SUBJECT:  Next Generation Network - Wireless Services

Wireless data network technology offers exciting flexibility in mobile computing and provides new opportunities for instructional activities. This technology is becoming popular in higher education institutions and it is especially cost-effective in situations where very high bandwidth is not a critical factor.

We are pleased to announce that as part of UCSD's Next Generation Network, the first phase of a UCSD wireless data network has been completed and access to it is now available to students, faculty, and staff in the following locations:

* Dining facilities at Plaza Cafe, Canyon Vista, Club Med, and Sierra Summit
* Price Center
* Galbraith Hall (CLICS)
* Faculty Club
* Student Center A
* University Center

Wireless data access is also available within certain departments such as Computer Science & Engineering, SDSC, ACT, ACS, and others.

Over the next few months, we will add the following sites: Geisel Library, Center Hall Lecture Rooms, Peterson Hall, parts of the Library Walk, Torrey Pines Center South, and a few provosts offices.

To access the network in one of the supported areas, you would need to have a computing device (e.g., laptop, PDA), a wireless adapter card that supports the IEEE 802.11b standard, and a valid UCSD user name and password. The adapter cards can be purchased at the UCSD Bookstore (with an educational discount) or at various computer stores and websites. Detailed information, including coverage maps and usage instructions, is available at the http://ngn.ucsd.edu/wireless website.

To help control access to this network, we require first-time users to authenticate themselves using a UCSD user name and password. Please note, however, that the network cannot truly protect transmitted data and that any network conversation, wireless or not, may be captured by unintended viewers. Therefore, networked devices and computer applications need to provide their own protection, using encryption tools such as SSH, Kerberos, or SSL.

Temporary "guest" accounts are available from the help desks at ACT (x41853) and ACS Network Operations (x41857 - AP&M 2113) or from the registration desks at the Faculty Club and the Price Center. These accounts provide campus visitors with controlled short-term access to UCSD resources and to the Internet.

The wireless network is an integral part of the UCSD Next Generation Network (NGN) and is jointly supported by ACS and ACT. This network has been developed over the past 12 months in consultation with a campuswide wireless taskforce, comprised of technical representatives from several campus units. Our plan is to centrally provide wireless coverage in publicly open key campus areas and coordinate additional coverage with departments that are interested in implementing their own wireless networks. Our staff is standing ready to assist departments that are interested in implementing wireless networks within their buildings.

If you have any questions, please contact us via the support-wireless@ucsd.edu email address. Access, password, and computer configuration questions should be sent to the ACS Network Operations helpdesk at userserv@ucsd.edu or x41857. Network availability problems and requests for departmental wireless networks should be addressed to the ACT Helpdesk at acthelp@ucsd.edu or x41853. Questions regarding specific departmental wireless networks should be addressed to the corresponding system administrators.

                                                Elazar C. Harel
                                                Assistant Vice Chancellor
                                                Administrative Computing & Telecom (ACT)

                                                Tony Wood
                                                Director
                                                Academic Computing Services (ACS)