shared stewardship. ARDC provides long‑term care of the address space and supporting infrastructure, while participants build systems, operate networks, share knowledge, and help one another succeed.
[[:Category:Device and platform guides|Setup guides]] · [[Get Help|Troubleshooting and help]] · [[Community|Community discussions]] · [[Contributing|Contribute to this Wiki]]
 
}}
Stewardship is an outcome of participation. It grows out of the projects and communities that make use of 44Net. To learn more about how decisions are made or how to take part, see [[About 44Net]], [[Governance]], [[Policies]], and [[Contributing]].
 
= Keep Exploring =
 
Common next steps:
 
* Explore examples and existing efforts: [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]]
* Join or contribute to community projects: [[Contributing|Ways to Participate]]
* Start your own project: [[GetStarted|Getting Started]]
* Learn how connectivity approaches compare: [[Ways to Connect|Ways to Connect]]
* Manage requests and allocations: [https://portal.ampr.org/ Portal sign‑in]
* Dive deeper into infrastructure topics: [[DNS|DNS and naming]] and [[Routing|Routing and connectivity]]
* Understand history and stewardship: [[About 44Net|About 44Net]]
 
= Join the Conversation =


You do not need a project or subnet to participate in 44Net. Many people begin by simply listening and asking questions.
== About 44Net ==
[[ARDC|ARDC]] administers the 44Net address space and supports amateur networking through infrastructure, services, and project support. Participants operate their own systems and networks, including independent projects with their own teams and ways to get involved.


The community mailing lists and discussion spaces are where ideas are shared, projects take shape, and newcomers get a feel for how people are building and collaborating. Joining the conversation is often the easiest way to start.
This Wiki explains the available resources and projects and documents how to use them.


* Subscribe to community discussions: [[Community|Community and Mailing Lists]]
[[About 44Net|About 44Net and its history →]] · [[Eligibility|Eligibility]] · [[EULA|Terms of use]] · [[Archive|Earlier documentation]]
* Introduce yourself, ask questions, or follow ongoing projects
* Learn how others are experimenting and collaborating across the network


You are welcome to listen, ask questions, and take part.
[[Category:Explanation]]
[[Category:Getting Started]]

Latest revision as of 22:41, 30 September 2026


44Net is a community of licensed radio amateurs using Public IP addresses to build networks.

Connect a Raspberry Pi, run services for your club, or build a network. 44Net provides free IP address resources for licensed radio amateurs, with several ways to put them to use.

You can connect through an existing network or project, or obtain addresses and arrange your own routing.

Explore ways to connect · Get address resources

Find a way to connect

44Net Connect

Public IP addresses for your devices and networks

Use a WireGuard tunnel over your existing internet connection to get a public 44Net address for your project.

Get started with Connect →

IPIP Mesh

Connect with other participating amateur networks

Run a gateway that exchanges traffic directly with other Mesh gateways through IP-in-IP tunnels over the Internet.

Explore the IPIP Mesh →

Community projects

Find something interesting to join, use, or help build

Explore independently operated networks and projects, including regional radio networks and shared infrastructure.

Browse networks and projects →

Build with 44Net resources

If you’re arranging your own connectivity through an ISP, transit provider, data center, or cloud, start with the resources you need.

Address space

Request an assignment for your amateur radio network or project.

About address assignments →

Routing and BGP

Arrange to announce your assigned addresses directly to the Internet.

Using 44Net with your provider →

DNS

Give your systems names under ampr.org or delegate DNS to your own servers.

DNS options and setup →

See what people are building

Explore remote stations, club services, radio networks, and experiments built by 44Net participants. Find ideas for your own project, learn from other operators’ work, or find out how you can contribute yourself.

Explore participant projects →

Already participating?

Open the Portal to manage your account, assignments, and records.

Setup guides · Troubleshooting and help · Community discussions · Contribute to this Wiki

About 44Net

ARDC administers the 44Net address space and supports amateur networking through infrastructure, services, and project support. Participants operate their own systems and networks, including independent projects with their own teams and ways to get involved.

This Wiki explains the available resources and projects and documents how to use them.

About 44Net and its history → · Eligibility · Terms of use · Earlier documentation