Milwaukee School of Engineering Upgrades Wireless Network
The Milwaukee School of Engineering has upgraded its wireless network to provide improved Wi-Fi coverage and security for students and faculty.
The school's previous wireless network could accommodate a maximum of 300 students and had no encryption capabilities. Out of frustration with poor Wi-Fi coverage, students had been bringing their own routers onto campus in an attempt to work around the problem, but those routers created network traffic problems for the school.
Administrators decided it was time for an upgrade and began researching potential solutions. Based on a recommendation from a colleague at a neighboring college, the school's network security administrator, Paul Fabian, investigated Enterasys Networks and said he was impressed with the company's commitment to helping the college create an effective, efficient network.
The college's new IdentiFi wireless network from Enterasys includes two controllers, 110 wireless access points, and switches to provide improved coverage for the college's 12 campus buildings.
"We've gone from accommodating 300 or so students on our wireless network at peak times, to the point where we can comfortably handle triple that capacity," said Fabian in a prepared statement. "I no longer have to worry about the network, and we can evaluate new initiatives, such as the possibility of adding wireless access to student dorms."
Enterasys offers a variety of wired and wireless solutions that can help educational institutions address the challenges and risks associated with the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) phenomenon, according to Vala Afshar, CMO and chief customer officer for the company.
"The typical college student today has between two and five personal devices, including a Smartphone, music player, PC, tablet, and portable game console," said Afshar in a prepared statement. "They want access to wireless and uninterrupted service to operate their devices. Enterasys solutions enable higher ed institutions to deliver quality wireless networking technology that benefits the students, faculty, and administration on campus."
The Milwaukee School of Engineering serves more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students, and employs 500 faculty members.
Further information about Enterasys Networks' solutions is available at enterasys.com.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].