Wireless Network Upgrade

Quick Navigation: July 17 letter | Connection Instructions | Questions and Answers | July 2 letter | May 9 letter

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Instructions

Two wireless networks are availalble: a public network, for guests only, and a private network, for those with HWS network accounts (students, faculty, staff). Basic instructions, and instructions for connecting various devices to the wireless networks, are available below.

HWS-Private Network Instructions

• Android
• iOS (iPhone / iPad)
• Macintosh
• Windows
• General connection (other)

HWS-Public Network Instructions

• General connection

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July 17, 2012

To the Hobart and William Smith Community —

I am writing to share with you more detailed information on how to connect to the new wireless network, as promised in previous communications. You will need this information on July 24, when the new wireless network is activated.

The primary goal for this communication is to provide you with links to the website that have instructions on connecting a wide variety of devices (i.e. computers, smartphones, tablets, video game units, televisions) to the new wireless network as well as to provide you with a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the new wireless network.

There will be two options for connecting to the new wireless network:

• HWS-Private - this is the wireless network that students, faculty and staff will want to connect to. Individuals must have an HWS network username and password to connect to this network. HWS-Private is intended to provide more bandwidth, enhanced security and encryption, and access to all of the services on the HWS network. Once connected to HWS-Private your device is set and will automatically reconnect to HWS-Private whenever you are on campus.
• HWS-Public - this is the wireless network for guests and visitors to the HWS campus who need access to the Internet. Every time a guest or visitor connects to HWS-Public they will be asked to agree and accept the terms of the Responsible and Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources Policy.

Additionally, HWS-Get-Connected will be available to provide assistance for those that are not familiar with the HWS-Private and HWS-Public options. This is a starting point to give individuals a little more help with instructions on how to connect to either of the networks above.

The following are the upcoming milestone dates in the launch of the new HWS wireless network:

• July 24 - The new wireless network will be activated. Anyone on campus from this day forward will be able to connect to HWS-Private or HWS-Public on the new wireless network.
• July 25 - The old wireless network will be retired. Anyone on campus will no longer be able to connect to the old wireless network.

Please visit the following Web site (www.hws.edu/itservices/wireless.aspx) for links to instructions on how to connect to the new wireless network. This site has been established to centrally store all information pertinent to the new wireless network, including schedules, FAQs, etc. The page will be updated continually with new information and also serve as a repository for key information related to the project. We hope that you will find this resource useful. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@hws.edu.

Sincerely,
Kelly McLaughlin
Director of Operations and Technical Support

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July 2, 2012

To the Hobart and William Smith Community —

I write to share with you an update on the wireless network replacement that is underway. Over the past six weeks, more than 900 new wireless access points have been installed across campus, and we remain on target to transition to our next generation wireless network in July. The primary objective of today’s communication is to provide an awareness of the timing of when additional information will be distributed in the next several weeks, as well as the date on which the transition to the new wireless network will take place.

As was mentioned in the communication sent to the community in early May, moving to the new wireless network will provide a number of notable improvements, which include:

• Coverage of all campus buildings, student rooms, and outdoor venues
• Significant increases in the number of wireless access points and network connection speeds
• Improved security and encryption
• Better quality connectivity for low powered devices (i.e. smartphones & tablets)
• Simple and secure web-based, self-service device configuration

The following are key events that will take place during the month of July:

• July 17 - Detailed information on how to connect to the new wireless network will be distributed via e-mail. These resources will include instructions for connecting a wide variety of wireless devices (i.e. computers, smartphones, tablets, video game units, televisions), as well as how to get any help or assistance you may need.
• July 24 - The new wireless network will be activated. Anyone on campus from this day forward will be able to connect to the new wireless network.
• July 25 - The old wireless network will be retired.

A Web site (www.hws.edu/itservices/wireless.aspx) has been established where schedules, FAQs, communications, instructions, etc. can be found. The page will be updated continually with new information and also serve as a repository for key information related to the project. We hope that you will find this resource useful. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@hws.edu. We’ll get back to you with any information we can provide, and it will also help us build the FAQs and content on the web page.

