Main Page Draft: Difference between revisions
// via Wikitext Extension for VSCode |
// via Wikitext Extension for VSCode |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
{{Lead|44Net provides publicly routable IP address space for amateur radio operators who want to learn, experiment, and operate their own networked systems.}} | {{Lead|44Net provides publicly routable IP address space for amateur radio operators who want to learn, experiment, and operate their own networked systems.}} | ||
= What 44Net Is = | |||
[[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.]] | <!-- [[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 a shared pool of Internet address space set aside for experimentation, learning, and community-built infrastructure. It lets individuals and groups run systems that are directly reachable on the Internet using a stable public IP address, just like traditional Internet hosts and services, without needing to use private address space behind NAT. | '''44Net''' is a shared pool of Internet address space set aside for experimentation, learning, and community-built infrastructure. It lets individuals and groups run systems that are directly reachable on the Internet using a stable public IP address, just like traditional Internet hosts and services, without needing to use private address space behind NAT. | ||
44Net predates the Internet as we know it today, and its history is worth exploring; see [[About 44Net]] for background and origins. | 44Net predates the Internet as we know it today, and its history is worth exploring; see [[About 44Net]] for background and origins. | ||
= What Happens Here = | |||
People come to 44Net with different goals. Some want to access a system remotely; others join community projects or build networks of their own. Rather than one prescribed setup, 44Net offers several practical paths to participation. | |||
{{CardGrid| | |||
| 1 = | |||
{{CardGrid_Card| | |||
| heading = Personal station and home services | |||
| body = <p>Remote access to stations, self-hosted services, and always-reachable endpoints</p> | |||
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 1em;">In Practice:</p> | |||
[http://yo2loj.ampr.org YO2LOJ] operates a page with resources for 44Net users and other amateur radio enthusiasts. | |||
}} | |||
{{CardGrid_Card| | |||
| heading = Shared infrastructure | |||
| body = <p>Repeaters, gateways, and group-operated systems with stable public addressing</p> | |||
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 1em;">In Practice:</p> | |||
[[IRLP|The Internet Radio Linking Project]] is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net. | |||
}} | |||
{{CardGrid_Card| | |||
| heading = Routed and experimental networks | |||
| body = <p>Overlay networks, inter-site links, and BGP-operated subnets for advanced operators</p> | |||
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 1em;">In Practice:</p> | |||
[[IRLP|The Internet Radio Linking Project]] is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net. | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] for more examples and build paths. | |||
= How to Get Involved = | |||
== Join a Project == | |||
You do not need to start alone. Many people begin by joining a network or project already operating on 44Net. This is a great way to get familiar with how things work and connect with others who share your interests. See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] for examples of projects and communities. | |||
== Start a Project == | |||
If you want to build something yourself, you can start with a single system or a small subnet. You do not need to operate a large network or have deep routing experience to take part. Curiosity and a willingness to try things are enough to get started. | |||
{{CardRow| | {{CardRow| | ||
| Line 35: | Line 74: | ||
| <p>Many participants also connect through community‑run projects that use 44Net. Various groups operate regional networks, shared gateways, wireless links, VPN services, and experimental setups. Joining one of these community-led efforts is a great way to get involved without building from scratch. See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] and [[Contributing|Ways to Participate]].</p> | | <p>Many participants also connect through community‑run projects that use 44Net. Various groups operate regional networks, shared gateways, wireless links, VPN services, and experimental setups. Joining one of these community-led efforts is a great way to get involved without building from scratch. See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] and [[Contributing|Ways to Participate]].</p> | ||
}} | }} | ||
= Experiment Freely = | = Experiment Freely = | ||
Address space on 44Net is meant to be used, explored, and learned from. You are not "using it up" by trying something. If a project ends or you decide not to continue, returning a subnet is simple, and requesting space again later is okay. Many participants adjust, exchange, or return allocations as their interests change. | Address space on 44Net is meant to be used, explored, and learned from. You are not "using it up" by trying something. If a project ends or you decide not to continue, returning a subnet is simple, and requesting space again later is okay. Many participants adjust, exchange, or return allocations as their interests change. | ||
= Share Stewardship = | |||
= Stewardship | |||
44Net is operated through a mix of community participation and organizational stewardship. ARDC provides long‑term care of the address space and supporting infrastructure, while participants build and operate their own systems and help one another. | 44Net is operated through a mix of community participation and organizational stewardship. ARDC provides long‑term care of the address space and supporting infrastructure, while participants build and operate their own systems and help one another. | ||
Revision as of 23:02, 19 February 2026
44Net provides publicly routable IP address space for amateur radio operators who want to learn, experiment, and operate their own networked systems.
