The Nelson Residence Hall cafeteria -the next installment in DU’s wireless access program–became fully operational late last month.
Byron Early, UTS director of network services, said that the newest addition was just another layer of Internet access, meant to supplement the existing hard-wire Ethernet access, and not replace it. Wireless access, is available in conference rooms and the dining area.
Early said that the wireless system was only to assist students trying to access the Internet in the dining hall and nearby rooms, due to the limited quantity and location of Ethernet ports which are mainly located along the walls and in support pillars.
The system is not compatible with any 802.11a cards (which operate at about a 900 MHz frequency), although it is upgradeable to the 802.11g protocol (transmitting at the same frequency but at a speed of up to 54 Mbps) when it becomes readily available.
For reference, a hard-wired connection to the internet via cat-5 cable (looks like a wide phone cord) is generally around 100 Mbps, and will more likely be limited by the speed of connection of the system that you are accessing.
This latest addition is just a small part of the increasing wireless service available to DU’s students. Early notes already DU has wireless access coverage in: the Pioneer Place and ballroom in Driscoll North, the entranceway and main auditorium of Sturm Hall, the “Whispering Lips” art display in front of the Ritchie Center, Graduation Park from Pioneer Hall to Penrose Library to Daniels College of Business, the Cyber CafCB) and surrounding area in Ben Cherrington Hall and the Driscoll lawn between Sturm Hall and the new law school.
Wireless service is part of a “shared media” system of around 90 access points on campus.
With an unbroken 168-bit Ipsec security encryption on the Cisco UPN connectors, and the Vpn access client that students must go through to negotiate with the access points, data is very safe.
Students need to remember they are transmitting a radio signal much like a cordless phone, and that signal could be picked up with a 2.4 GHz signal scanner from Radio Shack.
