Networking & Wireless

Lincoln U Deploys WiFi 6 to Support Remote Learning

• By Rhea Kelly
• 03/04/21

Pennsylvania's Lincoln University has boosted wireless connectivity in all its campus spaces with a network rollout designed to meet the demands of both in-person and remote instruction. The historically Black institution deployed high-density WiFi 6 access points from Extreme Networks at its 422-acre main campus and off-campus graduate center, as well as the company's cloud network management solution.

The new network can support 3,000 users and 5,000 devices daily, according to a news announcement. Students can access livestreamed courses and recorded lectures both indoors and outdoors without connectivity issues, and because the coverage extends across the entire campus, they can study without congregating in large groups around a WiFi signal. The network is secured with WPA2 authentication for an additional layer of data security and protection from cybersecurity threats.

On the back end, Extreme Networks' ExtremeCloud IQ network management platform allows Lincoln's IT team to manage the wireless network through the cloud, remotely access and control all wireless APs and gain visibility into all connected Internet of Things devices.

"Our mission at Lincoln University is to educate and empower students to lead their communities and change the world — technology should never be a barrier to success, commented Justin McKenzie, chief information officer for Lincoln University, in a statement. With Extreme's high-density WiFi 6 access points, single-pane-of-glass cloud management, and credential-based access capabilities, our IT team can offer a vastly improved user experience while supporting new flexible learning requirements. Further, simplified management and maintenance has reduced their workload, resulting in a reduction in operating costs of more than 30 percent and allowing us to focus more effort on security and other projects."