CalNet

The California Network, more commonly referred to as CalNet, is a communication and data transfer network used by the New California Republic in 2281. It is based on the foundation of PoseidoNet, a system of linked networks or a “network of networks” created by Poseidon Energy for their own corporate uses and later by the Enclave following the Great War.
==Background==
===Birth of the PoseidoNet===
As Poseidon Energy expanded in the mid-21st century, the energy conglomerate and defense contractor needed a way to connect its facilities more efficiently. Every Poseidon reactor, oil rig, and research facility had its own local network and database, but it was difficult for these facilities to share data between each other. Poseidon Energy appealed to the government for funding, believing that a defense contractor having an intercontinental, high-speed digital network would greatly benefit military research efforts. The government agreed on the condition that its own facilities could be connected to the network, and so construction of the PoseidoNet began.
===The Enclave===
As Poseidon Energy became more entangled with the Enclave deep state, the desire for an intercontinental network that could serve the government after a nuclear apocalypse became realized. Poseidon laboratories, Vault-Tec vaults, and Enclave facilities alike were linked to each other, able to connect at lightning speeds even when at opposite ends of the continent. Site R in Washington D.C. acted as a relay station between the different PoseidoNet connections and its ZAX unit coordinated communications on the network. Enclave bunkers communicated with each other and Vault-Tec facilities reported the findings of their experiments from across the country, all furthering the Enclave’s post-nuclear plans.
After Control Station ENCLAVE was destroyed in 2241, the Enclave abandoned its west coast facilities and many survivors retreated to Site R, the Raven Rock Mountain Complex. As a security precaution against the Brotherhood of Steel and growing New California Republic, Raven Rock severed itself from the western PoseidoNet links.
===CalNet===
While the Enclave had cut the west coast from the east, it could not fully cut western connections from each other. As the NCR investigated facilities like Camp Navarro and Poseidon Oil Reactor #5, they investigated the strange “PoseidoNet” that kept appearing on local terminal networks. Eventually they came to understand the truth, that important government bases and Poseidon Energy facilities were connected by a vast network of underground cables and government telephone lines. While some access points were locked or damaged by retreating Enclave forces, Republic scientists and their (at the time) Brotherhood allies began identifying, unlocking, repairing, and reconnecting these facilities to each other. New telephone lines were built from nearby access points to NCR settlements like Shady Sands and the Boneyard to provide easy use.
Created after the death of Tandi, the CalNet project was initiated by the Tibbet government in its final years to regain the support of voters. The promise of civilian access to such a system was enticing, and continued under the next government under Wendell Peterson. While Peterson and his successor Aaron Kimball both attempted to push for greater use of CalNet by the NCR military, the outbreak of war with the Brotherhood of Steel caused much distrust for its use by military officers. The more advanced Brotherhood undoubtedly understood the system better and widespread paranoia of the Brotherhood intercepting NCR communications through CalNet prevented it from being used widely for military purposes. In 2281 CalNet is used primarily by the government, OSI, civilians with the knowledge and equipment to use it, as well as extremely limited use by the NCR’s armed forces.
==Accessible services==
Aside from connecting users to each other, CalNet has several popular servers that are accessible to civilian users, hosted by both the NCR government and other like-minded individuals. These are examples of servers and not an exhaustive list.
===CalNews===
The official news site of CalNet and the NCR, CalNews, or calnews.ncr, provides users with up-to-date news within the Republic. Examples of topics covered include regional weather, NCR military actions, economic data, New West Baseball League scores, and more.
===Followers server===
A server run by the Followers of the Apocalypse known simply as followers.apc is used by the organization to expand their reach. Users can learn about the humanitarian group, chat with its members, and learn how to get involved. The Kimball administration unofficially tries to disrupt the Followers’ digital efforts, however it is constantly backed up and often hosted from multiple sites under slightly different names.
===The Great Wheel===
The Great Wheel, also known as thegreatwheel.hub and often called just The Wheel, is a digital platform owned by the Hubologist organization in New California. From their server they host Hubologist literature, direct chatting with “digital missionaries” of the organization, and have performed several sermons through real-time videoconferencing.
===Wasteland Chats===
Wasteland Chats is a popular text-based chatting and dating server hosted by an independent operator. Users can be matched with others after inputting similar interests and intentions, such as casual chatting or virtual dating. A recent rumor suggests that it might be run by the Brotherhood of Steel or Enclave remnants in California to collect data from NCR citizens.
Category:Technology