Implementation Strategy

As Information Services created the KU Wireless Zones across the Lawrence and Edwards Campuses, a guiding strategy helped to ensure the wireless system serves the needs of students, academic departments and administration. The initial implementation phase of the KU Wireless Zones is now complete, but the network will continue to grow as more KU Wireless Zones are requested. Below is the strategy that guides the network's development: 

Goal: Create one centrally approved, managed and secure wireless system for all of KU

Priorities - provide a system that is:

• Reliable and capable
• Can handle many users at once across many locations
• Requires only one sign-on process for all locations
• Allows users to move across nodes without having to re-authenticate (provided that the wireless signals overlap)
• Secure
• Uses security protocols based on industry standards
• Is a closed network available only to the KU community; protects university resources from being used by unauthorized persons for unauthorized uses
• Requires wireless authentication with a KU Online ID and password to gain access
• Uses encrypted wireless authentication to prevent password sniffing
• All existing wireless access points managed by departments are required to work with IT to comply with KU security protocols and be certified as KU Wireless Zones.

Guided growth

• Serving student needs:
• The Student Technology Coordinator manages communication between Student Senate and KU Information Services, such as while compiling a list of locations where students most want a KU Wireless Zone.
• Student Senate provided partial funding for the KU Wireless Zones located where students congregate.
• Serving administration and academic departmental needs:
• Departments request new KU Wireless Zones in their area directly from IT. These are installed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Departments fund the KU Wireless Zones in their area.

Communication

• All share the identity of “KU Wireless Zones.”
• All share a recognizable name and logo on all promotional materials.
• A complete listing of locations, instructions and other details on the KU Wireless Zones is available at www.ku.edu/computing/wireless
• Single set of instructions for all locations.

User support for Wireless

• JayTech Booth in the Kansas Union, 4^th floor
• Technology IT Customer Service Center, 864-8080
• First point-of-contact for all wireless support needs
• Refers departmental technology issues to IT as appropriate