2008 Woodie Awards
Outdoor wireless on campus by fall?
Daniel Gamberg
Issue date: 6/9/08 Section: News
In coffee shops, record stores and bookstores, wireless Internet service is defining contemporary hangouts and study areas for students by offering hip and sophisticated online access. Currently, De Anza College directors are actively working alongside district organizers to further implement a free wireless network on campus, aiming to make Internet service available throughout the college.
Throughout the month, a series of wireless beta tests will determine the network's active status and the quality of service on campus. Student volunteers will be asked to verify selected "hotspot" connections and record their experiences, which will then be reviewed to confirm the project's functionality. The Kirsch Center and Administration Conference Room 109 will be the first to obtain wireless capacity and begin beta testing.
The district's plan to further expand wireless Internet service was initiated by Foothill College. De Anza joined the initiative after district administrators realized that a formal bidding process was necessary to acquire the project equipment. "We realized that the corporations weren't willing to donate all of [the equipment] to the college," said Sharon Luciw, Foothill-De Anza District Director of Systems and Networks.
Aruba Networks ? a worldwide network service provider ? was one of many bidders in the district's formal bidding process. As the winner, Aruba Networks will work hand-in-hand with the college to provide service and necessary equipment to power the network.
Authenticating a wireless network in agreement with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act ? a communications standard in the U.S. designed for government surveillance ? was a major obstacle in the deployment process. To comply with the act, the network was privatized so that each user could be identified. This will also guarantee users the appropriate service levels free of outside impediment. The network requires users to login using either a student ID number or employee number followed by a PIN number to validate access.
Throughout the month, a series of wireless beta tests will determine the network's active status and the quality of service on campus. Student volunteers will be asked to verify selected "hotspot" connections and record their experiences, which will then be reviewed to confirm the project's functionality. The Kirsch Center and Administration Conference Room 109 will be the first to obtain wireless capacity and begin beta testing.
The district's plan to further expand wireless Internet service was initiated by Foothill College. De Anza joined the initiative after district administrators realized that a formal bidding process was necessary to acquire the project equipment. "We realized that the corporations weren't willing to donate all of [the equipment] to the college," said Sharon Luciw, Foothill-De Anza District Director of Systems and Networks.
Aruba Networks ? a worldwide network service provider ? was one of many bidders in the district's formal bidding process. As the winner, Aruba Networks will work hand-in-hand with the college to provide service and necessary equipment to power the network.
Authenticating a wireless network in agreement with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act ? a communications standard in the U.S. designed for government surveillance ? was a major obstacle in the deployment process. To comply with the act, the network was privatized so that each user could be identified. This will also guarantee users the appropriate service levels free of outside impediment. The network requires users to login using either a student ID number or employee number followed by a PIN number to validate access.
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