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This document has been retired.

About Wireless

Wireless Networks at the
Australian National University

What are wireless networks?

Wireless networking is a way to connect computers to the campus network without having to plug into a wall socket with a blue cable. The cable is replaced by a radio signal, and network packets travel from
the PC / laptop / PDA through the air to an access point directly connected to the wired network.

Where are we now?

Given the low price and easy availability of wireless equipment, it is not surprising that wireless hotspots are popping up around the ANU campus. Some of these are better set up and managed than others. Some are more secure than others. ANU Networks and Communications currently have no control over any of these.

What we think of wireless networks on campus?

We reckon wireless networks are cool too! There are many great reasons why we should provide wireless network connectivity around the campus. We just want to make sure that it is done properly, and that we take the security issues seriously. We see wireless networks as an extension of our existing network infrastructure, and should be managed accordingly. However, we're not going to go around tearing out access points across the campus without providing an alternative, so we're working on a better solution right now. We envisage that over the next few years, we will have wireless network available over most of the campus. So it is important to take a campus wide approach to the management of these networks to make sure that it works well everywhere.

What are the issues?

Security

Apart from the widely known security weakness of wireless networks, we are generally responsible for any traffic generated by our network. So we need to make sure that people are doing the right thing. We need to protect our network and our neighbours on the Internet from bad things like denial of service attacks, Spam, and other abuse.

Authentication

We need to know that any person who is connecting to the ANU campus network is an ANU person (student, staff, or associate). Once we know who you are, we need to determine where you are allowed to go.

Ease of use

There are many different wireless devices and operating systems around today. So our wireless network system should allow for this. We want to avoid relying on vendor specific hardware or software to connect to the wireless network. We want to make connecting to the wireless network as painless as possible.

Spectrum Management

Wireless network devices use public radio frequencies. There can be interference between wireless access points if they are not set up correctly, and in a coordinated way. We will be taking a whole of campus approach to managing the radio network.

Charging

Where the university does not absorb incoming traffic charges, we need to be able to determine who gets the bill for traffic generated by the wireless client.

Performance

Wireless access points are a shared medium. So the more people connected to a given access point, the slower things get. Wireless speeds vary from 11Mb/sec to 54Mb/sec. This is still a lot slower than a 100Mb/sec wired connection, especially once you start sharing with a few other people.

Scalability

There is a pretty good chance that wireless networks will overlay the entire campus in the next few years. Any back-end infrastructure that we put in now must be able to support a large number of users across the whole network. We also want to be able to support seamless roaming between access points for our more mobile users.

Where are we going?

We are currently implementing a wireless gateway solution that we plan to deploy around the campus to provide simple, authenticated, controlled wireless access to the campus network. Getting connected should be as simple as associating to an access point, firing up a browser, and pointing to any web site. You will be automatically redirected to a login page where you enter your Uni ID and password. The gateway decides where you are allowed to go, and you’re off and running. We will be able to control network access based on who you are, where you work, staff or student, where you are going, what protocol you are using, where you are connected, and what time of day it is. We will also be able to offer restricted guest access to certain areas for conferences and other events. The existing OLAMS (LDAP) database will be used for authentication, and for deriving group information to determine access levels.

When and where will this be happening?

We hope to have a few areas working as a pilot by March 2004. We have identified a few areas that we will be activating initially, from the Student Union, to Info-Commons Library areas. As we get a good handle on how these work, we will expand wireless connectivity to other areas on an as needs basis. Who knows? In a few years we may even have wireless connectivity available across the entire campus. Once the wireless network infrastructure is in place, we will be conducting regular monitoring to detect any unofficial access points that may be compromising the network or causing unnecessary radio interference.

How can we allow for wireless in our new building or extension?

We see wireless network as an overlay supplementing the base wired network. It should not be used as a substitute for a wired network except in areas where cabling is not possible, or inappropriate. Allowing for future wireless networking in an area can be as simple as having a normal network outlet and power point installed in the ceiling space while the rest of the cabling is done.

Who do I talk to about getting a wireless connection in my building?

If you have any further questions about wireless networking, please contact ANU Networks and Communications (wireless@anu.edu.au).

Who do I talk to about getting a wireless access for the conference I'm organising?

Please contact ANU Networks and Communications (wireless@anu.edu.au) for advice on providing wireless access for conference delegates on the ANU campus.