Wollongong rolls out huge wireless network

Aug 19, 2004

Accessing the Internet or sending e-mails is now possible almost anywhere on the University of Wollongong's main campus following the establishment of possibly the largest wireless network of any educational environment in Australia.

UOW has rolled out a wireless network for its 19,000 students and staff that boasts 676 Cisco access points (transceivers). Computer users can now tap into the Internet from any one of the 60 buildings, as well as most outside areas on campus. The University's Sydney Business School is also wireless-enabled.

Following a soft launch with 600 users, the network is currently used by about 80 unique users daily who download about 14 gigabits every week. Users can connect using their own wireless-enabled devices, or can borrow a wireless card from the UOW library for their laptop.

Manager of Emerging Technologies (UOW Information Technology Services), Mr Joe McIver, said the network was primarily brought in to enhance teaching and learning, "We see this as an opportunity for teachers to take a projector and a laptop to anywhere in the University and experience an 'online' environment".

He said the wireless network also helps during peak times such as student enrolment days where additional network access is required.

"From my understanding, the 676 access points make this one of the biggest wireless networks in Australia," Mr McIver said. The network will next be rolled out at the Shoalhaven Campus, halls of residence and UOW's education centres at Loftus, Batemans Bay, Bega and Moss Vale.

Mr McIver said the wireless network would not replace current wired networks. This is a value-add service to what already exists as wired networks will always have faster connection speeds and be faster overall in their operation.

In order to provide flexibility, the new network features both 802.11a and 802.11b connectivity and runs the WPA (Wi-fi Protected Access) security standard. Cisco secure software is used to manage the huge number of access points on the network.

While laptops are commonly used for wireless connection, Mr McIver said it won't be long before people swap their laptops for "Personal Digital Assistants" (PDAs) to access the wireless network. PDAs provide a portable and economical alternative to a wireless laptop.

For further information: contact Mr Joe McIver at the University of Wollongong on (02) 4221 5866.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128