Copyright © 2003, Purdue University, all rights reserved.
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
An equal access/equal opportunity university.
Last updated 12/07/2003
|
Menu: Abstract Terms Academic Administrative Auxiliary Value to Higher Ed Vendors Devices Software Security Install Costs Schedule Purdue Airlink Higher Ed Installs References Annotated Bib.
|
General
Abstract This portal was designed to fulfill the final project requirements for EDFA 591B- Strategic Information Technology for Higher Education at Purdue University, John A. Mendonca, Professor, December 15, 2003. From the mission statement for the class, the syllabus states in part: “The course takes an enterprise leadership view of IT in the organization with the objective of developing a leadership perspective for non-IT managers. It includes both a descriptive component (describing how IT affects organizations) and a prescriptive component (exploring and evaluating effective methods of applying IT for organizational benefit.” We approached this web portal topic in the same way, exploring the descriptive side of wireless technology and taking it to the next level by discovering how the technology can be applied for organizational benefit. To better understand the various components of wireless networking, one should become familiar with a few of the terms that comprise wireless technology. Below are common terms one will hear when discussing wireless. To date, 802.11b appears to be the most common wireless networking being implemented on campuses. While 802.11g is still under development it will most likely become more frequent, as it is backward compatible with 802.11b (meaning both kinds of devices can work on either wireless network). Terms 802.11b- the IEEE standard for wireless LANs (WLANs) which operate in the 2.4 GHz range. Provides up to 11 Mbps for data transfer, but in reality speeds of 5 Mbps are the norm. 802.11a- the IEEE standard for wireless LANs which operate in the 5 GHz range. Provides up to 54 Mbps for data transfer, but 25 Mbps is more the norm. 802.11g- IEEE standard for wireless LANs which operate in the same radio spectrum as 802.11b, but has speeds closer to those of 802.11a. Bluetooth- uses the same radio spectrum as 802.11b (and 802.11g) Cellular and "3G"- mainly applies to cellular companies. Works over the same radio spectrum as a cellular call; transfer rates are faster than most dial-up modem speeds, but slower than WLAN transfer rates. Access Point (AP)- AP’s emit radio signals in the 2.4 GHz range to the surrounding area. A device (such as a laptop or PDA) that has a wireless networking card installed can receive the signal and communicate with the AP, allowing the device to ultimately “talk to” the rest of the network. APs are hard-wired to the network. They broadcast a signal to the surrounding area. Devices with a wireless network card installed receive the signal and communicate with the AP and through it, to the rest of the network. VPN (Virtual Private Network)- A VPN is a type of network connection that ensures confidentiality and integrity of data transfer through authentication and encryption. A VPN hides the contents of traffic to prevent unwanted disclosure to unauthorized or malicious individuals. It is also an encrypted connection between private networks over a public network, such as the Internet. A VPN provides 4 critical functions: 1. Confidentially- encryption. 2. Data integrity- you KNOW the data hasn't been modified in transit. 3. Origin authentication- you authenticate the source. 4. Anti-replay protection- verifies that each packet is unique and not duplicated.
|
|
Copyright © 2003, Purdue University, all rights reserved. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
An equal access/equal opportunity university.
Last updated 12/07/2003 |