Creating a Digital K12 Learning Environment

A GUIDE TO DEVELOPING A WIRELESS AREA NETWORK GILLIAN RILEY 2012

What Is WLAN?
A Wireless local Area Network or WLAN is a technique of linking devices to wirelessly to the Internet. The process provides a connection through an access point (AP) to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network. Most modern WLANs are based on IEEE 802.11 standards, marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name.

Why Should Schools Go Wireless?

According to a study done by the U.S. Department of Education in February 2012, students learn 30% to 80% faster with technology based instruction.

Wireless Uses

Tablets
Notebooks Netbooks desktops E-textbooks Students Response Systems Laptops Smart phones

Benefits of Going Mobile

Lowering Network Costs The 802.11n wireless standard depoys Over-theAir at 300 Mbps with Media Access Control Layer, Service Access Points estimated at150 Mbps.

MiMP technology in 802.11n reduced multipath nulls by using two antenna to recover signals.

According to Dells K12 Wireless Network: A Planning Guide for K12 IT Professionals, (Nov. 2010) high speed Wi-Fi connection is significantly less expensive than the cost of wiring each device and less to power, cool, and administer.

Objectives

To improve academic achievement To ensure fiscal responsibility and effect resources stewardship Provide opportunities for students all students to master 21 st century skills Remove barriers and provide opportunities for innovative technology solutions that meet the needs of todays teachers and students. Provide teachers, administrators, and students ubiquitous access to digital content and online resources. Central management Easy to install and manage with existing IT staff

WLAN with centralized architecture move information from access points (AP) to a centralized WLAN switch or mobility controller. Some mobility controllers can be use to scale the support of hundreds of APs allowing a pilot program to grow to use by the whole school or by a growing student body.

Connecting Mobile Devices

Management of AP devices can be done from a central location. Centralized WLAN solutions can continually monitor the radio frequency environment and automatically adjust AP settings to ease management burdens. Some solutions automatically detect AP overload or failure and adjust the power of other nearby Aps to fill the gap. By consolidating and automating management, schools can administer and maintain mobility networks with minimal resources (Reckles, 2007)

Management

Authenticating Users Wireless is shared and open by default. Protection can be established by utilizing web-based authentication or captive portal. This means users must enter a username and password on a webpage before they are permitted to connect to the network. IT departments should identify captive portal solutions that allow the administrator to specify customized firewall access policies (Reckles, 2007).

Network Security-Authentication

Controlling Access Centralized controllers with an integrated policy enforcement firewalls allows network managers to create and apply unique roles for different users such as students, teacher, administrators, and guests. The parameters can be set based on group, applications, time of day and location.

Network Security-Controlling Access

Network Intrusion Networks should be able to detect an unknown AP and determine whether it is valid, interfering, or rogue and alert the IT manager or disable the AP.

Network Security-Network Intrusion

9 Steps to Creating a School Wide Mobile Network

Step 1: Define Goals for Implementing WiFi Network

Categorize networks into two categories

convenience network (basic functionality)

mission critical (wireless performance, uptime, security are main priorities)

Step 2: Identify the Who, Where, and What?

Who will the network serve? (students, administrators, guests) Where will the users use the network? What type of access will be available to different users?

Step 3: Determine movement of users.

Will users move from place to place? Will users be confined to a certain space?

Count the number of wireless access points you need and where they should be placed.

Step 4: What will users do with the wireless network?

On One Hand

Voice or video calls, and movie streaming require no dead spots

On the Other Hand

For casual web surfing dead spots arent as important

Step 5: Estimate the number of users and devices for the next three years.

Consider school population growth Consider each student may use up to 3 devices (smart phones, laptops, tablets) so 10 students may use = 30 talking devices

Step 6: Consider unforeseen costs and configuration needs

Cost of adding additional capacity to the network Maintenance fees

Renewal fees
Each access point (AP) runs off a Cat5e cable and Ethernet or local power source

Step 7: Research

How many devices will each AP support

What is the range of the (AP)

What is the coverage and capacity needed?

Step 8: Installation, Walk-thru, Adjust

Move any APs due to previously unseen interference Test security settings

Step 9: Trouble shoot (anticipate glitches)

Not being able to connect Getting disconnected Not understanding how wireless networks work

Cautions
Establish Control

Who can use the network What users have access to Identify and prevent unauthorized traffic Prepare for variable traffic flow (first bell vs. lunch)

Key to Successful Implementatio n

Security
Manageability Scalability Affordability

Resources

Smith, R. (2011). Setting up school wi-fi part 2: larger networks. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/setting_up_school_wifi_part_2.shtml Dell. (2010). K12 wireless network: A planning guide for k12 IT professionals. Dell Publications. Retrieved from http://content.dell.com/us/en/k-12/d/public~solutions~k12~en/Documents~k-12wireless-networking-whitepaper.pdf.aspx Peterson, T. (2009). Building a wireless future. EDTECH Focus on K12. Retrieved from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2009/12/building-a-wireless-future

Reckles, D. (2007). Lessons in wireless for k-12 schools. The Top 8 Criteria for Evaluating. Aruba Networks Inc. Retrieved from http://www.arubanetworks.com/technology/white-papers/ Savannah Chatham County Public School System. (2012). District technology plan 2012-2015: transforming the education system. Wilson, A. (2012) Three requirements for mobility on k-12 school wireless networks. IT Solutions Blog. Retrieved fromhttp://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/77375/3Requirements-for-mobility-on-k-12-school-wireless-networks