TITLE:    Wireless Network Standards

IT - STANDARD: 04

DATE DRAFTED: 02/26/04

APPROVED DATE: 06/27/06

REVISION DATE: 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Provides guidance and procedures for the use of wireless technologies on the University of Iowa campus.

 Introduction | Purpose | Statement | Suitability | Implementation | Related Policies | IT Policy Index

Introduction:

Wireless network technologies are poised to play an important role at the University of Iowa.  We are only at the beginning of exploring the benefits of mobile, untethered network.

Several challenges exist in creating a successful wireless service. The use of radio frequencies as a network medium is less reliable than a traditional wired network and is susceptible to interference. The boundaries of the network are amorphous and dynamic. There are competing methods for device communications and securing the network. Standards and best practices related to wireless networks are still emerging and evolving. And in this fast paced environment, it is difficult to get vendor convergence on specific implementations.

The University of Iowa believes that a coordinated, centralized delivery of wireless networking services is the best strategy to succeed in the face of these challenges. Our goal is to provide a common user experience across campus, efficiently support users, protect network resources, and provide a quality service. This coordinated effort is best handled by the Telecommunications and Network Services (TNS) group in the University of Iowa’s Information Technology Services (ITS) by leveraging their experience and expertise in data communications and support of the traditional campus infrastructure.

Purpose:

This policy describes how wireless networking fits into the University of Iowa’s data networking services, how wireless services are currently deployed, and how to request wireless networking services.

The policy goals are:

  1. To communicate intent and direction with respect to the deployment of wireless technology on the University of Iowa campus.

  2. Provide a framework for a common experience for wireless users across campus.

  3. Designate a security mechanism for authenticating users to wireless service.

  4. Set expectations and guidelines for wireless usage.


Statement:

  1. Wireless access points will conform to 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g specifications developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
  2. The IEEE 802.11 Service Set Identifier (SSID) for University of Iowa wireless networks is “UI Wireless-WEP”.
  3. Access to wireless services will be restricted to students, faculty, staff, and visitors that have been authorized for wireless service. Wireless access points will only perform authentication for authorized users of the service
  4. Students, faculty, and staff shall be authenticated with their Hawk ID. Authentication credentials shall be protected through the use of data encryption.
  5. Access points will authenticate clients using IEEE 802.1X methods. In order to facilitate academic use, alternative authentication methods can be considered on a case-by-case basis for devices that cannot perform 802.1X-type authentication.
  6. Access points will require that clients utilize the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) protocol as developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance (this protocol is a subset of rules derived from the IEEE 802.11i security specification).
  7. The use of WPA or WEP shall not be construed as an effort by the University of Iowa to protect data that traverses the wireless network. WPA and WEP are best-effort attempts to restrict access to University of Iowa networking resources by unauthorized individuals. If securing network data is a requirement for an application, then an additional end-to-end security protocol should be employed (SSL, SSH, IPSec, etc.).
  8. Violation of the University of Iowa Network Citizenship Policy or the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy can result in the revocation of authorization to use wireless network services.
  9. Wireless networking equipment shall not be installed on the University campus without TNS written consent specifying the operating parameters of the alternative service (i.e., SSID, channel selection, power output, authorization and authentication methods, data encryption, etc.).
  10. Wireless networking equipment not installed by TNS can be removed if it does not meet the requirements of this policy, interferes with TNS wireless equipment, or causes other network services to be impaired.
  11. Requests for wireless service can be made by contacting TNS at 335-2945 or sending an email to its-wireless@uiowa.edu. Requesting wireless service is not an acceptable method of avoiding wired network charges.

Suitability

Wireless systems offer a different type of service from wired service with respect to reliability, available bandwidth, security, and portability. Wireless service is an extension of the wired network for general-purpose network. It enables applications that require the mobility offered by wireless, but which don’t require the bandwidth or reliability of wired connections.

Wireless bandwidth availability is more limited than wired bandwidth and is shared among users in an area. As the number of users in an area increase, the available bandwidth to each user decreases. So wireless is less appropriate in areas of high user density, especially if high bandwidth applications are a requirement.  Given the limited bandwidth available per user, wireless currently works best for the relatively low bandwidth applications, such as web browsing and e-mail.

Implementation

  1. University of Iowa wireless networking services are provided TNS. Individuals, units, and departments that receive their wired network services from TNS should not install their own wireless access points. TNS reserves the right to deploy wireless networking equipment as a part of a campus-wide wireless service in University owned and rented spaces. This may require the removal of non-TNS equipment. Exceptions for user deployed wireless networking equipment will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To contact TNS about wireless networking, send an email to its-wireless@uiowa.edu.
  2. Wireless service requests which are denied can be appealed to the University of Iowa’s Chief Information Officer (CIO).
  3. Removal of non-TNS equipment from service can be appealed to the University of Iowa’s CIO.

Related Policies, References and Attachments:

This collection of University of Iowa Information Technology policies and procedures contain acceptable use, security, networking, administrative, and academic policies that have been developed to supplement and clarify University of Iowa policy.

They are incorporated into the University of Operations Manual (http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/index.html) by reference, per the Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/19.htm). 

  1. Airspace Policy
  2. Network Citizenship Policy
  3. Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
  4. Enterprise Login ID Standard
  5. Enterprise Password Policy
Copyright © 2005 The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.