Ways to Connect: Difference between revisions

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Ways to Connect}}
#REDIRECT [[Provisioning Methods]]
 
[[Category:Participation Methods]]
New here? Start with [[GetStarted|Getting started]].
 
There are several ways to bring 44Net to your device or network. Each method reflects a different networking environment rather than a level of experience. Some participants place 44Net on a single system behind NAT, others operate within shared community networks, and some integrate 44Net directly into independently operated infrastructure.
 
Choose the approach that fits best with your current setup.
 
== Choose your starting point ==
 
=== Single host or mobile deployment ===
'''[[44Net Connect/Quick Start|44Net Connect]]'''
 
The fastest way to put 44Net on a device or small network.
 
* Works from typical home networks, cloud hosts, or mobile devices
* Minimal setup; often requires no router changes
* Good for experimentation, hosting services, or learning how 44Net works
* Lets you route a small subnet if you want to grow beyond a single host
 
[[44Net Connect/Quick Start|Get started with 44Net Connect]]
 
----
 
=== Community or regional network ===
'''[[IPIP Mesh/Quick Start|IPIP Mesh]]'''
 
A long‑standing 44Net deployment model built around shared community routing.
 
* Connect independent stations into a shared routed environment
* Common in long‑running regional and club networks
* Traffic to and from the wider Internet typically transits shared gateways (such as UCSD)
* Well suited for persistent stations that participate in community infrastructure
 
----
 
=== Independently routed network ===
'''[[BGP/Quick Start|BGP-announced subnet]]'''
 
Integrate 44Net directly into an independently operated network.
 
* Announce 44Net routes using your existing routing infrastructure
* Maintain your own routing policy and operational practices
* Suitable for research networks, IX-connected operators, community backbones, and advanced deployments
* Emphasizes autonomy rather than centralized gateways
 
== Comparing the approaches ==
 
Use this table to decide which model matches how you want to participate.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Path
! Best when you…
! How your traffic reaches the Internet
! What you operate
|-
| 44Net Connect
| want a 44Net presence on one host or a small network, from almost any uplink (home, cloud, mobile)
| 44Net traffic is carried over a tunnel you operate from your host or router
| a tunnel endpoint you control; optional routing for a small routed subnet
|-
| IPIP Mesh
| want to participate in a shared community network (regional, club, collaborative)
| your traffic typically transits shared mesh gateways (such as UCSD) and can route within the mesh
| a mesh node that peers with other nodes; routing within the shared mesh
|-
| BGP-announced subnet
| already operate routable infrastructure and want to integrate 44Net directly into it
| your routes are announced via BGP as part of global routing (under your policy)
| your own routers, BGP edge, and routing policy for the subnet
|}
 
== Choosing the right fit ==
 
These connection methods coexist and serve different operational needs.
 
* '''44Net Connect''' places 44Net on an individual device or small network and works from almost anywhere.
 
* '''IPIP Mesh''' connects independently operated stations into a shared routing environment with community gateways.
 
* '''BGP‑announced subnets''' integrate 44Net into networks that already participate in Internet routing.
 
Many participants use whichever model fits their environment today. Some operate more than one at the same time.
 
== Under the hood ==
 
All connection methods ultimately place your systems into the same shared 44Net address space. The differences are operational: how routes reach you, where gateways exist, and who is responsible for routing decisions.
 
== Learn more ==
 
* [[GetStarted|Getting started]]
* [[Routing|Routing and connectivity]]
* [[CommunityProjects|Community projects]]

Latest revision as of 00:14, 1 March 2026