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Smith College currently provides the convenience of wireless data network access in select locations to the campus community. Wireless networking is provided as an added supplement to the college’s wired LAN network, and is not considered a replacement to wired access. Use of the wireless network should be in conformance with the college’s Policy on the Acceptable Use of Computer Resources.
Wireless networking is a broadcast and shared form of communication, and as such presents a variety of additional issues and security risks that are not present with a wired connection. Wireless data protocols also use the shared 2.4 GHz frequency airspace which is open and used by a variety of other technologies, including cordless phones, microwave ovens, and BlueTooth devices; this also presents reliability and performance issues for wireless networking.
Therefore, Smith College has adopted the following policies and recommendations relating to the deployment and use of wireless networking on the college’s network.
- Access to the wireless LAN will be restricted to authenticated members of the Smith community.
- Only wireless access points provided and installed by ITS, or authorized and approved by ITS, are permitted on the college’s campus LAN.
- Personal access points (also known as “rogue” access points) are not permitted; where such devices are found connected to the network, data access to that location will be disabled until the access point is removed.
- Client computers with wireless network interface cards (NICs) are not permitted to be configured to act as access points.
- When conflicts arise between devices using the 2.4 Ghz airspace and Smith's wireless LAN, precedence will be granted to the wireless data network. Exceptions can be granted; requests for an exemption to this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of Information Technology Services.
Departments may request wireless network access in specific locations not currently covered by submitting an application to the Executive Director of Information Technology Services or designated alternates; departments should expect to cover all costs associated with providing this service.
Smith does not currently require all wireless communications to be encrypted. This may be required in the future, but until then, encryption at the application layer is very strongly encouraged, including use of SSH and HTTPS for example, when such options are available.
Access to Banner data or other Smith business systems via wireless access, regardless of location on or off campus, is strongly discouraged, even when using encrypted protocols.
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Approved by ITCC: February 22, 2005
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