Also available at http://www.convergemag.com/magazine/story.phtml?id=3030000000008379
--- This is a long but interesting article on how schools can and do use wi-fi. The first section is intro. Scroll down or search for "laptop carts, a kind of computer lab on wheels.". The good stuff starts there, and continues on to "connect multiple school buildings in a wireless WAN." Rob Node 639 --- Breaking Free with Wireless Networking Wireless solutions are decreasing in cost and increasing in reliability. ... Barriers that have inhibited wireless growth are now being resolved. By John Fleischman - February 2002 When I was a teenager, we corralled our cars at the high-school parking lot to play music, socialize and make plans for the next party. In the Sil-icon Valley, there's a high school where the kids also corral their cars on weeknights and on weekends, but for another purpose. These kids are pulling into the parking lot with their laptops and wireless local area network (LAN) cards so they can access the school's wireless 11 Mbps (megabytes per second) network connection. At 11 Mbps, the wireless connection from the parking lot is a good deal faster than their home modems or even their DSL or cable modem Internet connections. As wireless LAN solutions drop in cost and improve in reliability, mobile network access is becoming more widespread. Wireless LANs typically consist of laptop computers that connect to fixed access points via infrared or radio signals. In some institutions, wireless mobile labs are being sub- stituted for wired, fixed computer labs. In other institutions, especially within higher education, entire buildings are being set up for wireless connections for laptop-toting students. Concurrent with the growth of wire- less LANs is the increased implementation of wireless wide area networks (WANs) and personal area networks (PANs). Wireless point-to-point WANs often consist of towers and antennas that transmit radio waves or use microwave technology to connect large segments of a network. Personal area networks are typically defined as filling a "personal area" wireless world of less than three meters. In other words, it's a wireless connection between PCs, peripherals and portables that will let the devices share and synchronize information, without having to make a physical connection. Experts in the field still point to the problems inherent in wireless tech- nology, including limitations of available bandwidth, problems with inter- ference and security concerns with transmitting information over open airwaves. However, many of these barriers that have inhibited the growth of wireless technology are now being resolved. Issues that revolved around standardization are being overcome, and an increasing number of companies are offering a variety of hardware and software solutions. WIRELESS LANS Wireless LAN use in education is gaining wide acceptance as the hardware options are increasing. Most major laptop computer manufacturers offer wireless as an integrated option, and with desktop vendors, it's a standard check-box item. This acceptance is the result of a combination of factors including stability, pricing and acceptance that make it a powerful and straightforward networking option. Wireless LAN products' prices have fallen dramatically over the past year. The PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card format finally broke the $100 price barrier, compared to $500 per card several years ago. Access point equipment used to cost $1,500, but now small systems that integrate router functionality and firewalls can be purchased for as little as $200. Of course, you get what you pay for, and if you want an access point with roaming support, enhanced security features, good range and management functions, you will pay more. Another important attraction of today's products is interoperability. Thanks to the development of standards, the world of mixing and matching cards with access technology is more straightforward. So what are these wireless LAN standards, anyway? The standards are developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and once developed, become the basis for manufacturers to develop their products. Some of the adopted wireless IEEE LAN standards include: IEEE 802.11 -- original wireless LAN standard that supports 1 Mbps to 2 Mbps; IEEE 802.11a -- high-speed wireless LAN standard for 5 GHz band that supports 54 Mbps; IEEE 802.11b -- current dominant wireless LAN standard that supports 11 Mbps; HiperLAN/2 -- competing high-speed wireless LAN standard for 5 GHz band that supports 54 Mbps; and IEEE 802.1x -- comprehensive security framework for all IEEE networks, including Ethernet and wireless. Today, the market seems to have overwhelmingly accepted the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard. At 11 Mbps, the 802.11b standard provides sufficient speed for most educational applications. Clearly the 802.11a stan- dard is the up-and-coming standard with its promise of higher throughput. A variety of other IEEE wireless LAN standards are under development for standards that deal with improved performance, security, access points and spectrum manage- ment techniques. Among users in education, institutions with large numbers of laptops are leading the charge to wireless. Some schools are deploying access points in meeting rooms, auditoriums and classrooms. Quite a number of schools are purchasing wireless laptop carts, a kind of computer lab on wheels. Some schools are finding wireless technology cost-effective because it can be set up easily without the need for network cabling. Hard wiring often creates unexpected problems such as lack of space in existing conduits or unanticipated problems with asbestos. Perhaps even more important is the fact that wireless LANs can eliminate the need for computers to be located within easy access of the networking cable. With wireless LANs, computers can be moved from room to room, thus avoiding having the