The Urbana Project

Get Involved  CUWiN Network Map  Champaign-Urbana Hotspots

The Old Urbana Post Office

The UCIMC Building, a.k.a. the old Urbana Post Office

CUWiN and the City of Urbana have partnered over the last several years to implement a wireless network in the downtown area. The wireless network will use CUWiN software to provide a wireless backhaul in addition to public access points in strategic areas. The backhaul, in the current plan, will work with CUWiN's wireless testbed.

The effects of this project are wide-ranging. Patrons of Urbana's shops will soon be able to expect to have Internet connectivity. Local businesses, both on Main Street and in Lincoln Square Mall, support the initiative because wireless Internet connectivity attracts more patrons. Lincoln Square Mall and the Market at the Square are intended locations for wireless connectivity. For residents of Urbana, the wireless initiative means that they can increase their per-user bandwidth by sharing bandwidth throughout neighborhoods.

Network Map

Welcome to the Urbana Project map. We have developed the Urbana wireless network to serve two purposes. First, it is a wonderful public resource that has garnered the support of the City of Urbana. Second, it is our testbed, allowing us to do in vivo testing of wireless networks.

To find out if you are within range of one of the nodes, simply click on a node to find their address.

Legend

Nodes allowing public access:
Nodes NOT allowing public access:

Get Involved!

If residents or businesses of Urbana want to connect to the wireless network, there are two routes to getting connected. The best method for getting connected to the network is to purchase and install your own node. We recommend getting your own node because it is the only way for you to guarantee access. Any node that we install for our testbed is subject to our preference. If we need to move the node somewhere else, we will move it if the node belongs to us. If you own the node, the node doesn't move unless you want it to move.

The required caveat is that installing a node is not for the faint of heart. We work hard to provide detailed documentation about how to install your own node in the CUWiN Manual, but we are always finding and patching gaps in the documentation. In addition, nodes must be installed on your roof, so you may want to procure some help if you have acrophobia. That said, we are constantly employing tools that make it easier for the novice user to install and administer a node themselves.

If you want to install a node, your first step will be to purchase the equipment. In our manual, you will find extensive documentation about various set-up options. At the moment, we are recommending the purchase of a Metrix Mark II kit because it requires the least work and can double as a wireless access point. Here's the list of recommended purchases:

If this all seems to much for you, you can volunteer to host a node. There are two things that you need to remember about volunteering to host a node. If you host a node, the node is owned by CUWiN and is placed according to CUWiN's priorities, so we do not guarantee that we will connect you. Also, CUWiN in no way guarantees service. We maintain and repair equipment as we have the time and money to do so. We strive to keep the testbed running, but, as a not-for-profit venture we rely on donations and successful grant applications.

If you want to sign up to host a node, send an email to with a subject line of "Node Host Offer"

  • Your Full Name
  • Your Address
  • Your Email Address
  • Your Telephone Number
  • Do you own or rent?
  • If you rent, who is your landlord and have they agreed to host a node?
  • Contact Information for Your Landlord

Champaign-Urbana Hotspots

Champaign-Urbana has a number of free local wi-fi hotspots, where you can connect to the Internet with your 802.11b wireless card. Our listing provides you an at-a-glance look at your local options for a temporary Net connection. To get onto this list, your wireless hotspot must be free and open to the public. To submit your hotspot to this list, send an email to . Be sure to include the name and address of the venue.

More Questions?

If you have more questions, please consult our FAQ.

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