January 2007 IT News

Wireless access to the campus network and the Internet is fast becoming a requirement for University of Utah students, faculty, staff and visitors. In April 2006, the Information Technology Council (ITC) approved an initiative for ubiquitous wireless coverage at the University of Utah, defined as “ campus-wide encrypted and authenticated wireless coverage providing persistent connections in transit” (see ITC meeting minutes from April 2006, Section IV:

www.it.utah.edu/leadership/committees/ITC/minutes/itc_minutes_2006_04.pdf).

 

Departments interested in actively participating in wireless for their buildings/areas can:

• purchase and maintain their own wireless hardware with their own funds,
• purchase and maintain their own wireless hardware with campus funds (see below), or
• have OIT/NetOps install and maintain the hardware for them. (OIT would also own the hardware.)

Departments can request funding either through Student Computing Advisory Committee (SCAC) or Office of Information Technology (OIT) funds, below. All departments who receive either SCAC or OIT funding must ensure their wireless APs/networks comply with Campus Wireless Standards as defined by the campus Wireless Committee (an ITC subcommittee).

Wireless Installs/Upgrades Funding Options

Departmental Funds

Departments may use their own funding to purchase, upgrade and maintain APs. These APs are not required to meet Campus Wireless Standards, but departments are encouraged to participate in the campus initiative for ubiquitous wireless coverage.

 

Student Computing Advisory Committee (SCAC)/Task Force Funds

Departments that want to own and maintain their APs need to apply to SCAC for funding if they want to purchase or upgrade/replace APs. In the 2006 SCAC procedure, wireless requests had to be filled out separately. During the next SCAC round (due February 2007), departments can request money for wireless in the regular Student Facilities Program proposal. Please also see the related story, below.

 

Campus Wireless Initiative Funds

Departments who wish to have OIT own and manage their APs should apply for Campus Wireless Initiative funding - another piece of task force funding that was allocated to OIT/NetOps to achieve the ubiquitous coverage on campus. The SCAC committee will review and prioritize the request. OIT will install the APs based on their schedule and the prioritization. OIT will then upgrade/replace the APs as needed, depending on funds availability.