Putting Wireless in Residence Halls Max McGrath, Jim Walsh, Carol Sabbar Carthage College, Kenosha, WI

About Carthage Liberal arts ELCA affiliated 2200 enrollment, 2000 FTE, 120 faculty, 350 employees Kenosha, WI 2/3 between Chicago and Milwaukee Mostly residential Students bring their own computers C

Wireless in Residence Halls Why Vendor vs. self-Install Our situation Products and strategies Avoiding potential problems Unavoidable problems Overall outcome C

Why wireless Students want it Administration wants it –See it as cheaper –Know that students like it Already exists elsewhere on campus Poor existing wiring plant in res halls Students bring their own (DHCP hi-jacks) Disadvantages Speed (still as fast as OUR wired access) Reliability Security J

Vendor vs. Self-Install Outsource the headache vs. Save the expense We installed our own wireless – including APs in FOUR buildings for what it would have cost to have ONE done by “professionals.” Used student crews HP equipment Informal site survey J

Our Situation Four major residence halls w/ 615 rooms 1229 occupants Reinforced concrete cinderblock construction All similar but not identical IT staff of 6 at the time 2 staff plus student help on project Have done our own wiring before M

Our Wiring &Wireless Standards First wireless in 1998 Normally use Cisco gear since 2002; HP for this project Structured wiring plant PoE since 2004 C

Products and Strategies Where to locate APs What APs to use Choosing the cable path C

Avoiding Potential Problems Setting the channels Physical security for the APs Data Security? J

Unavoidable Problems Rogue wireless gear Drops in signal Interference Equipment resets Physical damage Security issues M

Interference M

Overall Success It works More and less popular than we thought: –More people using as primary –Initially users –About 400 users out of 1250 total Physical security needed and working C

The bubble info: From Global Plastics, NB, Canada ”x14”x3” with 1.5” flange $44 (US) each for clear No POs Drilled holes ourselves Mounted with security screws C

Wi-Spy Info: $99 Detects interference from –Microwave Ovens –Cordless Phones –Baby Monitors –Bluetooth