Wireless Network Upgrade Status Update!

The Samuel Merritt College Network Services Team has been working on the installation and configuration of the new wireless network. While this upgrade is not yet complete we would like to keep you informed of our progress to date. The new wireless network is currently up and running in the Graziano Library, Bechtel Hall and all Learning Centers. Wireless users in these buildings will notice a new wireless network name (or SSID) of “SMC-WiFI”. Wireless users who see this network name broadcasting can select it and be automatically connected.

SSID’s For Learning Centers:
SFO-WiFI – St. Luke’s Campus
SAN-WiFI – San Mateo Campus
SAC-WiFI – Sacramento Campus
SFOs-WiFI – St. Mary’s Campus

The Wireless Upgrade will be completed in the following phases:

PHASE I:

The first phase of the wireless upgrade project is to upgrade the older, less functional wireless components that exist on the network today. This will provide several benefits: it will provide for consistent feature-availability network-wide; increase the maximum communication speed from 11 to 54 Mbs; replace the old 802.11 b capable units with tri-mode 802.11 a/b/g technology; provide a higher density of wireless access points to improve coverage; add enhanced authentication methods; provide for improved security.

PHASE II:

The second phase is to expand coverage to campus locations that have not been provided wireless coverage in the past:

Campus	Coverage Area
Oakland	Class Rooms
	Skills Labs
	Computer Labs
	HEC
	Peralta Pavilion
	3100 Telegraph MOB

 

FAQ’s

Who can access the SMC wireless network? Here are the individuals who can access to the wireless network:

Faculty and Staff:

All current college faculty and staff.

Current Students:

Students must be enrolled in the current term and have a valid SMC username and password.

College Guests:

Individuals may request a guest account by contacting the Helpdesk at 510-869-6836.

Where do I report problems and get help?

Problems related to the wireless network should be reported to the Helpdesk at 510-869-6836, or via service request. (https://request.samuelmerritt.edu/helpdesk)

Where is the new wireless access available?

Wireless access is currently available in many of the common areas around each campus.

Oakland	Coverage Area
	BH-Living Room
	BH-Second Floor
	BH-Second Floor
	BH-Third Floor
	BH-Third Floor
	BH-Fourth Floor
	BH-Fourth Floor
	BH-Fifth Floor
	BH-Fifth Floor
	BH-Six Floor
	BH-Six Floor
	Sammy’s Café
	Towne Court
	Graziano Library East Side
	Graziano Library West Side
	Graziano Library North Side
	Graziano Library South Side
	Graziano Library Middle Side
	Providence Pavilion 3rd Floor North
	Providence Pavilion 3rd Floor South
	Peralta Pavilion Living Room
Sacramento	Coverage Area
	2700 – Class Room #1
	2700 – Class Room #2
	2700 – Computer Lab/Lounge
	2710 – Skills Area
San Mateo	Coverage Area
	Class Room #1
	Class Room #2/Skill Area
	Computer Lab/Lounge
San Francisco	Coverage Area
	Class Room #1, #2
	Computer Lab
St. Mary’s-SFO	Coverage Area
	4th Floor/Computer Lab

 

New Wireless Network Coming Soon!

Samuel Merritt College is currently undergoing a complete infrastructure upgrade that consists of replacing and upgrading all critical network components of the College. One of the major components of the upgrade includes the replacement of our current Chantry Wireless environment with a state of the art Cisco Wireless Network.

Wireless networking refers to technology that lets two or more computers communicate using standard network protocols but without hard network cabling. Any technology that does this could be called wireless networking, but current nomenclature generally refers to wireless LANs adhering to the "WiFI" standard.

“WiFI” allows users with laptop computers access to the Internet from almost any point on campus. Add something about the range capability of the access points? Wireless is becoming a common expectation and its availability is an important part of the future of the Internet. There has been a demand from students, staff and faculty for more access, increased bandwidth, larger coverage area, reliability, and security. This upgrade addresses those concerns.

In addition to laptops, wireless technology of the future will also provide access for PDA devices and Web telephony, including voice over IP (VOIP).

Wireless network access points (“invisible” send-receive devices or however you want to describe them) will be installed across the Oakland campus, as well as all Learning Centers. This upgrade will bring parts of the college that were never computer accessible before - classrooms, auditoriums, student lounges, common areas - network availability.

This project includes adding wireless capabilities for use by students, faculty and staff. We plan to deploy more than 100 wireless access points over the next 6 months, and we will work steadily toward fuller campus coverage during the coming academic year in academic, administrative and other common areas.

While wireless technology has advantages, it also has some drawbacks compared with hard-wire networks, most notably, comparatively slower data throughput and security vulnerabilities. Once the access points are in place, we will disseminate information about how you can log into the system using your wireless computer device.
This project will be administered and supported by the Samuel Merritt Colleges Network Services Team.

New SSID (Service Set Identifier):

Sacramento Wireless Network: SAC-WiFI
San Mateo Wireless Network: SAN-WiFI
St. Luke’s Wireless Network: SFO-WiFI
Oakland Wireless Network: SMC-WiFI

Phase I:
Deployment of Access Points to Local and Regional Learning Centers:
Sacramento: February 7, 2008
San Mateo: February 14, 2008
St. Luke’s: February 22, 2008

Phase II:
Deployment of Access Points to Oakland Campus
Oakland Campus: March – May 2008

Welcome Michael Tam

In December 2007 Michael Tam accepted the full-time position of Web Designer. Michael joined the ITS team in March 2007 as a contract worker following sudden personnel changes in the department. With previous experience in website programming, design, and customer relations with local electronic commerce companies, Michael has made a tremendous impact in filling the void and quickly mastering the Drupal Content Management System which drive's SMC's website.

Michael is currently working with members of ITS and College leadership to implement the next generation of the Samuel Merritt College website. In his role as web designer, Michael will help lead the way in innovating web resources to better serve the College Community and to better inform prospective students and other friends of Samuel Merritt College.

Blair Simmons Named as New IT Director
In November 2007, Blair accepted the position of IT Director, having served in the leadership role on an interim basis for the previous five months.

Blair has over 10 years of information technology experience in higher education with extensive knowledge of Sungard Higher Education Student Information System products. Prior to arriving at SMC in May 2007, Blair served five years as the Director of Information Technology at Menlo College.

Technical Support and Training Drop-in Hours
Information technology Services has established technical support and training drop-in hours at the Peralta Pavilion Computer Lab. Each week will focus on different technologies. An updated support and training calendar will be available on the Samuel Merritt College Helpdesk [1] website.

Magic Survey
Request was resolved in a satisfactory manner: 88.5%
Request was resolved in a timely fashion: 87.5%

Service Level Report
Meeting SLA: (from time of implementation 5/1)
SLA % done w/in SLA
P1_CRITICAL 80%
P2_MAJOR 75%
P3_MINOR 80%
P4_TRIVIAL 68%
P5_ENHANCEMENT 89%

AVG 78.4

Daily Volume Summary
Day 1 - Sunday 47
Day 2 - Monday 431
Day 3 - Tuesday 456
Day 4 - Wednesday 474
Day 5 - Thursday 438
Day 6 - Friday 302
Day 7 - Saturday 19
Grand Total: 2167

Wednesday is the most popular ticket day!