computers isolated in the computer lab. A good deal of anecdotal information and some research demonstrate positive reasons for considering wire- less mobile labs. Many educators believe that computers belong in the classroom, not in a separate lab environment. According to the Milken Family Foundation on Education Tech- nology, students who had access to computers in their classrooms reported more time using computers for reading, math and writing instruction than lab-based settings. Sixty-one percent of the teachers with access to computers in their own classroom said they were confident in using technology in their teaching compared to only 43 percent of teachers who took their students to the lab for instruction in, about, or with computers. Before going wireless, educators need to consider a variety of factors including desired range, speed and power consumption. If you're going exclusively with Apple products, your choice is simple. The Apple AirPort Base Station unit provides the function of a wireless access point, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, and a network address translation (NAT) firewall. However, the feature that sets the AirPort Base Station apart from the rest is the built-in modem, which makes it easy to share non-broadband connections. Unfortunately, without at least one Mac on the network, the station can be difficult to configure. If you're building a wireless network exclusively for Windows-based computers, it's a good idea to make all of your purchases from one vendor to ensure compatibility. Some of the computer and networking companies that offer wireless LAN systems that are adaptable for schools include: 3Com <www.3com.com/wireless> Agere Systems <www.wavelan.com/products> Apple Computer <www.apple.com/airport> Cisco <www.cisco.com/warp/public/44/jump/wireless.shtml> Compaq <www.compaq.com/products/wireless> Intel <www.intel.com/wireless> Proxim <www.proxim.com> WIRELESS WANS Along with wireless LANs is an emerging trend to connect multiple school buildings in a wireless WAN. According to Bob Carter, WAN coordinator at the Sacramento County Office of Education, wireless point-to-point networks have become an attractive option because they're faster than a T1 line, and there are no required monthly fees. Wireless point-to-point uses the license-free 2.4 gigahertz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) radio band frequency to transmit data between two points up to 6 miles apart. Since the band is license-free, there are no traffic charges or ongoing fees that need to be paid to utility companies. At Grant Joint Union High School District (JUHSD) in Sacramento, Calif., a wireless WAN is the preferred method of connecting schools. According to Dave Marcum, network coordinator at Grant JUHSD, a Spread Spectrum solution generally runs about $6,000 per building, but that figure could easily pay for itself in a year with the money saved in leased-line charges. This high-school district has been a pioneer of the wireless WAN. Using a variety of wireless technologies, Grant JUHSD has built a sophisticated network connecting most of its schools with high-speed connectivity. According to their superintendent, Dr. Larry Buchanan, the long-term plans include videoconferencing capability in every classroom and the ability to use broadband instructional applications. At the Sacramento County Office of Education, Bob Carter recently explored the feasibility of connecting the nearby juvenile hall using DSSS. His plan included using 40-foot towers, and a Cisco wireless solution that would offer up to an 11 Mbps throughput. "Be sure to get a comprehensive site survey if you're planning to go with wireless technology," Carter said. It definitely pays to have a contractor determine exact point-to-point distance and verify that there are not current or possible future obstructions. MORE WIRELESS STANDARDS Like the 802.11b 11 Mbps wireless standard, another standard is growing in popularity. Known as Bluetooth, this up-and-coming short-range wireless technology standard allows users to connect peripherals without cables. For example, if you have a Bluetooth-enabled PDA (personal digital assistant) and a cell phone, you could use the cell phone as a wireless connection to send files from your PDA. The idea of a Bluetooth PAN is not just another passing technology fad; rather, some major companies such as Intel, IBM and Motorola are making serious commitments to evolve this standard. In an educational environment, Bluetooth and the concept of a PAN could be valuable for the very time-consuming administrative responsibilities. Several companies are already incorporating Bluetooth into their hardware and defining how PANs may be used in education. Symbol Technologies is implementing Bluetooth-enabled PDAs, and computer manufacturers such as Toshiba and IBM are offering Bluetooth PC cards. MAKE INFORMED POINT-IN-TIME DECISIONS The wireless networking solutions that are available today are just the beginning of a growing trend. The 802.11a standard promises greater bandwidth in the near future over different radio bands. There are remaining security and interference hurdles to overcome, but there is certainly tremendous potential for the future of these wireless networks. When evaluating and acquiring wire- less solutions, it is extremely important to research current standards and technologies and make informed purchasing decisions. As with any technology, decisions need to be predicated on desired educational outcomes aligned with your agency's educational goals. With careful planning and implementation, the idea of anywhere, anytime connectivity (and learning) may become a genuine reality in your not-too-distant future. John Fleischman The Director of Instructional Technology and Learning Resources at The Sacramento County Office of Education(Calif.). __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? 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