nekotopia.io

a community for home labbers and retro geeks

Sponsor & Network Tiers

Nekotopia is a self-funded platform. Basic mesh access is free forever. The tiers below aren't a price list: they're the ladder of what the network can do, and members who use it get the higher rungs switched on by hand.

How This Works

Nothing on this page is for sale, and nothing is being asked for. Basic is free; the higher tiers are earned. Put machines on the mesh, write up your build, report what breaks — activity is the currency here. The live ledger below shows what the network really costs to run: transparency, not an invoice.

Early Access

Plus

Headroom for active projects with public internet egress.

By Arrangement / switched on by hand
25 Mbps peak · 200 GB/mo · 256 kbps throttle
  • Everything in Basic
  • Internet outbound via shared IPv4 egress
  • Priority hub selection & gallery eligibility
  • nSolo eligible (dedicated public IPv4)
Join, Then Just Ask
Full Ladder

Pro

Full routed prefixes, BYOIP, and advanced L3 networking.

By Arrangement / switched on by hand
100 Mbps peak · 1 TB/mo · 1 Mbps throttle
  • Everything in Plus
  • nSolo included (dedicated public IPv4)
  • nColo — BGP routed prefix (up to 2^4=16)
  • nSolo Inbound + hosted service routes
  • LAN Extension networks & L2 bridging
Join, Then Just Ask

Live Cost Ledger

Transparency is fundamental. Below is what it actually costs every month to run multi-region WireGuard hubs, RIPE NCC allocations, BGP transit, and core services.

Loading live cost telemetry...

Ground Rules

1. Using It Is the Sponsorship

A quiet account helps nobody. Machines on the mesh, wiki pages, forum answers: that's what proves the network deserves to exist, and it's what earns the higher tiers today.

2. The Books Stay Open

Hub capacity across ten AWS regions plus RIPE IP block upkeep, metered live in the ledger. If contributions ever open up, every unit goes here and nowhere else.

3. Zero VC or Corporate Control

Self-funded, sole-maintainer operated. Built out of passion for networking and vintage hardware. Basic access stays free so old gear can always come online.

Compare Network Features

A detailed breakdown of capabilities across each tier.

Capability Basic Plus Pro
Encrypted WireGuard Mesh YesYesYes
Jumphost Reverse Tunnel YesYesYes
Internet Outbound Egress Yes (Proxied)Yes (Shared IPv4)Yes (Shared/Dedicated)
Peak Bandwidth 10 Mbps25 Mbps100 Mbps
Monthly Data Cap 50 GB200 GB1 TB
Dedicated Public IPv4 (nSolo) Add-on (2^0=1)Included (2^0=1)
BGP Routed Prefix (nColo) Up to 2^4=16
Cost Today FreeBy arrangementBy arrangement

Public-IP Add-Ons

Real Public IPv4 allocations from our RIPE NCC address blocks.

Early Access · Free Allocation

nSolo — Dedicated Public IPv4

Allocates a dedicated public IPv4 address with 1:1 bidirectional NAT. Allows your internal retro box or homelab server to accept incoming connections from the global internet without exposing your home IP.

Early Access · BGP Peering

nColo — BGP Routed Prefixes

Peer via BGP over encrypted WireGuard with regional hubs. Advertise your assigned IPv4 prefix (/32 to /28) directly from your own edge router with custom routing policies and pure L3 connectivity.