8/22/2006

SMC Goes Wireless

Left: Danessa Kilpatrick takes advantage of wireless access in Marie Blair Burgess Library. Right: Nick Fusco takes a break outside to catch up on his favorite Website.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Students, faculty and staff no longer need to be tied down to a network cable, now that increased areas on the SMC campus have gone wireless. According to Bill Roach, Executive Director of Information Technology, wireless access is currently available in the Burgess Student center, including the cafeteria. It is also available at  Marie Blair Burgess Library, Montgomery Science Center, Walker Hall, and Sparrow Residence Hall.

“In most of these areas there is a significant external access area as well,” added Roach. “This allows our students to sit at some of the outside tables and benches while still connected.” To address security concerns, wireless access is handled through Cisco Clean Access software. Roach pointed out that in order for students to access the wireless network they will need to meet the same requirements that the residence halls have. They will need a computer with wireless capability running Windows and using Internet Explorer as their Web browser. They should also have their operating system updated with the most current Windows patches and install Clean Access software and up-to-date antivirus software to control security. 

Roach said that future plans are to install wireless access in additional residence halls. For now, areas on campus not yet served with wireless (including all rooms in residence halls) have high-speed Internet access.

SMC has come a long way since Internet access was first established in 1997. In 2000 high-speed Internet access was installed in each residence hall room.