Hamilton launches wireless service

Areas in Hamilton College House are now equipped with a new wireless network.

College House Computing and the Office of Information Security installed the new network on Thursday. The new infrastructure will allow students to access the Internet from computers in the cafe and mezzanine area, the underground and rooftop lounge floors, the computer lab and the various study rooms and libraries throughout the building.

"It's a good, convenient way for students to study together," Director of Networking and Telecommunications Operations Mark Wehrle said.

Hamilton's upgrades make it the seventh wireless network on campus, joining Houston Hall, Hill College House, Harnwell College House, the Cyber Cafe in Towne Building, the Graduate Student Center and University Square, the area around 36th and Walnut streets.

Hamilton's wireless capability was made possible with relatively few machines --only "regular Cat5e wiring, wireless access points, an authentication gateway and a private subnet," Assistant Director for College House Computing Marilyn Spicer wrote in an e-mail.

Students wishing to use the new network will need a registered wireless card installed in their laptops.

Unlike the normal network, users will also need to log on to the network using a valid PennKey and password.

Making users log on to the network will allow ISC officials to track down a user if his machine needs patching, Wehrle said. Previously, they could only track the infected machine, but could not easily connect it to a user.

Although the new protocol will allow for increased security, the new gateway may create some obstacles.

"It is a pilot location, so we're anticipating a few problems," especially with authentication, users' computers and heavy use loads, Wehrle said.

Although officials eventually want to extend wireless capabilities throughout campus, no timeline has been established -- too many decisions have to be made regarding technology, costs, demand and other factors, Spicer said.

Since the installation only occurred last week and bugs are still being fixed, there are no final financial figures on the costs, Wehrle said.

Although Engineering and Wharton sophomore Caroline Rodda has not yet used the wireless capabilities in her building, she said, "I think it's a pretty good idea."

Similar sentiments were found throughout Hamilton.

"I think it's really nice," College sophomore Suzanne Stein said, adding that she intends to use the new network when she gets a wireless card.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.