Setting up and operating a wi-fi wireless network in a home or business can be difficult and frustrating, in spite of the efforts of hardware vendors such as Linksys, Netgear and D-Link to ease the pain with set-up wizards and software such as Network Magic (www.networkmagic.com).

Building an interlinked “mesh” wi-fi network to share a broadband internet connection with neighbours, colleagues or customers has been out of the question for most people – unless they have deep pockets or an on-site information technology department, or are willing to contract out the job.