WIFI Access

[napsburypark]

Hi Everyone.

 

We have had WIFI in our school for a couple of years now (all unsecured, anyone can connect) They are all named by the area or room they are in e.g STAFFROOM.

 

We are about to replace a load and add more due to a few failures.

 

I just wondered what other schools out there do with WIFI...

 

- How do you name them, could I name them all the same e.g. SCHOOLNAME?

- Would I have to put them on different channels?

 

- Do you secure your networks, if so how do you allow access?

- Is there an easy way to monitor whos logged on where?

- Can I force Students & Staff to have to logon with their AD crudentials before getting access to network?

 

Thank you in advance.

[mac_shinobi]

I don't work at a school and have not for quite some time but I will just say one word that will no doubt get mentioned at some point ruckus

 

http://www.ruckuswireless.com/

[napsburypark]

I have looked at this but it is a costly solution for a tighter budget

[mac_shinobi]

I have heard a few mention xiruss

 

Xirrus: The Leader in High Performance Wi-Fi

[napsburypark]

The WIFI point have been purchased now so I am really looking at how best to set them up & manage them, What does the WIFI Feature do in Server 2008 R2?

 

Thank you.

[mavhc]

- I just wondered what other schools out there do with WIFI...

More than 5 APs I'd look into getting a managed solution. We have cisco, but it sounds like one of their APs would probably cost more than your entire setup

 

- How do you name them, could I name them all the same e.g. SCHOOLNAME?

Yes, in theory the computer will move from AP to AP as it's carried around the school then.

 

- Would I have to put them on different channels?

Kind of, you only have 3 real channels, 1, 7, 13, so just make sure a 1 isn't next to a 1, plan it on paper first. Label the APs with their channel number, mac address, and ip.

 

- Do you secure your networks, if so how do you allow access?

Of course, only WPA for now

 

- Is there an easy way to monitor whos logged on where?

Easy? Not if it's not managed, however I have been writing a vbs script to run at login to record that, idea being to set a default printer

 

- Can I force Students & Staff to have to logon with their AD crudentials before getting access to network?

You'd be looking for RAIDUS, possible, but might be complex