Wireless expansion

As society’s need for instant information grows, colleges and universities are implementing or expanding wireless Internet service more and more on their campuses.

In August, Jacksonville University expanded wireless access from certain spots to almost everywhere on its campus – specifically in hallways and common areas of buildings and dorms, said Charlie Ulezelski, JU director of Information Technology Operations.

“We weren’t ready to expand the system until we could do it in a way where we could ensure the security of our network and also protect the security of our people using our system,” Ulezelski said. “That’s why we hadn’t rolled it out anytime soon.”

JU received a $350,000 donation from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc. to help fund the wireless upgrade.

Previously, the school offered limited access in its library, cafeteria and college of business.

The expansion has quickly become popular among JU students, Ulezelski said.

UNF currently offers access to the majority of campus, but there are still areas that are in the process of getting coverage.

“We’re in the process of implementing [wireless] on the Green,” said Lance Taylor, assistant vice president and chief information officer of Information Technology Services. “We’re implementing in areas where people congregate.”

Students can get wireless access in Buildings 1-10, 12, 14-15, 34, 39, 41-43, 45 and 50-51, Taylor said.

Other locations that receive coverage are the Library, Starbucks, around the eateries, the Dorion Fitness Center, the tennis center, parking lots and areas close to campus buildings such as the indoor or outdoor tables and chairs, walkways and benches, said Steve Lyon, assistant director of network services of ITS.

Access is also available in the the common areas of the residence halls.

The only places on campus that receive minimal or no coverage are the nature trails and isolated areas of campus, Taylor said.

There are economic and environmental considerations if wireless access were added to these spots, he said.

“If the money was there, sure you can [add wireless to every part of campus],” Taylor said. “But it’s within reason – if you’re in the middle of Sawmill Slough Swamp, I’m not sure how you’d construct a wireless facility there.”

The Fine Arts Center also presents unique challenges for access due to the auditorium and the overall structure.

“There’s a lot of structure in the building, more so than in other buildings,” Lyon said.

If students face any problems getting access, they should report them to the ITS Support Center help desk, he said.

UNF first got wireless service in 2004.

It started with 30 locations, the first being the Coggin College of Business, Lyon said.

During the years, the number of locations has risen to 240.

There has also been a steady growth of users, and not all of them use laptops.

“Prior to this year, wireless – more than anything – meant laptops, however starting this year, wireless [includes] iPods, iPhones, iTouches, Xboxes and Wiis,” Lyon said.

With the increase of users, connections and devices, more expansion
is expected.

A new standard, 802.11n, which has 150 megabits and offers higher speeds and connections, will be ratified in the next couple months, Lyon said.

Right now the standard is 802.11a and 802.11g.

The most current adoption is 802.11g and offers 22 megabits.

All of these are protocols that ensure bandwidth capacity.

“There’s going to be a huge technology leap in wireless between now and a year from now,”
Lyon said.

In addition to the Green, there are discussions to put more access points in the dorms and the new Student Union Building.

Freshman pre-med major Christine Donaway uses wireless access on her laptop between classes to research for assignments or to check her e-mail.

She usually accesses wireless in the Fine Arts building or the Library, she said.

“You can basically go anywhere, you’re not connected to a cable or have to sit in a certain area and it’s free,” Donaway said.

E-mail Laura Franco at staff2@unfspinnaker.com.