Portable Network Kit (PNK)

Product Description

The Portable Network Kit (PNK), created by New America, is a Wi-Fi mesh network that can be configured by the user. The product’s website provides step by step instructions on how to connect the different parts and install the software for operation. One of the manufacturer’s main purposes is training people to create a PNK.

It can be used in two different ways: to provide internet to other devices or to allow them to connect between each other as an “island” connection. The intended application is for use in emergency situations where a regular connection would not be available.

Target SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Market Suggested Retail Price

$2,576.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

CSA Group, Ubiquiti Networks, Cable Matters, IOGear and others.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The construction process is explained in the guide and must be completed by the user. There are different required software and hardware. The required files can be downloaded from the manufacturer:

First, this program enables other programs to open. Decompressing software image program: Image USB
PNK-Raspberry-Pi-image-2017-12-21.img (English version)
PNK-Raspberry-Pi-image-2017-12-21.img (Spanish version)
MikroTik_hEX_config_2017-10-17.rsc

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

The parts that the device requires are delivered by different companies.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Type of service

Sets a Wi-Fi area

Telecommunication service required

Online mode: Need an internet connection. Offline mode: It can be used to connect devices inside an area

Fixed network connection required (Y/N)

Yes

Additional device required

Components described in guide

Two way communication (Y/N)

Battery life (hours)

It should be connected to a fixed energy source

Network capacity

The area that it reaches is 0.5 mi² (1.3 km²)

Power requirements

It must be connected to a fixed energy supply

Average packet loss

Unknown

Application

Creating online or offline networks

Design Specifications

Anyone with some computer skills and training should be able to use it.
No coding involved
People who have been trained should be able to train others.
There might be some tinkering with configuring the disk image, and some trial and error with naming and connecting the routers (covered on the available material and trainings)
Important: creating shared social protocols about how to use it and what kinds of data it should collect.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

New America's FAQ section
Contact us section
Online community group

For problems with individual components, the manufacturers of each component should be contacted for support.

Replacement Components

Dependent on the source of the different parts

Lifecycle

Dependent on individual part

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Create a Wi-Fi connection area in order to provide internet or just an "island" mode connection between different devices.

Vetted Performance Status

Two qualitative reports on use contexts found that the PNK was usable in disaster-relief scenarios, among other applications:

Dominica Island (Caribbean Sea): Experience
Sandy Five Initiative: Experience

Safety

N/A

Complementary Technical Systems

Unknown

Academic Research and References

Munguia Tapia, E., Marmasse, N., Intille, S.S. and Larson, K., 2004, MITes: Wireless Portable Sensors for Studying Behavior, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, One Cambridge Center.

“Power Generation Testing & Certification.” 2018. CSA Group. October 31, 2018. https://www.csagroup.org/testing-certification/product-areas/power-generation-energy-storage/

“UniFi – Introduction – Ubiquiti.” n.d. ..Ui.Com. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://ui.com/introduction

“IOGEAR.” n.d. IOGEAR. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://iogear.com/

“Mission.” 2018. Redhookwifi.Org. August 21, 2018. https://redhookwifi.org/about/mission/

“Goal 3.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3

“Goal 9.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9

“Goal 11.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11

“OSForensics – Write an Image to USB Drives.” n.d. Osforensics.Com. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.osforensics.com/tools/write-usb-images.html

“PNK-Raspberry-Pi-Image-2017-12-21.Zip.” n.d. Dropbox. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jxuv6615k0aermzlhcxjt/PNK-Raspberry-Pi-image-2017-12-21.zip?rlkey=exaj8rjptkyxd929zt9zu8pn2&e=1&dl=0

“PNK-Raspberry-Pi-Imagen-2017-12-21-Espanol.Zip.” n.d. Dropbox. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kr0m641le1l2ntwinlvjk/PNK-Raspberry-Pi-imagen-2017-12-21-Espanol.zip?rlkey=0709o6q4ke45tfweaxg2uf233&e=1&dl=0

“MikroTik_hEX_config_2017-10-17.Rsc.” n.d. Dropbox. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4cyji00r6rxdmch9c69a2/MikroTik_hEX_config_2017-10-17.rsc?rlkey=7lygxwptd8a6168tm0qzxl3xk&e=1&dl=0

“Portable Network Kits: DIY WiFi for Response, Recovery, and Resilience.” n.d. New America. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.newamerica.org/resilient-communities/resilient-futures/portable-network-kits-diy-wifi-response-recovery-and-resilience/