Mesh Web - Rebuild the Web
Published on 7/17/2017
Alexander Evenhuis
Founder and Chief Software Engineer, Huis Digital (HD)
The FCC plans to repeal the regulations which allow for Net Neutrality. These rules protect the individual and the industry from unnecessary and unfair regulation and fees on access to the ideas and content shared between individuals connected to the internet.
The need arises now for the internet community to remove control of the internet from those who wish to repeal that which effectively protects the internet rights of all users. We as a freedom-loving tech people will perform the above in the manner in which we have always kept the internet free and equal - technological innovation. The plan I am proposing will leverage already existing technology, however used in new ways, as well as create completely new technology to either enhance what already exists or build components that have not been needed thus far for the continuation of a free internet. The same technology that helps create anonymity for Tor networks, enable wireless printing at home, create cheap and low power computing devices, and decentralize currency through cryptographic means will be used to allow anyone with a device with WiFi to join and support the new, decentralized, Mesh Web.
First, to give a high-level overview of the current system that affords internet providers with the level of control that they have, I present the following.

The problem:

In the past, most of everything had to be wired because of several factors. Limited physical space and the fact that most of the internet's infrastructure would be installed in government owned space would require the web to be implemented in a manner in which the ISPs (internet service providers) create and control the infrastructure. But, today we are in a different era technologically speaking. Today, a majority of people in the United States of America possess several devices that are wirelessly connected. Particularly here in New York City, where I live, the amount of devices within a single 100 ft diameter is both astonishing and eye-opening. As someone who grew up in a time when wireless internet technology at the conumer level was only beginning to take stride, this realization of how truly interconnected we are is quite humbling. The era we live in is one in which there is so much interconnectedness, yet at the same time this interconnectedness is not utilized to the greatest possible extent.
Currently, the way in which a device, your laptop for example, accesses the internet is via connection to a router, which connects to a modem, and the modem will then relay the device's message to an internet service provider. The internet service provider will route the message appropriately to eventually end up at the intended recipient. This is the case even if you are sending for example a message to your friend who may be sitting right next to you. Based on this model of how the web currently works, you are able to understand how the current system is setup so that no matter the request, the request will go through an internet service provider.
The reason that all requests will go through a internet service provider is that internet service providers provide all of the "pipes" - the infrastructure - that connect all internet users together. This infrastructure connects all users to various websites whether it is Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, Google, etc. The infrastructure is owned by the internet service providers.
I propose an idea that aims to shift ownership from the few to the many by way of creating a Mesh Web. With the idea that I am proposing, the infrastructure will be owned by the people who are connected to the Mesh Web, instead of the "pipes" being owned, managed, maintained, paid for, and regulated by potentially malicious corporations.

The goal is to connect all devices with one another rather than having all devices connect to an internet service provider - replace the middle man. The vision that I have for this shift is that ultimately:

  1. Mesh Web 1.0 - Individuals will be able to install software on their devices (laptop, desktop, phone, tablet, and more) that will enable their devices to the connect to the Mesh Web and access content in the same way that content is currently accessed
  2. Browsers will act as they do today, but instead of users going through traditional ISP infrastructure, users will go through the Mesh Web - a series of nodes that connects point A to point Z
  3. Infrastructure would be decentralized from any single body or limited set of entities - each unit of people would have a greater ownership of the way in which they access the web, minimizing the likelihood of a single entity gaining control of the internet
We as a people are not in a position to move forward in attempting to win this battle through forcing legislation. The house always wins. They will eventually gain complete control of what they have invested in (the infrastructure). It will be brought up continuously until they determine the correct strategy to bend our legal system into allowing internet service providers to control what connects all of us at a global scale. The internet has driven countless innovation across every single industry including the technology and engineering industry itself, and it must continue to be a driver for this sort of growth.
We need a long term solution - we must end our relationship with a malicious and no longer necessary set of entities and technology. We must leverage our mass scale and interconnectedness to ensure the internet remains as a place that facilitates communication, freedom of speech, and innovation. This will be accomplished through our transition to the Mesh Web through the software I am proposing.

Deliverables:

  1. Proof of Concept (POC) - This will revolve around the use of RaspberryPi to simulate real life scenarios in which this technology would be used. I want to involve the community and crowdsourcing as much as possible in the design and implementation of this.
  2. Mesh Web 1.0 - Software for Android, Windows, Linux, and iOS that allows devices to connect to the decentralized web - to act as a consumer of the information provided by other nodes, act as a producer of information for other nodes, and to facilitate sending of messages from one node in the decentralized web to another.
  3. Configuration-Free Mesh Web Propagation Node model and distribution system - Lowering configuration time and technological expertise required for node setup will help the community better transition to and support the new infrastructure. We must ensure people have an actionable way of supporting a free, decentralized web experience.

Risks and challenges

  1. Speed - P2P and onion routed networks can be slower under certain conditions. This is an issue that will be analyzed and if needed a proper solution should be implemented.
  2. Security - Security risks specific to P2P communication will become more prevalent, creating a greater need to further develop security technology concerning P2P communication.
  3. Transition - The ability to access all of the data available on the current internet will not happen at once. It will be a gradual shift. What we will need to do is develop ways to support the transition and otherwise make it easier for all to make the transition while minimizing any potential downside to connecting with the Mesh Web. More likely some of the key tasks that are performed by the current internet infrastructure such as domain name information retrieval can still rely on the internet for the short term - whether that is periodic syncing with your router or through other registries.
  4. Distance - I realize that this concept will work well in cities like NYC and other big cities as people are in such close proximity, but not so much in more suburban and rural areas (areas where wireless access points will be more spread out). I see this as a short term issue with reasonable solutions mainly in terms of closing the gaps conceptually in the same way it is currently happening, but with upgraded technology and different players in the game. The fact that closing the gaps becomes a need opens up a market for businesses solely based around propagation nodes and long-range propagation technology. As much as possible, we will build the main points of propagation between city points and other key locations. We will also make sure those who are in remote areas have proper tools to voice their needs and interest in having this technology in order to facilitate the shift to the Mesh Web infrastructure. The main difference here between the current and the proposed internet is that in this new system anyone can enter and become a propagator. This is contrary to our current system in which tremendous barriers of entry exist for any entity wishing to become a provider of internet service.
  5. Scaling - This point is similar to distance. But, on a slightly different note, in order to facilitate proper scaling of the infrastructure, the vision that I have is that it will be easy for smaller devices and/or nodes to connect to SLR (super-long-range), HT (high-throughput) nodes. These sorts of nodes would be specialized for connecting for example across an ocean or between cities. The idea here is to ensure seamless connection between nodes regardless of transmission strength of nodes. Another technology I see developing in the long-term in order to facilitate the fulfillment of scaling needs is the development of specialized nodes available to the average household. SLR, HT nodes more likely will require companies, groups, or communities to deploy the necessary nodes, but again a low barrier of entry ensures all are able to become a SLR, HT node provider. The specialized nodes available to the average household will be designed and calibrated for connecting nearby households with the goal of providing the greater interconnectedness and greater access to the Mesh Web in more suburban and rural areas. The long-range nodes will interface seamlessly with both other long-range nodes and smaller devices/nodes.
Thank you in advance for your support in this initiative to create a sustainable, decentralized web. I look forward to seeing this project through and helping provide the many opportunities that will continue to be created for people globally, with the continuation of a free internet.
For more information on Net Neutrality - please visit: https://www.battleforthenet.com/
Alexander Evenhuis
Founder and Chief Software Engineer, Huis Digital (HD)
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+1 646 992 1449

alexander.evenhuis@hotmail.com

New York, NY 10280, US

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