In some locations where there are many offices concentrated we think we can eliminate at least 30% of our switch stack ports which means in a few years instead of needing to replace 10 switches I only need to replace 7. Saving about $10,000 which would pay for additional access points if they were even needed (which we don't think will be the case). We also spend way too much time every summer with people swapping offices and the new tenant wants their desk in a different place and we need to drop another network connection because where they want their PC is not where the current drop is. Then we have to decide do we make both drops hot and use an additional switch port (sometimes needed to add a new switch) or just make one hot. If only one is hot it leads to other problems later because everyone always thinks all ports are hot and will plug something in and when it doesn't work it's a panic call. Or a one person office has to be made to handle two. With an all wireless office they can put their desk anywhere they want and we don't need to be involved. We have a few people who only turn on their desktops PCs now every other week because they can do almost their entire job on a tablet or a laptop and rarely need to use their desktop, yet we still install a drop and take up a switch port and keep upgrading those switch ports every few years. I see that trend continuing, especially for faculty.
-----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hinson, Matthew P Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 10:00 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WiFi Service Level Agreement Mike: It is true that a few quality APs and wireless adapters for the clients can replace wired ports most of the time. I've admin'ed a few sites where this was done, but if you've already got the Ethernet runs done, why work towards the reduction of bespoke ports? Or are you referring to only new construction or room repurposing? Chuck: It was just a brainstorming idea. I wasn't saying that this should be implemented as official policy. I view Wi-Fi as an extension of our wired network that has massive convenience and cost benefits, but at the end of the day, if given the option, I'll take an Ethernet connection 10 times out of 10. -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Cunningham Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 9:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WiFi Service Level Agreement We have just approved a campus strategic plan that calls for a reduction in wired outlets in favor of wireless. Mostly targeted at office desktops where usage is very predictable and not classrooms or other student spaces where it is not. Bandwidth use to our typical office desktop is very low and a cluster of 5-6 desktop users could easily share a single high bandwidth access point instead of 5-6 wired connections. -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Enfield Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 9:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WiFi Service Level Agreement "Wi-Fi is not intended to replace the wired network, but is a convenient, supplemental method for accessing the campus network. Mission-critical applications should NOT rely upon Wi-Fi." While I think it's completely appropriate to recommend wired connections for certain functions, if anybody who worked for me suggested something this broad I would affect an extreme attitude adjustment. Chuck Enfield Manager, Wireless Systems & Engineering Telecommunications & Networking Services The Pennsylvania State University 110H, USB2, UP, PA 16802 ph: 814.863.8715 fx: 814.865.3988 -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hinson, Matthew P Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 8:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WiFi Service Level Agreement We looked into doing this for awhile but could never clearly define what acceptable quality of service is. 99.999% uptime in all areas? 99%? 90? 75? Here are a few excerpts of things we had in our draft that never went live. Wi-Fi is not intended to replace the wired network, but is a convenient, supplemental method for accessing the campus network. Mission-critical applications should NOT rely upon Wi-Fi. Due to the uniqueness of each wireless installation and the shared spectrum nature of current wireless technology, the theoretical maximum throughput will not be available everywhere coverage is provided. Further, the available bandwidth will depend directly on the number of Wi-Fi users and upon their respective bandwidth usage in any given coverage area. All 802.11 technologies (a, b, g, n, and ac) utilize frequencies unlicensed by the FCC. Therefore, other devices utilizing wireless technology that are operating within the same frequency ranges may interfere with Wi-Fi. IT will try to solve any interference issues that arise, but IT may not be able to affect the removal of such interfering devices. Construction materials used in many buildings significantly impair the propagation of wireless radio signals. As such, not all devices will be able to consistently connect in all areas of the campus' buildings. Consistent coverage, especially for devices with small antennae (such as smartphones), cannot be guaranteed. While we never ended up making it live, I think it might get you started. :) -Matthew -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mervyn Christoffels Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 1:45 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [WIRELESS-LAN] WiFi Service Level Agreement Greetings Colleagues I have been tasked with the process of setting up a service level agreement for a wifi tender Has anyone developed a user experience sla for wifi ? Or a services description for the wifi solution Best regards, mervyn Mervyn Christoffels, Elec Eng (CPUT), MBA (UCT), Mcomm InfSYS (UCT) University of the Western Cape, Modderdam Road, Bellville, 7535, South Africa T +27 21 9592304 E [email protected] ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
