Foundations
Foundations is a practical introduction to using and building systems on 44Net. It is a series of articles written for people who want to get from “What is 44Net” to “I have something running that works.” You do not need to be a network engineer to start, but it helps to have some curiosity and a willingness to try things.
Each section leaves you with a working result: a DNS hostname that resolves, a mobile device that gets a 44Net IP, or a web page visible to the world. You can read it straight through, or jump straight to the point that matches what you want to do.
How This is Organized
The material is arranged as a series of small, cumulative milestones. Each one builds on the one before it, but each also stands on its own. If you complete the whole sequence, you will have:
- A verified identity in the Portal
- Your own DNS subdomain and resource records
- At least one connected device
- Routed address space
- A service reachable from the public Internet
Along the way, you will learn how naming, tunnelling, addressing, subnetting, and routing fit together in practice — using the real Internet.
The Path
1. Identity and DNS
Establish your presence
- Access the Portal
- Verify your callsign
- Claim your subdomain
- Create your first DNS records
Outcome: You have a public hostname that points to something you control.
Foundations: Identity and DNS →
2. First Contact
Make the first connection
- Sign in to 44Net Connect
- Create a tunnel
- Bring up a device
- Test reachability
Outcome: You have a working node on the Internet with a 44Net IP address.
Foundations: First Connection →
3. A Small Network
Get to know a subnet
- Request a subnet through 44Net Connect
- Assign addresses to more devices
- Route internally
Outcome: You have multiple devices on the Internet with a 44Net IP address.
Foundations: Subnets and Routing →
4. Public Routing
Participate in BGP
- Verify your location
- Request a /24 subnet
- Establish peering
- Announce your prefix
- Confirm reachability
Outcome: Your network is visble to the global Internet.
5. Applied Projects
Assemble the puzzle
These projects bring it all together. Choose one, or try them all:
- Host a personal website over 44Net Connect
- Host a public service on a BGP-announced subnet
- Connect a local club
- Build an experimental lab network
Who This is For
You might find Foundations useful if you are:
- New to 44Net and unsure where to start
- Comfortable with computers but new to networking
- Helping someone else discover 44Net
- Building a club or community network
Getting Started
- A good place to start for many people: Identity and DNS
- If you are already registered and verified on the Portal: Connect
Help and Feedback
These pages are maintained by volunteers and staff who use the network. If you find anything unclear, you can ask the 44Net community, suggest an edit, or open a ticket in the Portal. Foundations is built from what others before you have learned. Your contributions can help those who come after you.