Data mule
Data Mule is an evocative term for the concept of physically carrying a computer storage device between remote locations to effectively create a data communication link.
A data mule is a special case of a Sneakernet, where data is automatically loaded and unloaded when the data mule arrives at its terminal locations.
Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) can use data mules to exchange data among computers that do not have access to the TCP/IP-based Internet.
A typical use of a data mule is to offer internet connectivity to remote villages. [1] A computer with a disk and wifi link is attached to buses on a bus route between villages. As the bus stops at the village to pickup passengers and cargo, the DTN router communicates with a DTN router in the bus station over wifi to down-load email to the village and up loads email to be sent on the Internet or other villages along the bus route.
Data mules are a cost-effective mechanism for rural connectivity because they use inexpensive commodity hardware, can be quickly installed, and piggy backs on existing infrastructure, such as bus routes. [2]
Despite potentially long delays for receiving data, surprisingly large bandwidths can be achieved. For example, delivering a 1TB disk per day has an effective bandwidth of 100Mbps.
The term data mule was originally coined as the acronym Data MULE. (Mobile Ubiquitous LAN Extension) [3]
References
- ^ Alex (Sandy) Pentland, Richard Fletcher, Amir Hasson, "DakNet: Rethinking Connectivity in Developing Nations," IEEE Computer, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 78-83, Jan. 2004 [1]
- ^ Eric Brewer, et. al. "The Case for Technology in Developing Regions," IEEE Computer, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 25-38, June 2005, [2]
- ^ Rahul C. Shah, Rahul C. Shah, Rahul C. Shah, Waylon Brunette, "Data MULEs: Modeling a Three-tier Architecture for Sparse Sensor Networks" Intel Research Tech Report IRS-TR-03-001 January, 2003.[3]