Copyright © College of Mount St. Joseph, 2002 This work is the intellectual property of the authors. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author. Project MERLIN: Universal Computing and Wireless Thin Client
Mark Cain Jim Krailler Chris Buelterman
About the College Private liberal arts Sponsored by Sisters of Charity Emphasizes values, integrity, social responsibility 1700 FTE students (74% commuter) 43 academic programs
Challenges Scheduling problems in computer labs Insufficient number of computers for student general use No remote access to lab software Assuring computer literacy without a computer literacy requirement Inadequate infrastructure for a “media-rich” learning environment
Solution Universal Computing Program
Planning Phase 1998SummerResearch on laptop colleges FallFreshman survey 1999SpringSite visit to laptop college College strategic plan IT strategic plan (Tech Audit) SummerConcept approved by Cabinet Economic modeling for project
Solutions Phase 1999SummerFirst wireless network FallPrototype Citrix server WinterFirst wireless thin client test 2000Winter/SpringTesting SummerPhase I wireless, server farm FallMERLIN: First freshman class
Building Support and Awareness 1999SummerFirst presentation to faculty FallApproval by Trustees Presentation to Faculty Assembly MERLIN name selected 2000WinterMERLIN logo developed Media announcement
How does MERLIN work?
Notebook PC How does MERLIN work? Basic productivity software (Office, IE, plug-ins) resides on low-cost PC. Off-campus access with modem.
Wireless Network Notebook PC How does MERLIN work? Wireless connectivity allows campus roaming while still maintaining access to network, Internet and network software.
directional patch antenna
leaky co-ax antenna
high-gain omni-directional antenna
Citrix Server Wireless Network Notebook PC How does MERLIN work? Lab (high-end) software runs off CITRIX server for LAN and off-campus access.CITRIX
Citrix Server Wireless Network Notebook PC How does MERLIN work?
Other Goodies
Before MERLIN, I was a 98 pound IT weakling. Look at me now!
Infrastructure Considerations Coverage Access points Antennae Security Wireless network Citrix Citrix gotchas
Ongoing Challenges Classroom issues Technology refresh Bandwidth Faculty Students
Lessons Learned Communicate, communicate, communicate Choose your vendors carefully Faculty first? You can never test enough Pilot Stay flexible, move fast
Questions?