University Park

University connects with wireless computing

Wireless networking has come of age at Penn State as more and more University computer users are unplugging their laptops and taking advantage of the high speed wireless access service recently installed at the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus. Laptop users can now access e-mail, the Penn State Portal, LIAS and many other Internet services while sipping coffee between classes in the HUB's upstairs student lounge or conducting research in the Robeson Center Library.

Developed by Information Technology Services (ITS), Penn State's wireless service also is in operation at several other University Park buildings, including portions of Shields Building, University Support Building 2 and the Telecommunications Building. In addition, a number of Penn State campuses have acquired the technology and many offices and departments University-wide are in the process of installing it. For details, check the Web at http://its.psu.edu/wireless/wirelesslocations.html.

"This is a very handy system," said Malgosia Kaczmarek, a visiting scholar in the Department of Electrical Engineering, who frequently has used the wireless connection in the HUB lounge since she arrived at Penn State. "It's a great convenience not to have to worry about cables, plugs or configurations when I'm traveling with my laptop."

Wireless connectivity at the HUB currently includes the red brick pedestrian walk outside of the building, from the portico to the water fountain across the street; the Robeson Center Library; and the upstairs student lounge, according to Steven Houtz, telecommunications analyst in ITS-Consulting and Support Services.

"Scalability and ease of use are two critical aspects of the service's design both at the HUB and throughout Penn State's wireless system, and a third aspect makes the University's service secure," said Steve Updegrove, senior director of ITS-Telecommunications Networking and Services. "With some wireless services anyone within range using the right equipment could eavesdrop and gain access to them, but the use of Penn State's Virtual Private Network (VPN) in conjunction with this system ensures that wireless traffic is encrypted automatically."

Another advantage, explained Updegrove, is that organizations that want to acquire Penn State's wireless network can choose from two specific service packages depending on their individual needs. Offices that already have purchased or arranged for "outside" wireless services can make their network part of the University system (and also more secure) by augmenting their existing wireless LANs with Penn State's service-package, ITS Wireless: SecureNet Assist, which uses state-of-the-art encryption technology. Alternatively, those who want to set up the University's full wireless service can do this by selecting the ITS Wireless: SecureNet Complete package.

Reports from offices and colleges that have installed the technology are positive. At Penn State Harrisburg, faculty are using wireless networking in six classrooms to support teaching and learning efforts, and students at the campus School of Information Sciences and Technology program have had the opportunity to study the technology itself in a hands-on learning environment.

"One of the cutting-edge landmarks at our campus is a one-of-a-kind lab we built that protects Penn State's secure wireless environment while giving students the opportunity to learn about wireless technology and design their own experimental architectures," said Robert Brinkley, director of Instructional and Information Technologies (IIT) at Penn State Harrisburg. "This facility has been very popular with students."

In another part of the commonwealth, students at the Dickinson School of Law are able to hold study groups and munch on pizza while they connect to the Internet via the new wireless network in the Cafe' Per Se of Trickett Hall.

"Originally we installed the wireless network on the ground floor where students congregate," said Joyce Skarlatos, network and voice systems coordinator. "The students were so enthusiastic with the results that the decision was made to expand the wireless network to the first and second floors of Trickett Hall, which houses the law library and classrooms, in time for fall semester."

"I believe this is a unique opportunity that will grow as students acquire better skills and tools," said Magdy Taha, facility manager at HUB-Robeson Center, who recently learned that SecureNet Complete now is available to students in the Robeson Center's Library. "I can envision how it will be extremely useful for a student conducting research in our library to be able to connect to e-mail or University Libraries' online catalog."

According to Updegrove, as more faculty, staff and students use laptop computers and other devices which can use wireless services, new levels of convenience and "connectedness" in teaching, learning and research will be possible.

"The creative interests of those who use this technology will determine where it takes us from here," he said.

For more information about Penn State's ITS Wireless: SecureNet service, check the Web at http://its.psu.edu/wireless

Last Updated March 20, 2009