Campus Wi-Fi networks got an upgrade Aug. 25 — the first major change in campus Internet systems since the creation of ResNet last year.
The update included encryption of the two wireless networks on campus, ResNet and CampusNet, as well as installing a password for greater system security.
“Encrypting traffic from a device to the access point is always a good idea to prevent people with freely available utilities from snooping on unencrypted traffic traveling through the air,” Network Systems Manager Patrick Chartrand told the Collegian by email. “There was no incident prompting this, it’s just an industry standard that we are implementing.”
The project was announced several times over the summer, as the change affected everyone on campus. The Information Technology Services team discussed merging the two wireless networks into a new, larger CampusNet and also debated creating a third network specifically for guests staying at the Dow Center.
“It only took about 10 minutes to program and then required a restart of CampusNet,” Chartrand said. “All the 144 CampusNet Access Points were given their new programming, and the upgrade was complete. The total time was about 15 minutes — including the 10 minutes of programming the head end.”
