WAN and Maestro

Bob N7ZO

I decided this was worth its own conversation.

In the "SmartSDR v1.5 WLAN?" conversation, Ken mentions:  "I want my Maestro to work to my radio (wherever it is, maybe moving from
antenna farm to antenna farm?) from wherever I may be (maybe beauty shop, buttoned down corp. network, etc.)."

Until native WAN is implemented, I don't think any of the current VPN solutions will work for the Maestro unless FlexRadio includes a VPN client inside Maestro.

I can imagine a Maestro WAN solution that involves generating an additional local WiFi hotspot on a device (laptop maybe?) that implements a VPN client or VPN site-to-site bridge, but this is becoming unreasonably complex.

So, will it not be possible to reasonably operate Maestro via WAN until FlexRadio ships WAN support in 2.0?

73, Bob, N7ZO

Mike va3mw

We asked Gerald about this when we say the Maestro just before Dayton. Having the Maestro connect over the Wan was a very defined goal and based on what Tim says, it will be in V2.x. However, since the Maestro is a Windows based device it could also have a built in VPN client which would be a very good idea. Remember, when the internet was designed, it was never designed to be secure (sadly).

Bob N7ZO

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the confirmation of Maestro WAN support in 2.0.  But since Maestro is supposed to ship Q4 2015 and 2.0 is more in the Dayton 2016 timeframe, I was wondering about the interim.

Maybe FlexRadio could embed SoftEther in both ends and have a solution.  (Only half jesting.)

73, Bob, N7ZO

Mike va3mw

I'll let Tim jump and share what he is allowed to share.  

However, as someone who works in the software development world as a Program Manager, I fully understand why you won't get a full commitment date and why this becomes the 'it will be ready when its ready' discussion.

I'm 99.9% sure they would love to say it will be ready by 'X'.  However we have long learned that it is very dangerous to do that as software does and will always have bugs, and until you actually get to the point where you have a working stable model you don't let the cat out of the bag.  

That doesn't really help anyone today, other than Flex's software development model is the same as everyone else that writes software for a living today.  

Many 73

Bob N7ZO

Hi Michael,

I am not concerned about the actual dates.  I understand things will ship when they are ready.  I was hoping to avoid further date discussions (yes, I know I mentioned dates in my previous post - my fault) and have a technical discussion about Maestro and WAN.

73, Bob, N7ZO

Tim - W4TME

Maestro will not have the ability to run third-party programs.

If used on a bridged VPN connection, you will be able to operate it remotely in that manner.  To operate using an Internet based connection without VPN specific hardware (routers) will require SmartSDR v2.x

Walt - KZ1F

As far as 'unreasonably complex', if you listen carefully to what Steve has said on the topic, I suspect many will view WAN in general as, 'unreasonably complex'. Having spent years in software development in the security space, it will be a challenge to have it be consumer friendly. Perhaps rather than starting the drm beating now, let's all give it about a year.