Sincerely,
Fred Damiano
Chief Information Officer

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May 9, 2012

To the Hobart and William Smith Community —

As the academic year draws to a close, I write to share with you that over the summer the Colleges wireless network will be replaced with a new and more robust wireless system. Our current wireless network, which was originally installed in 2005-06, has reached its end-of life and no longer supports the needs of our community members. Wireless connectivity is increasingly relied upon by the HWS community, and has become the network of choice for most users due to the exponential growth in the quantity and variety of wireless enabled devices on campus.

In preparation for the campus wide upgrade this summer, a pilot was conducted in Caird and de Cordova Halls during the Spring semester, where students in these residences utilized and tested the next generation wireless capability. Moving to the new wireless network will provide a number of notable improvements, which include:

• Complete coverage of all buildings, student rooms, and outdoor venues
• Significant increases in the number of wireless access points and network connection speeds
• Improved security and encryption
• Better quality connectivity for low powered devices (i.e. smartphones & tablets)
• Simple and secure web-based, self-service device configuration

The following is a high level timeline for transitioning to the new wireless network:

• May through June - Beginning the week of May 14th, cabling and equipment will begin to be installed in campus buildings and outdoor locations throughout campus. This work will continue through the month of June. During this time, the current wireless network will operate as normal, with intermittent disruptions of wireless service as cabling and equipment are installed. Any users on campus from mid-May through June will continue to have access to the existing wireless capabilities.
• July - The conversion to the new wireless network will take place in July. As we get closer to the transition date, detailed information will be provided via e-mail about the exact timing of the switchover and connecting to the new wireless network. Please watch your e-mail for periodic communications.

A Web site (www.hws.edu/itservices/wireless.aspx) has also been established where schedules, FAQs, communications, instructions, etc. can be found. The page will be updated continually with new information and also serve as a repository for key information related to the project. We hope that you will find this resource useful. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@hws.edu. We’ll get back to you with any information we can provide, and it will also help us build the FAQs and content on the web page.

The primary objective of today’s communication is to create an awareness of the transition that will be taking place during the summer. More information will be provided via e-mail and on the web page in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,
Fred Damiano
Chief Information Officer

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Initial Questions and Answers

More information is available in the form of questions and answers. Click on the questions to expand them and see the answers.

Why is HWS upgrading the wireless network?

The current wireless network, which was originally installed in 2005-06, has reached its end-of-life and no longer supports the needs of our community members. Wireless connectivity is increasingly relied upon by the HWS community, and has become the network of choice for most users due to the exponential growth in the quantity and variety of wireless enabled devices on campus.

When will the wireless network get upgraded?

• May through June - Beginning the week of May 14th, cabling and equipment will begin to be installed in campus buildings and outdoor locations throughout campus. This work will continue through the month of June. During this time, the current wireless network will operate as normal, with intermittent disruptions of wireless service as cabling and equipment are installed. Any users on campus from mid-May through June will continue to have access to the existing wireless capabilities.
• July - The conversion to the new wireless network will take place in July. As we get closer to the transition date, detailed information will be provided via e-mail about the exact timing of the switchover and connecting to the new wireless network. Please watch your e-mail for periodic communications.

There are people doing work in my building, does this mean I need to do something now to access the new wireless network?

No, you will receive more detailed communication before you will need to take any steps to access the new wireless network. Please watch your e-mail for periodic communications with more detailed information.

What areas will the new wireless network cover?

The new wireless network will cover all areas of every campus building and many outdoor areas (e.g. patios, quads, and athletic areas). All residences, including student rooms and lounges, will have access to the wireless network.

What if I want to bring my own wireless router to campus?

There is no need to bring a wireless router to campus. Plugging a wireless router in to a network port could negatively impact on the wireless experience of others. It also is not in compliance with the College’s Campus Network Policy, which can be viewed here, http://www.hws.edu/itservices/campus_network.aspx.

Will the new wireless network be faster?

Yes, the wireless network connection speed will increase from 54 Mbps to 450 Mbps.

The lights are dark on the wireless access point, does this mean the access point is broken?

The wireless access points in residence areas are configured to run with the lights off in order to not disturb residents. The access points are functioning normally.

Where can I get more details?

The Web site www.hws.edu/itservices/wireless.aspx will continue to be updated with the most current information. You can also call the Help Desk, 315-781-4357, at any time with questions.