The University of
London Computer Centre (ULCC) is considering rolling out a
wireless service across its 20 institutions after a successful
pilot.
The university has been trialling Aruba Networks wireless
systems at two sites since October last year, after finding that it
was running out of fixed network access points to offer its
students in certain locations.
Following the trial more than three-quarters of students polled
said it had been successful.
Although the pilots - at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
and the Warburg Institute - were originally planned to provide
internet access to students, Lee Jeff, IT strategy officer at the
ULCC, said they had also benefited administrative staff.
The ULCC worked with system integrator Vanix to implement the
system and link it with back-office systems. Security was a key
challenge.
"We chose the
Aruba system because it can split traffic. Staff can be
authorised via their Windows Active Directory log-on, which gives
them access to university documents with restrictions, while
students gain more limited access via a library card," said
Jeff.
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