What 44Net Is
44Net is a shared pool of Internet address space set aside for experimentation, learning, and community-built infrastructure. It lets individuals and groups run systems that are directly reachable on the Internet using a stable public IP address, just like traditional Internet hosts and services, without needing to use private address space behind NAT.
44Net predates the Internet as we know it today, and its history is worth exploring; see About 44Net for background and origins.
What Happens Here
People come to 44Net with different goals. Some want to access a system remotely; others join community projects or build networks of their own. Rather than one prescribed setup, 44Net offers several practical paths to participation.
Personal station and home services
Remote access to stations, self-hosted services, and always-reachable endpoints
In Practice:
YO2LOJ operates a page with resources for 44Net users and other amateur radio enthusiasts.Repeaters, gateways, and group-operated systems with stable public addressing
In Practice:
The Internet Radio Linking Project is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net.Routed and experimental networks
Overlay networks, inter-site links, and BGP-operated subnets for advanced operators
In Practice:
The Internet Radio Linking Project is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net.See What People Build on 44Net for more examples and build paths.
How to Get Involved
Join a Project
You do not need to start alone. Many people begin by joining a network or project already operating on 44Net. This is a great way to get familiar with how things work and connect with others who share your interests. See What People Build on 44Net for examples of projects and communities.
Start a Project
If you want to build something yourself, you can start with a single system or a small subnet. You do not need to operate a large network or have deep routing experience to take part. Curiosity and a willingness to try things are enough to get started.
The right starting point depends on what you want to build and how deeply you engage with networking.
Most participants use one of three approaches: 44Net Connect, IPIP Mesh, or BGP-announced subnet.
A WireGuard-based system designed to provide the shortest path to your first packet.
A community-driven network built on IP-in-IP tunnels, used for learning and experimentation.
A 44Net subnet can be announced to the global Get Started with BGP-Announced Subnets →
Many participants also connect through community‑run projects that use 44Net. Various groups operate regional networks, shared gateways, wireless links, VPN services, and experimental setups. Joining one of these community-led efforts is a great way to get involved without building from scratch. See What People Build on 44Net and Ways to Participate.
Experiment Freely
Address space on 44Net is meant to be used, explored, and learned from. You are not "using it up" by trying something. If a project ends or you decide not to continue, returning a subnet is simple, and requesting space again later is okay. Many participants adjust, exchange, or return allocations as their interests change.
44Net is operated through a mix of community participation and organizational stewardship. ARDC provides long‑term care of the address space and supporting infrastructure, while participants build and operate their own systems and help one another.
If you are interested in how decisions are made or how to participate more deeply, see About 44Net, Governance, Policies, and Contributing.
Status of this Documentation
This documentation is actively evolving. Some areas are well established, while others are being reorganized or expanded as new tools and participation models develop.
Next Steps
If you are ready to continue, these are common next steps:
- Choose your first path and get connected: Getting started
- Compare path fit before you configure anything: Ways to Connect
- Sign in and manage requests: Portal sign-in
- Understand context and stewardship: About 44Net
- Explore use cases and examples: What People Build on 44Net
- Build and operate your network: DNS and naming and Routing and connectivity
- Contributing knowledge, tools, or support: How to get involved