As usual, we’re expanding our network. This time the guys have been working on a site pretty close to the office. They put the pole/mast up, put up the antennas, and even arranged our own power-connection, as the one available at the location basically sucks. They did great work, as the stuff was (almost) all there. Basestations, microwave links, batteries, you name it.

In short: it was time for me to bring the last pieces of the puzzle together, namely a router and a switch. Started this morning at 7, to decommission the IBM router. After
some swapping around with hardware, we got to the point where we could provide the IBM building with an “ethernet” uplink, and thus don’t need the 7206 there for the DS3 link. And since we don’t have any spares, and the shipment of new stuff is late as usual .. ;) Anyway, it wasn’t that hard, just one unexpected surprise that was fixed within minutes. Then came the final part; getting the stuff on the mountain and up and running.

My first impression? What a dump. And that’s no joke. It basically is really a dump. The building is partly under construction, the so called “colocation room” is even worse than the old CyberComm pop. And best of all: the company there loves lasers! So, lasers, connected everywhere on the building. About the same time one of my colleagues explained why lasers suck. Something about rain, sun, movement, and various other stuff that makes it very, very hard to use it reliably on the island. But ofcourse, the guy (owner of the building/company) was very very happy with his last purchase. I thought he was nuts, telling us he just bought 40 new laser-thingies. Thankfully, someone clarified for me. He didn’t buy 40 (”pfew, so he’s not that crazy”), he bought a 40 ft. container full of lasers (”Eh? Right. Let’s go.”).

Anyway. Shortly after we placed the router there, we had connectivity, and were ready to start installing/commissioning the basestations !