Wireless Technology Whats There For Your District

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Wireless Technology Whats There For Your
District?
7th Annual 2002 K-12 Networking
Conference February 26 - March 1, 2002 Marriott
Crystal Gateway, Crystal City, VALeadership for
the Digital School Implications, Opportunities
and Challenges
Daryl Ann Borel dborel_at_houstonisd.org Assistant
Superintendent, Technology Gary
Teeter gteeter_at_houstonisd.org Supervisor, Special
Projects Houston Independent School
District Houston, Texas
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REMEMBER WHEN Students sat quietly in rows and
worked by themselves with pencil and paper.
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NOW Students work in groups, use the Web to get
the latest content, talk to experts online and in
person, and learn from images, sound and text.
In classrooms today learning is active and
technology is well-integrated.
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How We Got Here
In November 1998, 73 of the citizens of Houston
approved a 678 M school facility bond package
for repairs of 69 schools and construction of 10
new schools.
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Items for Discussion

• Wireless Networking Overview
• Types of Wireless Networks
• Wireless Standards
• Security Issues
• Key Components WLAN
• Deployment Issues
• Advantages of Wireless Laptops
• Lessons Learned
• Areas to Monitor
• Questions and Responses

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Wireless Networking Overview

• Background
• Vast majority of LANs based on wired Ethernet
• 10 Mbps
• 10/100 Mbps
• Gigabit (1000 Mbps)
• Wireless wasnt accepted for 3 reasons
• Throughput (1 Mbps/2Mbps)
• Wireless adapters and access points too expensive
  
• First wireless products didnt work well together
• Wireless LAN (WLAN) is a LAN
• Natural extension of wired LAN and WAN networks
• Wireless doesnt mean Without Wires

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Types of Wireless Networks

• Bluetooth- based on the short-range transmission
  of radio signals a Wireless Personal Area
  Network (WPAN) which allows devices to achieve
  point-to-point connection forming a highly mobile
  network that moves as devices move.
• IrDA (Infrared Direct Access) uses infrared
  light pulses. Ex. Remote controls. Requires
  direct line of sight.

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Spread Spectrum(designated by IEEE 802.11)

• Direct-sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) devices
  using DSSS communicate by splitting each byte of
  data into several parts and sending them
  concurrently on different frequencies. DSSS uses
  a lot of the available bandwidth, about 22 MHz.
• Frequency-hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)- devices
  using FHSS send a short burst of data, shift
  frequencies (hop) and then send another short
  burst.
• FHSS devices are less prone to interference than
  DSSS devices, but DSSS is capable of much greater
  speed than DHSS since these devices can send a
  lot more data at the same time.
• Both are based on spread-spectrum radio waves in
  the 2.4GHz range

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Types of Wireless Networks

• HomeRF (Radio Frequency) and SWAP (Shared
  Wireless Access Protocol)- A sort of hybrid
  standard. Includes six voice channels based on
  the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication
  (DECT) standard and the 802.11 wireless- Ethernet
  specification for data. SWAP devices make 50
  hops per second and transmit at 1 Mbps. Uses FHSS
  as the method of communication.
• Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA)
  or Wi-Fi for wireless fidelity Seal of
  approval of the IEEE 802.11B. Focuses of DSSS
  because of the higher data rates, up to 11 Mbps.
  Wi-Fi offers Ethernet speeds without the wires.

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Wireless Standards
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Security Issues

• Virtual Private Network - Access controlled by
  Radius MAC Authentication
• Supports Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP) Standard
  an IEEE 802.11b feature designed to provide
  data confidentiality
• Equally vulnerable as a wired network
• Physical Security of the Laptops

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Key Components - WLAN
Access Point The network device that links
wireless clients to the wired network --
900/unit Wireless Adapters Radio transceivers
in the mobile nodes -- 75/ea (Cards or
Integrated)
Server
Access Point
Wired Network
Fixed Node
Mobile Node
Mobile Node
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Deployment Issues

• Determining the Scope
• Ascertain how much coverage you require based on
  how many users, computers and types of
  applications
• Choosing the Computers
• Integrated wireless RJ45 upgradablity
• Surveying the Site
• Determine how many and placement of access points
• Evaluating the Technology
• Scalability Compatibility Security Roaming
  Capabilities
• Procuring the Components
• Access point wireless adapters
• Installing the Systems
• Configuring and installing the access points

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Advantages of Wireless Laptops

• Ease of movement
• More Time on Task
• Better Classroom Arrangement
• Strategic Deployment and Flexibility
• Cost
• Low Profile
• Convenience and Simple to Use

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Lessons Learned

• Cart Selection
• Locks
• Wheels
• Power Requirements
• Retractable Drawers
• Retractable Power Cable
• Aesthetics

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Lessons Learned

• Laptop Selection
• Integrated Card
• Upgradeable
• Integrated RJ45
• Dual Bay

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Lessons Learned

• Connection Flexibility
• Wired Desktops
• Wireless Laptops
• High/Low

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Lessons Learned

• Technology As Appropriate
• Music
• Art
• Special Needs
• Science
• Library

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Lessons Learned

• Staff Readiness Is a Prime Issue
• Are your teachers and staff ready to be unplugged?

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Areas to Monitor(Challenges/Opportunities)

• Battery Life
• Bandwidth
• Interference
• Security
• Migration Path Which standard to choose for
  future expandability?
• 802.11a or 802.11g?

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Give Kids a Chance
Give Society A Future
dborel_at_houstonisd.org gteeter_at_houstonisd.org