Below are some notes from the wealth of information in her presentation, but here's the gist of what I wanted to hear from here--and did: This is a terrific service for your patrons; don't make it difficult for them to use.
So, some notes...
You don't need to be a wireless transmisson expert, but want to know that wireless is the fusion of technologies that have been around awhile: networking and radio
Wireless networking takes place in a tiny section of the spectrum, wireless networking takes packe in 2.4 GHz-5.8 GHz range of spectrum--applicable to the equipment involved, and interoperability. One of the jobs of the equipment gets rid of a lot of the noise from other devices that use the same frequency--baby monitors, garage door openers. etc.
If you think libraries have a lot of acronymns and jargon, technology is the king. Just a few key terms/concepts that you'll want to be familiar with:
- Access Point--usually attached to a wired Internet connection, then broadcasts it out; one access point can server several users, but bandwidth is divided among them so too many users can slow it down. Interference can come from books and shelves, which will absorb the signal--make sure access points can transmit to the points in the library that you want to sure are covered.
- WLAN--Wireless Local Area Network
- 802.11 standards--how wireless devices talk to each other; most devices will use 802.11b or 802.11g
Options for wireless networking in the library:
- Extending your wired network to wireless. Make sure that your staff and patron sides of the network should be separate (maybe not physically, but with virtual LAN, so you can be sure that the two can see each other). Talk to your tech person/consultant about securing
- Run a separate line (DSL, whatever) for the wireless network, so wireless users are using a physically separate connection
Wireless Security Options: Wireless doesn't have to be insecure!
- Separate your patron and staff networks
- Separate wireless network
- Encryption key security--often comes with access point; users must get code from the library
- Authenticate--have to create username and password, library barcode (limit to specific set of users)
- "Captive Portal"--"forced" to read user agreement; first thing that comes up when browser opens
How NOT to secure your wireless network
- Never tell anyone you have it (This is a library service, make sure people know you have it)
- Make it impossible for people to use it
- Turn it off (Make sure it's not a non-wireless issue, such as physical issue--like people using it in the parking lot at night. IF that is perceived to be a problem, configure it so
Advantages of wireless
- flexibility
- patrons can use own equipment
- Takes load off your public computers
- allows for many of the traditional security features
- Extend access without expensive cabling
Why go wireless?
- Students bringing laptops
- Additional access needed
- Older building
- Newer building
- The technology Curve
- The Board is asking
- RAGBRAI (if you're reading this from outside Iowa, this is the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa--hundreds and hundreds of people cycling across the state, and stop at night; they use libraries for Internet, e-mail, air conditioning, etc...)
Best reason to go wireless: Because your patrons are asking for it
Potential costs:
- Access points (AP's) $50-$1500
- Software (captive portal, authentication--if you use those)
- Cabling to attach AP's
- Electrical for APs (or Power Over Ethernet)
- Wi-Fi Alliance - www.wi-fi.org
Site Survey (report will tell you where you need access points to get the coverage you want, how many APs, how & where to connect into Internet connection)
- spectrum analysis
- RF Interference (those pesky shelves!)
- Finding someone to do the survey--talk to your ISP, talk to other businesses that have wirelss about who they used
Marketing your Hot Spot
- Tell you staff first
- tell yor lrager organization
- tell your patrons
- make a map
In short: DO IT!!
- tell the library world
- tell the press
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