I'm considering a student-funded Wifi refresh project. Our Wifi system was designed for 2.4Ghz, with 2.4/5Ghz dual-radio APs added over the last two years such that the new AP was just dropped into the same spot as the old 2.4-only model. These are mainly in hallways instead of student rooms.
Needless to say, the 5Ghz coverage isn't very good. The overlap is just bad enough that 5Ghz devices are often at a range where they get signal that's just good enough to avoid jumping to 2.4, especially certain devices **cough**apple**cough**, but is noticeable weaker than what we'd like to see. Overall adding 5Ghz has been an improvement over 2.4-only, but it hasn't helped to the degree that it should. The next logical step is to get the APs into student rooms. However, the funding just isn't there right now. Having just spent the money for dual-radio APs, the thinking is to get another year out of this equipment and start the move to 802.11ac next summer. Hopefully the ac stuff will be cheaper by then, as well. To help us get through this next year, I'm working on a proposal to have students sponsor new access points. If, say, a 4-student suite can put the funds together for a new AP, we'll put the AP in their room for this year. Of course, the next year we'll be free to move the AP to where it will do the most good. I'm going to propose we ask student to put up 50% of the cost of the AP. More than that, and they may feel that they own the device, and tamper with or take it with them. Less than that, and there's not much point to making the offer. It helps that our APs are fairly inexpensive to begin with; the student cost would be about $250, and that's a reasonable amount with split 2-4 ways. Joel Coehoorn Director of Information Technology 402.363.5603 *[email protected] <[email protected]>* The mission of York College is to transform lives through Christ-centered education and to equip students for lifelong service to God, family, and society ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
