Tulane
University Medical School first to get 802.11a access
|
80 buildings on campus to be conected
For a wireless implementation spanning multiple campuses, Tulane
University, has selected the Enterasys
Networks RoamAbout R2 Wireless Access Platform, the first wireless
access platform that will offer 54 Megabits per second (Mbps) performance
based on the 802.11a standard and bring advanced Layer 3-4 capabilities
to the wireless LAN. The wireless project, encompassing 80 buildings
and a number of common areas across three campuses, will be comprised
of approximately 1,000 802.11a Access Points.
"With the size and scope of the wireless initiative, we must
deploy technology that will last," said Jed Diem, vice president
of information systems at Tulane University. "The Enterasys
RoamAbout R2 provides the perfect migration path with an Access
Point that simultaneously supports both current 802.11b and next-generation
802.11a standards."
The University, will offer students and faculty high-performance
mobile connectivity to support advanced applications. Augmenting
the wired infrastructure, the wireless network will provide students
and faculty with flexible mobile network access.
"In a research and learning environment such as Tulane University,
it is imperative that people are connectedto information,
University resources and, most importantly, to each other,"
continued Diem. "The multi-campus wireless infrastructure enables
Tulane to take the next step toward universal connectivity; it makes
it easy for people to be connected anytime, anywhere."
Built upon an expandable platform, the RoamAbout R2 is unique in
its ability to support multiple high-rate wireless LAN (WLAN) radios
providing complete investment protection and an easy migration path.
When higher-speed standards such as 802.11a (54Mbps) become available,
the RoamAbout R2 will run both technologies simultaneously from
one device, providing Tulane with the flexibility to upgrade to
802.11a according to their needs. In addition, because it is based
on industry standards, the R2 is interoperable with the Universitys
existing infrastructure.
MAC Address authentication via radius servers will supply user
authentication and help secure Tulanes wireless LAN infrastructure.
The University will also rely on IEEE standards to address wireless
network security and is planning to implement the IEEE 802.1x authentication
standard once it is finalized. The RoamAbout R2 wireless platform
will support 802.1x as part of its Secure Harbour security architecture.
First to receive the high-speed wireless access will
be the School of Medicine, the School of Law, and the main campus
library. The project is scheduled to take place in two phases, with
full implementation completed by the end of the 2001.
|