Wireless in Wallace Memorial Library that is.

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Wireless in Wallace (Memorial Library that is.)

• Pat Pitkin
• Director of Library Services
• papwml_at_rit.edu
• Michael Robertson
• Library Software Specialist marwml_at_rit.edu
• NEASIS Annual Conference 2000

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Rochester Institute of Technology- General Info

• 7 Colleges
• 12,500 students
• Diverse Programs
• AAS-Ph.D. programs
• Career-Oriented
• Technology based

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Wallace Library
General Info

• Technology based
• Small local collection
• Large digital collections
• Facility- relatively new
• History of technology innovation

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Wallace Library Stats 2000-01

• Holdings (vols.)
• Staff
• Total Budget
• Subscription
• Books
• Electronic Media

400,000 44 permanent 120 student workers 4.3
Million 800,000 300,000 450,000
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Project Description

• Experiment with wireless
• Use Laptops
• Circulate from reserve desk
• Test for campus wide use
• Explore network management issue

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Project Description Requirements

• Had to be
• easy to use
• low maintenance
• flexible
• low cost
• scaleable

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Whyd we do it

• Mobility possibilities
• Cost of fixed connections
• Service to users
• Experience with the technology
• Leadership on campus

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Howd we do it the big picture

• Ad hoc group- Library and Computing
• Environment scan- on/off campus
• Tied into the Bookstore
• Test bed for broader initiative
• Raised general interest on campus

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Howd we do it the operational view

• Systems Support
• floor coverage
• IP allocations-DHCP
• security on hub
• insuring software stability
• additional hardware/ supplies
• software availability

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Howd we do it the operational view

• Circulation Support
• length of time
• security
• replacement cost
• check out mechanics
• Recharge/refresh

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Results

• Lots of use
• Lots of good PR
• Lots of visibility for the library
• Puts us on the wireless path
• Leverage space- after hours
• Campus wide initiative

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Results Use

• Checkouts Jan 1 -Sep 25
• gt PC Laptop 1500
• gt MAC Laptop 400
• thats about 220 a month

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Wireless Uses
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Lessons Learned Pros

• Freedom/mobility
• Take advantage of laptops
• Flexibility of space and functionality
• Low cost
• Increased service
• Experience with the technology

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Lessons Learned Cons

• Speed of connection
• Changing fast
• Does cost time and money
• Compatibility across other wireless devices
• Maintenance and user support

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Lessons Learned General

• Timing important
• Sometimes its just luck
• Tie into community important
• Students are clever
• Students very receptive to the service
• Ahead of the user curve

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Futures

• Circulate cards
• Add more laptops and cheaper devices
• Campus wide installations
• Plan on upgrade
• Look at other standards

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"I am certainly not one of those who need to be
prodded. In fact, if anything, I am the prod."

• Sir Winston Churchill

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Check out our site

• http//wally.rit.edu/

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Wireless Technology in the Library The RIT
Experience

• Michael Robertson
• Software Specialist
• Wallace Library
• Rochester Institute of Technology

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Technical Background

• Met with vendors
• Surveyed bldg. borrowed equip. -determine
  access point placement
• Signal beyond walls
• Expensive slow to put in electrical Ethernet
  jacks
• Selected Lucent WaveLAN (Orinoco)

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Specifications

• 802.11b compliant (11Mbps)
• 802.11 (2 Mbps)
• Allow roaming
• Upgradeable
• Room for expansion (2d card)
• Be mounted inconspicuously
• Affordable, Scaleable

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Installation

• Networking Group, Information
  Technology Services
• Bolted Access Point to Ceiling
• External Antenna Exposed (bacon strip)
• Installed separate roaming subnet integrated with
  campus DHCP server
• Secure Network (no encryption yet but filtering
  on router end of network drop)

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Installation

• Set-up circulating laptops
• Install wireless cards
• Installed network printer software
• Map computer lap disk drive for data storage
  (iBooks are diskless)
• Battery re-charge station at Circulation (iBook
  2 hrs. Toshiba 1 hr.)
• Staff documentation what to do at check-in

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Installation

• Install Software Browsers, MS Office
• Register cards on DHCP server
• Insert security strips

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Usage

• iBooks much better reception w/antenna in lid
  (Dell plans to do also)
• But Toshibas much more popular

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Maintenance

• How to maintain circulating wireless laptops?
• Verify network card/memory still intact
• Created Ghost CD to reformat hard drive after
  each circulation

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Support

• Support from local Lucent reseller
• In-Library support
  Library Computer Lab assistant
• Help users with their own wireless laptop
• Need to register wireless card at RIT DHCP server
  Website
• Help users store data on public disk vol.
• Help users with pay-per-print

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Future Issues

• Competing Standards
• BlueTooth
• HomeRF
• 802.15 High Rate
• More home office wireless
• which standard?

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Wireless networks on collision course in the
home http//www.eet.com/story/OEG20000228S0059
EETimes.com
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Future Issues

• What impact will Broadband Wireless (e.g. Sprint)
  have?
• Integration with campus wireless
• Handheld devices
• Integration of wireless into Laptops (no card
  needed e.g. Dell) increase use? No installation
  required

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• ?

• Presentation Web References http//wally.rit.ed
  u/information/presentations.html