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University of Calgary AirHeads Report

University of Calgary AirHeads Report. AirHeads Wireless – More Strategic Than Wired. Tom Seto Associate Director, Infrastructure Dept of Information Technologies University of Calgary Responsible for Network Services, Telecommunications, and the Data Centre. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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University of Calgary AirHeads Report

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  1. University of CalgaryAirHeads Report

  2. AirHeadsWireless – More StrategicThan Wired • Tom Seto • Associate Director, Infrastructure • Dept of Information Technologies • University of Calgary • Responsible for Network Services, Telecommunications, and the Data Centre

  3. Calgary, Alberta, Canada • 5th Largest City in Canada (pop ~950,000) • 2nd in Head Offices in Canada • “Houston North” • 26% growth in last 10 years • Most educated population in Canada • 69% post secondary education • Site of the 1988 Winter Olympics

  4. ArubaCampus Shots\PICT0050.JPG

  5. The University of Calgary • 8th largest university in Canada • Calgary’s 4th largest employer • 2400 faculty, 2500 staff • 28,000 FTE students • $C781M annual budget • $C247M sponsored research revenue • Students from over 80 countries • 15 Faculties, 53 Depts, 30 Research Inst

  6. U of C Mission The University of Calgary is a place of education and scholarly inquiry. Its mission is to seek truth and disseminate knowledge. Our aim is to pursue the mission with integrity for the benefit of the people of Alberta, Canada, and the world.

  7. Academic Plan Principles • To enhance the learning experience • To enhance research, discovery and creativity • To promote multi-disciplinary inquiry • To give back to the community

  8. Inquiry and Blended Learning Inquiry Based Learning Seeking of truth, information and knowledge through the process of questioning Blended Learning Thoughtful and logical integration of the inherent strengths of face-to-face and online learning

  9. Campus Technology Vision Connected Campus “Enabling the learning, research, and administrative, and community goals of the U of C, through the effective and efficient use of technology; allowing people to access information they need, at the required time, in the desired location, and in the appropriate format”

  10. Wireless Project Sponsor • In December, 2004, President Harvey Weingarten decided that wireless access for students was a top priority • Funding was made available • Outsourcing was considered

  11. Why Not Outsource? • Outsourcer wanted to segregate wireless network from campus networks • Separate management platform • Loss of control of applications on wireless • Had to rip out existing wireless hotspots • 5 year contract • Cost

  12. Existing Wireless Access • AirUC • 150 Heinz 57 access points • RezNet • 144 Nortel 1st Gen access points • 1600 pillows • We also provide dialtone and voicemail • Ethernet access for 800 pillows

  13. AirUC

  14. Reznet Upgrades • Upgraded and reconfigured many access points (APs) • Installed “Fortinet” to mitigate malware traffic – no need for scan and patch parties • Reznet for Residence students only • Considered replacing 2250 controllers with Aruba – will do that in Phase II

  15. Wireless Initiative • Phase I • August 31, 2005 • Targeting “student spaces” • Ground floor of all buildings with student spaces • Add 400 access points • Phase II • August 31, 2006 • Ubiquitous campus coverage • Add 800 access points

  16. Phase I • Phase I by September 2005 • Didn’t get go ahead until February • Fast track - 5 parallel activities • • RF Assessments • • Equipment Selection • • Installation • • Management Tools • • Post Production

  17. RF Assessments • Led by David Yang • Used Ekahau • In house staff and contractors • Now have an experienced, well-trained resource

  18. Wireless Coverage

  19. Equipment Selection • Invited 3 Vendors to provide overview • Cisco • Nortel • HP • Cisco purchased Airspace! • Decided to open up selection • Proxim, Symbol, Trapeze, Aruba

  20. Equipment Selection • Sent team to Silicon Valley to visit multiple vendors • Decided on thin AP technology • Integration with wired networks • Seamless roaming for voice, multimedia

  21. Why Did We Choose Aruba? Security • ICSA Certification • Per User Firewall • VPN Termination • Basic IDS/IPS (Strong offering available) • Virus Control offloading (via Fortinet) • Remediation (via Sygate OEM) • Full Featured Captive Portal

  22. Additional Critical Features • Wireless delivery across internet/NAT boundaries (AirUC at home or anywhere on the internet) • Can route wired connections through Controller to offer functionality to wired ports (captive portal, firewall, guest access, virus control, remediation, etc.) • Infinite expandability of number of AP’s • Make use of existing AP’s (roaming, captive portal, some management) – Others must replace all legacy AirUC AP’s • Integrates with Microsoft NAP (Network Access Protocol) • Remote packet capture from any AP

  23. Installation • With RF heat maps, can proceed with installation • Required cable and conduit • Built backend wired network with HP POE switches • Lots of campus fiber • Left cables dangling in ceiling!

  24. Management Tools • Integrate with wired networks • Network Access Control • Malware remediation and control

  25. Post Production • Lesson learned from previous hotspots – communicate! • Strategies • Banners • Website • Newsletter articles • Work with External Affairs Dept

  26. Applications • Student access to Portal, BlackBoard, webdisk, email • VoWIP Voice over Wireless IP • GSM/WiFi Phones (UMA) • Private VLANs • Parking • Security • Inventory • Bookstore • Museum • RFID

  27. Blackboard • Course Management System • Almost all U of C courses are on Blackboard • Integrates with Elluminate for Synchronous Audio and Video Presentations

  28. Blackboard Student Survey Results Question 2

  29. Blackboard Student Survey Results Question 11 • Notes & Course Materials • Review notes after class • Sample exams & assignments • Announcements • Discussion boards • Input from both students & prof • Group projects • File exchange & email • Grades • Assignment submission

  30. Blackboard Student Survey Results Question 15

  31. Elluminate

  32. More Strategic than Wired(1) • Access • Usage growing rapidly • Many more devices – PDA, Blackberries, UMA phones • Future faster wireless technologies • WiMax, 802.1n, etc. • Many more uses – IM, Videoconference, etc • Re-assess computer lab strategy • Currently around 2500 computers across campus • AirUC usage high-water mark so far @ 1200 • Remote AirUC over Internet

  33. More Strategic than Wired(2) • Cabling • 15,000 cable runs • 80% still Cat 3 • Revising cabling standard • Network • Standards revising • More POE switches • Less drops per location • Gig home runs only as required

  34. More Strategic than Wired(3) • Telecom • Migration of TDM to VoIP • Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) • Cell voice and data services over WiFi • 1000 university-paid cell plans • Combine deskset & cell handset

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