DRAFT -- Wireless Networking Policy for CSB -- DRAFT

Goal for wireless networking in the CSB

We would like to have areas of the CSB (Bass 3&4, Gibbs 3 and 4N) covered with wireless access. This would allow a mobile computing device to authenticate at one location in the CSB and move throughout the area of coverage without losing connectivity and without the need to re-authenticate.

The wireless access should be secure, preventing non-CSB people from gaining access to our network. It should also be easy to use and maintain.

Access to the CSB wireless network will be restricted by one or more of the following methods. The method used may change over time.

1. Your CSB username/password will be required to gain access to the network.
2. Each mobile computing device must be registered with the CSB staff before it will be given access.
3. Access to the CSB wireless network will be via a common password, which will be shared by all CSB users, and/or by a common ssid (service station id -- the name of the access point).

It should be possible, in public areas (e.g., lecture halls) to have both our CSB wireless network and the Yale wireless network available.

Proposal for Interim Policy

It is likely that the CSB will deploy a uniform wireless infrastructure sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2003. In the meantime, individual labs may purchase wireless hubs and connect them to the CSB network, subject to the following conditions.

1. The equipment purchased may be incompatible with the equipment eventually designated as the CSB standard. It is likely that we will use Cisco base stations, because of their management features.
2. The equipment must be configured to use WEP or an SSID to prevent unauthorized access to the network.
3. Procedures used for authentication will probably change when the larger CSB wireless network is deployed. Registration of wireless clients will probably be required.