Revision as of 00:58, 20 February 2026

44Net is a community of amateur radio operators building networks using publicly routable IP address space — from a single reachable host to shared infrastructure and routed networks.

44Net in Brief

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.

What People Build

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.

Personal station and home services

Many participants begin by making a single system reachable: a home station, personal server, or experimental host available directly on the Internet.

In Practice:

YO2LOJ maintains a site sharing resources, tools, and information for 44Net users and amateur radio operators.

Shared infrastructure

Groups use 44Net to operate shared systems: repeaters, gateways, and services maintained collaboratively and relied on by many operators.

In Practice:

The Internet Radio Linking Project connects repeaters and stations worldwide using publicly reachable systems built on 44Net addressing.

Routed and experimental networks

Some participants build larger experiments: inter-site links, research networks, and independently routed infrastructure exploring how networks operate at scale.

In Practice:

The 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 on 44Net for more examples and build paths.

How People Participate

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.

Join a Project

Many participants begin by joining a project already operating on 44Net. Regional networks, shared gateways, research collaborations, and local experiments offer ways to learn alongside others and contribute to ongoing work.

Start a Project

Others begin by creating something new: a reachable host, a small subnet, or an independent experiment. Projects often start small and grow as interests develop. Prior routing experience is not required.

Common ways projects connect

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.

44Net Connect

A WireGuard-based approach that makes it easy to experiment with publicly reachable services using existing Internet connectivity.

Get Started with 44Net Connect →

IPIP Mesh

A community-operated mesh built with IP-in-IP tunnels, allowing independently run systems to interconnect across the Internet for experimentation and collaboration.

Get Started with IPIP Mesh →

BGP-Announced Subnet

Projects that operate their own routing infrastructure may announce 44Net address space using BGP, integrating directly with global Internet routing.

Get Started with BGP-Announced Subnets →

Community Projects

Many participants work through community‑run projects that use 44Net. Regional networks, shared gateways, wireless links, VPN services, and experimental systems provide ways to participate without starting from scratch. See What People Build on 44Net and Ways to Participate.

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.

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.

Shared Stewardship

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.

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 on 44Net
Join or contribute to community projects: Ways to Participate
Start your own project: Getting Started
Learn how connectivity approaches compare: Ways to Connect
Manage requests and allocations: Portal sign‑in
Dive deeper into infrastructure topics: DNS and naming and Routing and connectivity
Understand history and stewardship: 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.

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.

Subscribe to community discussions: Community and Mailing Lists
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.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{DISPLAYTITLE:44Net: Public IP Space for Amateur Radio Operators}}
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:44Net: Build Networks Together with Public IP Space}}
-{{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 is a community of amateur radio operators building networks using publicly routable IP address space — from a single reachable host to shared infrastructure and routed networks.}}
-= What 44Net Is =
+= 44Net in Brief =
 <!-- [[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 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.
-Net predates the Internet as we know it today, and its history is worth exploring; see [[About 44Net]] for background and origins.
+Net 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.
-= What Happens Here =
+= What People Build =
-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.
+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.
 {{CardGrid|
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 {{CardGrid_Card|
    | heading = Personal station and home services
-   | body = <p>Remote access to stations, self-hosted services, and always-reachable endpoints</p>
+   | 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>
-   [http://yo2loj.ampr.org YO2LOJ] operates a page with resources for 44Net users and other amateur radio enthusiasts.
+   [http://yo2loj.ampr.org YO2LOJ] maintains a site sharing resources, tools, and information for 44Net users and amateur radio operators.
 }}
 {{CardGrid_Card|
    | heading = Shared infrastructure
-   | body = <p>Repeaters, gateways, and group-operated systems with stable public addressing</p>
+   | 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]] is a worldwide voice-over-IP network of amateur radio repeaters and stations that uses public IP addresses from 44Net.
+   [[IRLP|The Internet Radio Linking Project]] connects repeaters and stations worldwide using publicly reachable systems built on 44Net addressing.
 }}
 {{CardGrid_Card|
    | heading = Routed and experimental networks
-   | body = <p>Overlay networks, inter-site links, and BGP-operated subnets for advanced operators</p>
+   | 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>
-   [[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.
+   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.
 }}
 }}
@@ Line 38: / Line 37: @@
 See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] for more examples and build paths.
-= How to Get Involved =
+= How People Participate =
+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.
 == 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.
+Many participants begin by joining a project already operating on 44Net. Regional networks, shared gateways, research collaborations, and local experiments offer ways to learn alongside others and contribute to ongoing work.
 == 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.
+Others begin by creating something new: a reachable host, a small subnet, or an independent experiment. Projects often start small and grow as interests develop. Prior routing experience is not required.
 {{CardRow|
-  | title = Where to Start
+  | title = Common ways projects connect
   | 1 =
-<div style="grid-column: 1 / -1;"><p>The right starting point depends on what you want to build and how deeply you engage with networking. </p>
+<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>
-<p>Most participants use one of three approaches: 44Net Connect, IPIP Mesh, or BGP-announced subnet.</p></div>
 {{Card
    |44Net Connect
-   |<p>A WireGuard-based system designed to provide the shortest path to your first packet.</p>
+   |<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>
 }}
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 {{Card
    |IPIP Mesh
-   |<p>A community-driven network built on IP-in-IP tunnels, used for learning and experimentation.</p>
+   |<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>
 }}
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 {{Card
    |BGP-Announced Subnet
-   |<p>A 44Net subnet can be announced to the global [[GetStarted#Get_Started_with_BGP-Announced_Subnets|Get Started with BGP-Announced Subnets →]]
+   |<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>
 }}
 }}
 {{Card
    | Community Projects
-   | <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 work through community‑run projects that use 44Net. Regional networks, shared gateways, wireless links, VPN services, and experimental systems provide ways to participate without starting from scratch. See [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]] and [[Contributing|Ways to Participate]].</p>
 }}
-= Experiment Freely =
+= A Culture of Experimentation =
+Net 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.
+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.
+= Shared Stewardship =
+Net 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.
-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.
+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]].
-= Share Stewardship =
+= Keep Exploring =
-Net 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.
+Common next steps:
-If you are interested in how decisions are made or how to participate more deeply, see [[About 44Net]], [[Governance]], [[Policies]], and [[Contributing]].
+* 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]]
-= Status of this Documentation =
+= Join the Conversation =
-This documentation is actively evolving. Some areas are well established, while others are being reorganized or expanded as new tools and participation models develop.
+You do not need a project or subnet to participate in 44Net. Many people begin by simply listening and asking questions.
-= Next Steps =
+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.
-If you are ready to continue, these are common next steps:
+* Subscribe to community discussions: [[Community|Community and Mailing Lists]]
+* Introduce yourself, ask questions, or follow ongoing projects
+* Learn how others are experimenting and collaborating across the network
-* Choose your first path and get connected: [[GetStarted|Getting started]]
+You are welcome to listen, ask questions, and take part.
-* Compare path fit before you configure anything: [[Ways to Connect|Ways to Connect]]
-* Sign in and manage requests: [https://portal.ampr.org/ Portal sign-in]
-* Understand context and stewardship: [[About 44Net|About 44Net]]
-* Explore use cases and examples: [[What People Build|What People Build on 44Net]]
-* Build and operate your network: [[DNS|DNS and naming]] and [[Routing|Routing and connectivity]]
-* Contributing knowledge, tools, or support: [[Contributing|How to get involved]]