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Dummy Installation of Offline Cellular Network

In September 2021, the Universitas Terbuka (UT) – BUKA Team explored the strength and weaknesses of the available proprietary and open-source softwares to be used as an operating system of the Internet Offline Server. Based on its functionality and affordability, the Linux operating system was selected. Network and IT technicians in Indonesia are also familiar with the Linux operating system, and it is easy to maintain and update programs.

The first package of the Internet offline infrastructure includes a mini pc, cellular network antenna, omnidirectional antenna, point-to-point bridge already set in place.

The dummy installation server parameters in developing the offline Internet system used the following specifications:

  • Operating System – Ubuntu 20.04 or Debian 11
  • 64bit mini-computer
  • 8G RAM Memory
  • 512 GB SSD

The mini-personal computer is quite easy to install as it requires only 10 cm square dimension with DC power supply. For the BUKA pilot project, some of the main applications supporting e-learning services are also installed, such as 
Apache web server, MariaDB database server, and PHP; Moodle for e-learning; and Kiwix for offline Wikipedia.


Meanwhile, the supporting intranet network operations use the following applications: 

  • Bind dns servers
  • Server SSH
  • DHCP Server
  • SAMBA File Sharing server

Details of the installation and configuration of various server applications on the Offline Internet systems are now available in UT’s Learning Management System. The first on-site installation will take place on the last week of March 2022. The process of server installation and team discussion during the pilot installation can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u3rdUM87Bg. Setting the configuration of the cellular network and the point-to-point bridge is documented in the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsl2nfoHV30.

The UT-BUKA team will also publish a book entitled Internet Offline System Design: UT-Akses for Student in Remote Areas.