Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Kansas University Deploys All-802.11ac Wireless Network

Fort Hays State University in Kansas has built a new wireless network based entirely on all-802.11ac technology from Aruba Networks. The network will support classroom technologies such as streaming video as well as the proliferation of mobile devices on campus.

Replacing the university's existing 802.11n infrastructure, the new network is comprised of:

FHSU's previous network could not provide enough speed and bandwidth for the growing number of mobile devices being used at the university. It was also unable to provide detailed information on network activity and the types of devices being used — which the IT department viewed as a critical performance and security issue.

"Aruba's 802.11ac solution allows us to support all the laptops, smart phones and tablets that our students are bringing to class, while also enabling our faculty to stream HD video or display high definition content on classroom projectors," said Derek Johnson, data communications coordinator for FHSU, in a prepared statement. "Several of our professors like to be on the 'bleeding edge' of classroom technology. Since rolling out the new Aruba infrastructure, these instructors have felt confident relying on the network to incorporate new educational tools into their lesson plans."

Since the deployment, 802.11ac laptops at the university have been performing at speeds up to 180 Mbps, and 802.11n devices have nearly doubled their speeds in some cases, according to Aruba. Since smartphone performance has also improved with the new network, FHSU is seeing more people connecting their phones to the WiFi network, rather than the cellular network. "While our students used to rely on 4G because it was faster than our old network, they are now connecting to the Aruba 802.11ac network and are telling us how pleased they are with its speed and reliability," said Johnson.

FHSU plans to expand the network with additional Aruba AP-225 access points to address growing device density in academic buildings and to support the campus's newest building, which will open in August 2014. Once the new building is online, FSHU will have over 500 APs deployed. The University is also planning to implement Aruba's AirWave Network Management System and is considering Aruba AirGroup to manage Apple AirPlay traffic growth.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Blue digital wireframe classical building structure

    Before AI, Fix Your Data

    Institutions don't have to solve every data problem before they can begin using AI responsibly. But they do need to treat information as a strategic asset — not a byproduct of operations — and start building toward AI-ready data now.

  • Digital cyberspace with particles and Digital data

    Report: AI Is Moving Faster than Data Trust

    AI agents are already in use or pilot at most organizations, but data visibility, governance and precision recovery capabilities have not kept pace, according to Veeam's new Data & AI Trust Gap report.

  • digital partnership handshake with glowing network effect

    Microsoft and OpenAI Rework Alliance, Loosening Exclusive Ties

    Microsoft and OpenAI have adjusted the terms of their high-profile partnership, signaling a shift in how the two companies will collaborate as competition in the AI market intensifies.

  • cyber security padlock

    AI Adoption Forces Trade-Off Between Speed and Identity Security, Study Finds

    AI adoption is forcing enterprises to trade security for speed — and identity controls are the first casualty, according to a new report from Delinea, a provider of identity security solutions for both human and AI agent identities.