Airspace Guideline
Overview: Huntington University's wireless network allows access to all computing facilities from mobile or portable computer user. Potential problems can result when other devices use the same radio frequency. Wireless users must have a clear understanding of technologies that are permitted or banned from our wireless environment.
Applies to: This guideline applies to all campus affiliates. This includes students, faculty and staff members as well as guest users.
Purpose of the Guideline:This guideline was established to ensure that the Huntington University community has a clear understanding of proper procedure and usage. Technology Services reserves the right to modify this guideline as necessary.
Definition / Clarification: Wireless LAN Specifications: The Huntington University network uses the FCC unlicensed 2.4 GHz Industrial/Scientific/ Medical (ISM) band. Wireless transmissions within that band conform to the IEEE 802.11 DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) wireless LAN specification. Certain other "wireless" devices exist in the market place that also employ the same 2.4 GHz frequency band and can cause interference to users of the Huntington University Wireless service. These devices include, but are not limited to other IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN devices, such as: wireless bridges, wireless routers, wireless access points, cordless telephones, cameras, and audio speakers.
Guideline Statement: In order to assure the highest level of service to the users of the Huntington University network, Technology Services needs help from all members of the campus community to minimize the potential interference from non authorized 2.4 GHz devices. Technology Services requests that use of all other 2.4 GHz devices be discontinued in university-owned buildings. In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, Technology Services will work with faculty to determine whether there are circumstances under which use of the device may still be accommodated without causing interference to Huntington University users.
This ban INCLUDES any wireless equipped Macintosh configured to act as an Airport Software Base Station. Apple AirPort Base Stations may be used by off campus DSL and cable modem users.
- Apple AirPort: AirPort is a family of products from Apple Computer, Inc. that offers wireless networking capabilities for Macintosh computers. It includes two hardware products along with the software necessary to use them.
- Apple Airport Card: A wireless Ethernet card that allows your AirPort-capable Macintosh to communicate with other wireless equipped computers and base stations via radio waves, at distances of up to 150 feet. The use of properly configured Apple AirPort Cards is permitted on campus as well as other wireless cards that meet the IEEE standard.
- Apple AirPort Base Station/AirPort Extreme Base Station: A device that plugs into an existing "wired" connection and allows computers with wireless cards to access the wired network, share music and printing. The use of any Apple AirPort Base Station is NOT ALLOWED.
The ban of end user wireless access points prevents interference with the Huntington University Wireless Network, which has been carefully implemented for the best coverage and performance. Any 'new' or 'unknown' access points can greatly interfere with wireless users around you.
If you think you have an existing system that may use 2.4 GHz radios for transmission or you are planning to purchase a wireless system and you are uncertain if it employs 2.4 GHz radios, please contact the Help Center (contact information included below) to determine if such devices will cause interference to the Huntington University system.
User Responsibilities and Procedures: Users are responsible for adhering to the Airspace Guidelines. Technology Services requests that all affiliates refrain from using all 2.4 GHz devices in university-owned buildings. In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, Technology Services will work with faculty to determine whether there are circumstances under which use of the device may still be accommodated without causing interference to Huntington University network and its users.
If faculty has a need to use one of these devices for instruction, they should contact Technology Services Help Center (contact information included below) to discuss an arrangement.