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FYI, this message just went out to deans, directors, and chairs. /rich ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Tom Davis <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 13:43:21 -0500 Subject: Fwd: MSUnet Wireless status update To: [log in to unmask] FYI. /Tom >Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 13:42:01 -0500 >To: [log in to unmask] >From: Tom Davis <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: MSUnet Wireless status update > >Last Fall, ACNS began rolling out MSUnet Wireless, the centrally-supported >wireless data network. We first installed service in the Main Library, and >then moved to various high-demand areas around campus. Throughout this >period the service has been in "beta" test mode. > >For the past two weeks, this service has been essentially offline. Although >it is still in test mode, because of the duration of this outage, I wanted >to provide this update. > >Yesterday we discovered off-the-shelf wireless devices, one in the Computer >Center and one on a college building network, that appear to be the primary >cause of this extended outage. (The devices were "bridging" between the >wired and wireless networks in such a way as to disrupt the service.) At >this point, these two devices have been disabled and MSUnet Wireless (beta) >is back online. > >Throughout this outage ACNS network staff have worked long hours to diagnose >and repair the problem; the wireless equipment manufacturer, Airespace, has >also had engineers on campus working closely with us. On the way to finding >the primary problem, Airespace learned of weaknesses in its software that >require engineering work and is already working on some needed improvements. >In addition, ACNS has learned a great deal about the inner workings of the >Airespace equipment - knowledge that will likely prove useful in the future. > >Although we all wish the outage had not lasted so long, I am very proud of >the effort that ACNS staff put in to resolve it. We have moved aggressively >to deploy the MSUnet Wireless service, as the demand is high. It is possible >that we will experience other growing pains so, for the immediate future, it >will remain in beta test mode. We look forward to finishing the "shakedown >cruise" and declaring MSUnet Wireless a production service. > >Tom Davis, Director >Academic Computing and Network Services