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Bellarmine University: Wireless Networks: Planning for Success
11/1/2002
The next step in our process was the site survey, which would determine the appropriate placement of the wireless access points. The results indicated we would need six access points on each floor, down a 200-foot hallway. With access points that carry coverage of almost 200 feet—this was almost unbelievable. However, Kennedy/Newman is one of the original buildings on campus, and is made of the type of walls that absorbs wireless signals. Without the site survey, we would have missed the mark on coverage for the building. Once we knew where to locate the access points, it was time for wiring. While it is true that end users need not plug their computing devices into a wired jack, there are nonetheless wires for IT and facility departments to contend with. With the location of each access point already determined, all that was needed was a network connection and electricity.
With the system installed and operational, the only thing left was encouraging the students to use the wireless network. Flyers announcing the new service were created and distributed to all students in the residence halls. Step-by-step installation instructions were placed on the Web. E-mail messages were sent to all residents advertising the service, and providing them the Web link. Help Desk personnel held "Wireless Workshops" in the residence halls to assist students in getting their connections setup and established. The extra work paid off—over one-third of the residents in Kennedy/Newman use the wireless network. Those not connected do not own a computer, or cite the cost of the wireless card as a problem.
The technical issues surrounding the installation of wireless networks include making the computing devices wireless-network-ready and making wireless coverage in the buildings sufficiently comprehensive. We must also ensure that our campus derives all of the benefits that wireless-network technology promises, and do all this within the constraints of time and budget. Each of these items must be considered, and if you do not incorporate thorough consideration of them all in your planning, those wires could wind up hanging you up, along with your hopes.
Joy Hatch is Director of Information Services Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky. She can be reached at (502) 452-8301.
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