Ohio University

Wireless upgrade schedule announced; work to start in July

Friday, July 13, 2012
Sean O'Malley  

Faster wireless performance, better reliability, and automatic logins are a step closer to reality for Internet users on all Ohio University campuses.  

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has announced the successful completion of its NextGen wireless pilot and awarded a contract to Aruba Networks to supply the university with the necessary equipment to complete the NextGen wireless upgrade. Work will begin July 2012 in the residence halls, with academic buildings to begin during the latter part of fall semester. 

According to OIT director of infrastructure Rick Manderick, differences in the way the university’s legacy wireless and NextGen networks handle IP addresses played a large part in the decision to tackle residence halls first. “Finishing the residence halls will free up a large pool of IP addresses that we will need as academic buildings come online” said Manderick. The remainder of the buildings will be deployed based on typical usage patterns, starting with buildings having the highest usage.

NextGen wireless has been available since the end of April in Alden Library, Baker Center, Computer Services Center, Stocker Center, and the West Union Street Office Complex. As new locations come online, wireless users will find their devices connecting automatically more and more often.  

The project is scheduled to reach full coverage on all campuses by December 2013.