Northsline started in 2026 because no network hardware respected privacy. Everything wanted a subscription, an account, or an internet connection. Every tool phoned home. So a small microcontroller, some hand-written software, and a breadboard became the first prototype: a network firewall appliance with local management and no cloud dependency.
The goal was simple: see what a network is doing. Every tool demanded an email, user data, or constant attention. None worked without an internet connection. The idea was a local network monitoring device that watched and stayed quiet. No cloud, no accounts, no telemetry.
Everything is built by hand on a breadboard and tested one piece at a time. It's slow. That's the point. Every decision is visible in the wiring and the code. The firmware is open source. You can read every line and verify nothing phones home.
No accounts. No cloud dependency. No telemetry. No "AI-powered" features that send data somewhere else. If a device can work entirely on your network, it should. Privacy shouldn't require a manual. Local management means you control the device, not the other way around.
If a device can work entirely on your network, it should.
The device works on your network. It doesn't need an internet connection to function. Configuration, dashboards, and data all stay local. If your internet goes down, Known still works.
No email verification. No password. No account recovery flow. You plug the device in and open a browser. That's it.
The device does not send usage data, crash reports, or analytics to Northsline or anyone else. There is no server on our end that your device talks to. The firmware is open source, so you can verify this yourself.
All data is stored in volatile memory. When you cut power, the data stops existing. It was never written to permanent storage. No data retention by design.
You can read the firmware, fork it, audit it, and point out bugs. That's the point. If you don't trust the description, read the code at github.com/northsline.
If you want to know more, ask about the hardware, or just talk about privacy hardware, send an email. You'll get a real reply.
Get in touch