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Schools go the WLAN way
With an increasing number of schools adopting WLAN, it is
changing the way education institutions operate and disseminate knowledge, writes
Lokesh Mehra
 The
influx of technology is diminishing the boundary between school and home. Schools
will no longer get over when students leave the premises; the virtual school
will take over as students' access school resources in addition to resources
from across the world from their desktop or mobile device at home or any Internet
café.
One such technology that schools are adopting is Wireless Local Area Networks
(WLANs). WLANs enable users to establish and maintain a wireless network connection
throughout or between buildings, without the limitations of wires or cables.
Using radio frequency technology, WLANs increase productivity among mobile people
though network access to email, the Internet, or school networks.
For instance, due to the non-availability of technical expertise, Assam University
constituted a technical committee comprising senior scientists at the university,
solution vendors, and other experts who prepared a roadmap or a consulting bill
of material. Since there was no existing infrastructure, Assam University and
the technical committee visualized a campus-wide network that would enable the
students and the faculty to access the Internet and Internet-based resources.
Further, the proposed LAN would offer secure, uninterrupted connectivity and
security to members of the institution from their respective departments. The
deployment would also ensure better communication between the various departments
as well as facilitation of fast data transfers.
Assam University was constantly facing this problem of accessibility and information
storage between students and teacher staff when they deployed LAN across 600
acres of land to connect various departments.
Wired networks have certain limitations: growth in demand puts strain on the
network access; computing resources can be tied to specific rooms; the cost
and time taken to extend the network are often prohibitive. Wireless LAN technology
is a key enabling technology that allows institutions to extend their existing
network into areas where hardwiring would be expensive or difficult.
Once a wireless user PC logs on they have all the normal rights of a regular
PC. Wireless LANs work currently at 11 Mbps and advanced standards can help
them operate at 54 Mbps. A concern area in Wireless LANs is security. As a base
station is just a radio point, anyone nearby can use it as a connection point.
A large number of WLAN vendors have put in session based security so that protection
is different every time one connects. This provides additional security and
is ideal for keeping things confidential, for example, the student data.
A wireless bridge is a device built to extend networks across buildings without
the need for cables and expensive ground work to connect buildings via cable
ducts. The bridge consists of two devices, one at each end, and it allows the
two buildings to connect to each other by radio waves. Each end of the bridge
link would typically connect via routers (devices connecting LANs on multi locations)
to switches (intelligent concentrator) supporting the building network.
As 'the network' becomes a platform, integrating all forms of technology and
communication systems, there is an increasing demand for professionals adept
in architecting, designing, installing, configuring and troubleshooting networks
and network devices. Additionally, we are also seeing a rise in demand for highly
specialized domains including security, wireless, voice, and remote office.
While the last few years have seen a surge of software and application oriented
people, going forward retail, the BFSI (banking, finance & insurance sector),
defence and e-governance will see a huge demand for networking professionals.
Within networking, wireless and security has come to the forefront in the wake
of recent terrorist incursions and numerous information theft cases.
In addition, worldwide regulatory compliance requires that organizations better
protect sensitive data and mitigate emerging threats. Where networking has emerged
as a potential employable source for most IT professionals, security has become
a ubiquitous concern. This, in turn, is driving most organizations to recognize
the need of dedicated network professionals who can protect the data in transit.
Security of information in the network has become an indispensable need and
as a corollary, the demand for such professionals has grown manifold. The future
holds a continued surge in this trend and thus promises to be an immensely viable
career option for young professionals.
The most common benefits of using Wireless LANs are as follows:
- Mobility within building or campus
- Convenience (no cabling)
- Flexibility (anytime, anywhere access)
- Easier to set up temporary spaces
- Lower cabling costs
- Easier additions, moves and changes
Hence, with wireless, students get the information they need, when they need
it. All wireless solutions easily integrate with an existing network, increase
the freedom institutions can offer both students and faculty, and save money
in the long run.
The author is Regional Manager-Corporate Responsibility,
South Asia, Cisco Systems. He can be contacted at lokesh@cisco.com
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