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Information Technology Systems and Services (ITSS) is implementing wireless networking on campus. This will allow campus users to access campus computing facilities from mobile or portable computers. However, it also means that a portion of radio airspace on the campus serves as the transport medium for a part of the campus network.
Accordingly, certain computing policies now apply to that segment of the radio airspace on campus. This document alerts members of the campus community to the potential problems that could result from devices using the same radio frequency.
The wireless network at UMD uses the FCC unlicensed 2.4 GHz Industrial/Scientific/Medical (ISM) band. Transmissions within that band must conform to the IEEE 802.11 DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) wireless LAN specification. Certain other wireless devices exist in the market place that also employ the same 2.4 GHz frequency band and can cause interference to users of the wireless network service. These devices include, but are not limited to other IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN devices, cordless telephones, cameras, and audio speakers.
In order to assure the highest level of service to the users of the wireless network, ITSS needs help from all members of the campus community in minimizing the potential interference from those devices. ITSS requests that use of all other 2.4 GHz devices be discontinued in university-owned buildings. In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, ITSS will work with faculty to determine whether there are circumstances under which use of the device may still be accommodated without causing interference to wireless network users.
ITSS will approach the shared use of the 2.4 GHz radio frequency in the same way that it manages the shared use of the wired network. While we will not actively monitor use of the airspace for potential interfering devices, we will seek out the user of a specific device if we find that it is actually causing interference and disrupting the campus network. In these cases, ITSS reserves the right to restrict the use of all 2.4 GHz radio devices in university-owned buildings and all outdoor spaces on the UMD campus. See the campus Policy on the Appropriate Use of Information Technology for information on the campus computing policies, including those related to responsible use of shared resources, such as the 2.4 GHz radio frequency in this case.
If you think you have an existing system that may use 2.4 GHz radios for transmission
or you are planning to purchase a wireless system and you are uncertain if it
employs 2.4 GHz radios, please contact the Help Desk at 726-8847 or send email
to helpdesk@d.umn.edu. The Help Desk can assist in determining if such devices
will cause interference to the wireless network.
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