Purpose
Guide the deployment of wireless networking on the SMC campus to ensure reliable, compatible, and secure operation
Protect the security of Samuel Merritt College's information resources and electronic communications
Scope
This policy applies to all uses of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies at all physical locations of Samuel Merritt College, both inside buildings and in outdoor areas. It does not apply to cellular wireless technology.
Definitions
802.11b/g: An IEEE standard for wireless data networking.
Access Point: A hardware device that serves as a communications "hub" for wireless clients and provides a connection to the wired LAN.
SSID: The "Service Set Identifier" may be used as a relatively insecure security key for a WLAN, somewhat like a password. If the SSID is set in the Access Point, then only client wireless cards configured with the same SSID may connect to that Access Point.
WEP: "Wired Equivalent Privacy" that provides limited security to a wireless connection by encrypting all data transmitted between the computer and the Access Point. At this time, 40-bit and 128-bit WEP is available on most vendors' Access Points and Samuel Merritt College supports both.
Wireless PC Card: Hardware device in a client computer (most often a card that fits in a PCMCIA Type II slot in a notebook computer) that communicates with an Access Point via radio signals (i.e., without wires). Also known as "wireless client adapter".
WLAN: "Wireless Local Area Network". The term often used for a wireless network within a limited area consisting of one or more wireless Access Points that provide network connectivity to computers equipped with wireless capability (usually a notebook computer with a wireless PC card). In essence, a WLAN provides the functionality of a wired LAN without the physical constraints of the wire.
Policy
Technology
Only the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standards for wireless LANs is allowed.
All Access Points will be Chantry 1000 Series or newer. No other vendor or model of future Access Points will be permitted on the SMC campus. Existing non-approved Access Points must be removed.
For PC cards that support 802.11b/g and 128-bit WEP encryption are required.
Only the IP protocol will be supported on the SMC WLAN.
The Network Services Manager or designee is responsible for updates to the technology standards as the industry and technology changes.
Installation and Management
Information Technology Services will be the sole provider of design, specification, installation, operation, maintenance, and management services for all wireless Access Points. On-campus SMC departments and affiliates requiring WLAN capability will contact ITS for installation. ITS will be responsible for all costs (e.g., hardware and software, wired network connection and power to the Access Point). Wireless equipment will be owned and managed by ITS.
Students may not install or operate WLAN Access Points in/or on any SMC campuses.
The service demarcation point will be the Access Point itself. ITS is responsible for the Access Point and the wired network to which it is attached. Students are responsible for all costs associated with purchase, installation, operation, and support of wireless PC cards in client computers.
All IP addresses for the SMC WLAN will assigned by a separate DHCP services maintained by ITS.
A site survey by ITS must be done prior to design and installation to insure radio frequency integrity, optimum location for coverage and to facilitate connection to power and the wired data network, and to identify possible interference problems.
Installation must comply with all health, safety, building, and fire codes.
Radio Signal Interference
802.11b/g WLANs operate in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz range and conform to the IEEE 802.11 DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) specification. Other wireless devices use the same 2.4 Ghz frequency band and may disrupt the operation of the SMC wireless network. These include cordless phones, cameras, keyboards, mice, audio speakers, and other wireless LAN devices (like Bluetooth and earlier versions of 802.11). To assure the highest level of service to WLAN clients, the use of all other 2.4 and 5 GHz devices should be discontinued on the SMC campuses.
In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, ETS will work with faculty to mitigate the interference and accommodate the device without disrupting the SMC WLAN.
In the event that both cannot operate without interference, research use will be given top priority, followed by specific educational purposes, followed by general WLAN access.
Security/Access
All users of the SMC WLAN are required to conform to acceptable use of the wireless network.
Guide the deployment of wireless networking on the SMC campus to ensure reliable, compatible, and secure operation
Protect the security of Samuel Merritt College's information resources and electronic communications
Scope
This policy applies to all uses of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies at all physical locations of Samuel Merritt College, both inside buildings and in outdoor areas. It does not apply to cellular wireless technology.
Definitions
802.11b/g: An IEEE standard for wireless data networking.
Access Point: A hardware device that serves as a communications "hub" for wireless clients and provides a connection to the wired LAN.
SSID: The "Service Set Identifier" may be used as a relatively insecure security key for a WLAN, somewhat like a password. If the SSID is set in the Access Point, then only client wireless cards configured with the same SSID may connect to that Access Point.
WEP: "Wired Equivalent Privacy" that provides limited security to a wireless connection by encrypting all data transmitted between the computer and the Access Point. At this time, 40-bit and 128-bit WEP is available on most vendors' Access Points and Samuel Merritt College supports both.
Wireless PC Card: Hardware device in a client computer (most often a card that fits in a PCMCIA Type II slot in a notebook computer) that communicates with an Access Point via radio signals (i.e., without wires). Also known as "wireless client adapter".
WLAN: "Wireless Local Area Network". The term often used for a wireless network within a limited area consisting of one or more wireless Access Points that provide network connectivity to computers equipped with wireless capability (usually a notebook computer with a wireless PC card). In essence, a WLAN provides the functionality of a wired LAN without the physical constraints of the wire.
Policy
Technology
Only the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g standards for wireless LANs is allowed.
All Access Points will be Chantry 1000 Series or newer. No other vendor or model of future Access Points will be permitted on the SMC campus. Existing non-approved Access Points must be removed.
For PC cards that support 802.11b/g and 128-bit WEP encryption are required.
Only the IP protocol will be supported on the SMC WLAN.
The Network Services Manager or designee is responsible for updates to the technology standards as the industry and technology changes.
Installation and Management
Information Technology Services will be the sole provider of design, specification, installation, operation, maintenance, and management services for all wireless Access Points. On-campus SMC departments and affiliates requiring WLAN capability will contact ITS for installation. ITS will be responsible for all costs (e.g., hardware and software, wired network connection and power to the Access Point). Wireless equipment will be owned and managed by ITS.
Students may not install or operate WLAN Access Points in/or on any SMC campuses.
The service demarcation point will be the Access Point itself. ITS is responsible for the Access Point and the wired network to which it is attached. Students are responsible for all costs associated with purchase, installation, operation, and support of wireless PC cards in client computers.
All IP addresses for the SMC WLAN will assigned by a separate DHCP services maintained by ITS.
A site survey by ITS must be done prior to design and installation to insure radio frequency integrity, optimum location for coverage and to facilitate connection to power and the wired data network, and to identify possible interference problems.
Installation must comply with all health, safety, building, and fire codes.
Radio Signal Interference
802.11b/g WLANs operate in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz range and conform to the IEEE 802.11 DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) specification. Other wireless devices use the same 2.4 Ghz frequency band and may disrupt the operation of the SMC wireless network. These include cordless phones, cameras, keyboards, mice, audio speakers, and other wireless LAN devices (like Bluetooth and earlier versions of 802.11). To assure the highest level of service to WLAN clients, the use of all other 2.4 and 5 GHz devices should be discontinued on the SMC campuses.
In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, ETS will work with faculty to mitigate the interference and accommodate the device without disrupting the SMC WLAN.
In the event that both cannot operate without interference, research use will be given top priority, followed by specific educational purposes, followed by general WLAN access.
Security/Access
All users of the SMC WLAN are required to conform to acceptable use of the wireless network.