Staying Connected in a Wireless World

Everything you need to know about wireless computing on the UNBSJ campus

By Wayne Hansen

Two years ago the Information Technology units at UNBF and UNBSJ embarked on an ambitious project to deliver comprehensive wireless services to students, faculty and staff on both campuses.
This was the first major, bi-campus, collaborative project between UNB’s ITS departments and the result was the wireless network we use today. I recently sat down with UNB Saint John’s, Network and Communications department, to discuss the wireless infrastructure on the UNBSJ campus and what that means for us as users.

A key component of the wireless network is mobility. That is the ability for students to move between campuses without having to change laptop configurations. Also, students have the ability to move throughout this campus while maintaining connectivity.

Stephen Gamblin, Network and Communications Manager, states that “network connectivity in the quad was not a priority, there just are not enough sunny days in the year to entice students into computing there”. Instead the focus was maintaining a high level of coverage within the walls of the buildings.
The system is also designed with self-service in mind. Students can connect to QuickStart@UNBSJ and proceed to get directions on configuring their laptop for the available wireless networks, Guest@UNB and Wireless@UNB.

While both of these networks offer complete campus coverage, the security settings on Wireless@UNB are a little tighter and allow students to use a wider variety of Internet applications. This higher level of security is why connecting to the UNBSJ network can be a little more complicated then connecting to publicly available WiFi spots, such as hotels and FreeSpots. Additionally, these security settings ensure that only members of the UNB community use the network.

A major difference between the Guest and the Wireless networks is that while the Guest network simply needs a WEP passphrase, the Wireless network needs a SecureW2 client. While installing the this client may be an extra step in configuring a laptop for the Wireless@UNB network, according to Stephen Gamblin, “it offers students a much higher degree of Internet security with data being encrypted on every transaction”. This means, as a network user, you can be confident that the data you transmit is relatively protected. Most computer savvy users can manage to configure their own laptop, but if do you run into issues, the Student Technology Center is always there to help.

Another exciting initiative now underway is to make UNBSJ part of EduRoam. What this will mean for our users is that they will be able to visit other institutions across Canada, and across the globe, and authenticate to those wireless networks using their current UNB credentials (login ID, PIN).
According to Andrew Xu, Data Communications Analyst, “UNB will be the first University in the Maritime region to participate in EduRoam”. Testing has recently been completed with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and this technology should be deployed soon. You can find out more at EduRoam.org.
While laptop computers are the predominant devices that students configure for this network, they certainly are not alone. Laptops, PSP’s, iPod touches and iPhones are all able to connect to the wireless infrastructure at UNB. To configure your iPod touch, or iPhone, simply visit UNB.CA/Helpdesk. The self-service menu there can deliver a script that will complete the entire configuration you need to have your iPod connect. Other devices may need some manual configuration, but the process is intuitive enough, that students should be able to get them to connect as well.

Wireless computing has become almost ubiquitous for most users but most publicly available systems leave much to be desired. UNB’s wireless network offers a stable, safe, secure and mobile networking environment for students, faculty and staff. While configuration of your device, for this network, may take more time than publicly available networks, the effort is worth your while.

UNB ITS has taken steps to make certain that your data and credentials are as secure as possible while providing the mobility that users demand. This is provided while keeping an eye on the future for more interesting developments such as EduRoam. This is a difficult balance to meet but through a bi-campus, collaborative effort, UNB Wireless delivers.

Wayne Hansen is the Manager of Student Technology and a regular contributor to the Baron.