Adam Taylor browses the Internet in the design library on his personal laptop. He can go outside, next door or upstairs and still use his Internet connection because the University’s wireless network provides students with Internet connection without the need for cables or wires.
Taylor, a graphic design sophomore, said the wireless network makes it easier to do his design projects.
“I don’t have to save all my images on a disk or e-mail them to myself,” Taylor said. “I can just pull them up from my hard drive and go online.”
The Office of Computing Services and Student Government are working to expand the network to create a “wireless corridor” from the north end of campus through the Quadrangle to CEBA, said Hector Rios, OCS telecommunications analyst. Students would be able to access the Internet through wireless connections with a wireless card.
The “wireless corridor,” originally projected to cover 70 percent of the campus, was modified to include the most common areas of campus, like the Parade Ground, Quad, Indian Mounds and areas around the Union and Tureaud.
Rios said OCS has been improving the campus’ current network since its inception in 1999. Students can use the wireless technology in residence hall lobbies, most of the Union, all of Middleton Library and in the Design Building. Internet access is available in the Quad, but reception is spotty.
OCS estimates the project will cost $150,000 and the Student Technology Fee will finance it.
Rios said students can connect a laptop to the wireless network in two ways: They can check out a wireless card on campus or purchase their own connection device.
Students may check out a wireless card at Middleton Library, the College of Design or the Union. Library rules state cards checked out in the library must remain inside the library at all times.
For more freedom, students can buy a Windows-compatible wireless card for around $60 to $80. Wireless cards for Macintosh may be bought at the LSU Apple Store for $71. However, most newer laptops are already wireless-ready.
Rios hopes the expanded wireless network will be ready by next fall, but the additions require security modifications.
The nature of wireless technology makes it difficult to secure sensitive data traveling along the air, Rios said. The size of the projected area also is problematic.
Gary Dukes, information systems manager for Residential Life, said the department will not increase the residence halls’ wireless network outside the hall lobbies. He said Residential Life spent $6.7 million about two years ago for its ResNet wire system.
Taylor said he uses the wireless network frequently. Because the art and design buildings have wireless capabilities, he uses it in class also.
“If a professor wants us to look up something, I can pull my laptop out of my bag and go on Google and look it up,” he said.