College Gives NRI's Wireless Installation High Marks.
Wireless LANs enable users to establish and maintain a wireless network connection throughout or between buildings and campuses without the limitations of wires or cables. Students can connect to the Internet to do research, and retrieve and send e-mail, to increasing collaboration with teachers and fellow students. Information can be accesssed virtually anytime from dorm rooms, libraries, classrooms and even common meeting or recreation areas
Always striving to increase their knowledge and wanting to be at the top of the learning curve, educators are usually early adopters of technology. WLAN technology is particularly attractive to educational institutions for several reasons — they’re technologically savvy and understand how technology can be used to enhance curriculum and education - students and faculty are a highly mobile audience - and often the older buildings cannot be wired or it is cost prohibitive to install wired connections.
Bluesocket secures WLAN at Berkeley College
Berkeley College is one of those early adopters. Established in 1931, with 5 campuses spread out in northern New Jersey and New York, the college already had a wireless network set up in small pockets with multi-access throughout the college. But there had been little effort to consolidate these areas so they could be centrally managed or a strong security policy incorporated. As Leonard DeBotton, VP of Information Systems at Berkeley, points out, “With more and more faculty and students utilizing the WLAN and bringing in a range of devices, we knew we needed to address the security issues right away.”
NRI had just put together a total wireless deployment plan for Rutgers University so they were familiar with the technology challenges unique to educational institutions. So when Berkeley called they were able to quickly assess their situation and provide them with the right WLAN solution to meet their needs. Based on their evaluation and findings NRI selected a solution based on Bluesocket’s Wireless Gateways to support the wireless networks throughout the college campus. More than 100 educational institutions are using Bluesocket to provide low cost of ownership, quick installation and easy-to-maintain yet flexible systems for administrating, managing and securing a wide variety of wireless devices from campus to campus.
Within a short period of time Berkeley’s implementation was up and running successfully with no downtime or interruption to their daily operations. “We needed a wireless solution that would provide us the much needed WLAN security and centralized manageability without any significant changes to our existing infrastructure and be compatible with our existing equipment,” Leonard stressed. “ NRI was able to evaluate and creatively overcome the unique challenges we had and implement a wireless solution that met all our criteria…and within our budget!”
Within a short period of time Berkeley’s implementation was up and running successfully with no downtime or interruption to their daily operations. “We needed a wireless solution that would provide us the much needed WLAN security and centralized manageability without any significant changes to our existing infrastructure and be compatible with our existing equipment,” Leonard stressed. “ NRI was able to evaluate and creatively overcome the unique challenges we had and implement a wireless solution that met all our criteria…and within our budget!”
Distinguish your school as a hi-tech learning institution and gain a competitive edge with wireless on your campus.
Providing wireless access is a strong recruitment tool at campuses competing for students, faculty, and prominent conferences: Because there are no geographical limits to the virtual campus, research and information-sharing capabilities are limitless. Berkeley can now offer more courses to non-traditional students (international, disabled, out of state), enhance student and teacher learning, productivity and interaction, and prevent overcrowding in their computer labs.
The advantages of wireless for all industries
Educational institutions aren’t the only ones benefiting from wireless technology. For an executive on the run, wireless technology means grabbing a coffee at Starbucks and e-mailing his management team real-time without having to search for a phone jack or data line. A sales person visiting a client’s location can access his company’s network resources from his client’s location to instantly obtain important pricing information. Hospitals can register patients bedside and access patient histories instantly. Whether you work in an office, warehouse, retail shop, factory floor, school, hospital, small office, on the road or home office you can benefit from anytime, anywhere wireless access.
NRI is an experienced leader in wireless technology. To see how your organization can benefit from wireless technology, contact us at 1.800.828.3333 for an assessment of your WLAN requirements |
Research shows that 73% of the education sector surveyed said they have wireless access to their networks, well above the percentages for industry and governments. Gartner says that, “By 2005, institutions not offering wireless access will be at a recruiting disadvantage”.
Wireless Q & A
Below are just a few of the questions we are frequently asked about wireless networks. Give us a call with your questions and one of our wireless experts will be happy to answer them.
Q: How many users can a WLAN system support?
A: The number of users is virtually unlimited. Simply adding network access points can expand the number of users. By introducing overlapping access points, set at different frequencies (channels), the wireless network can expand to accommodate additional simultaneous users in the same area.
Q: Will I need to replace my computer to use Bluesocket’s WLAN solutions?
A: No. Bluesocket WLAN products can be used with your existing notebook, Desktop PC, or any wireless device.
Q: Are WLANs secure?
A: Yes, WLANs are very secure. Because wireless technology has roots in military applications, security provisions have long been designed into wireless devices so that wireless LANs are typically more secure than most wired LANs. WLANs use Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology, which is extremely resistant to corruption, interference, jamming, and detection. In addition, all wireless users on your network can identify themselves with a system ID that prevents unauthorized users from gaining access. It is virtually impossible for unintended receivers and eavesdroppers to listen in on wireless LAN traffic.
Q: What is the transmission range of WLAN product?
A: Radio Frequency (RF) range, especially in indoor environments, is a function of product design, including transmitted power and receiver design, interference, and transmittal path. Interactions with typical building objects, including walls, metal, and even people, can affect energy transmittal. Wireless LAN systems use RF because radio waves can penetrate many indoor walls and surfaces. Coverage can be extended, and freedom of true mobility and roaming can be provided for a greater area through the use of multiple access points.
Q: Are Bluesocket WLAN products interoperable with other product brands?
A: Yes. Bluesocket WLAN products are compatible with products from different vendors as long as those products are also IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) and WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) compliant.
Q: Is the installation and administration of a WLAN difficult?
A: No. A wireless LAN is simpler to install than a wired LAN, and the administration of the two network types is very similar. |
