Discussion Group: Wireless

Description:
Wireless technology now has many faces. Join ITS members to discuss the various issues that we face with all the wireless devices and platforms. Non-wireless users and “thinking about it” persons are welcome too. The ITS business meeting is included.

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Introduction to NELA-ITS, and what they do – work with and talk about technology, and plan an annual ITS Spring Technology workshop.

Wireless is very common in libraries today, so today’s session is an “in-person tech support session” with ITS tech staff.

Issues brought up:

Problem is with signing on with IE7 and/or Vista not with bluesocket connection (but okay with IE6 and/or Firefox).

• check for firmware upgrades
• check “security” settings in browser – try setting everything to default
• check any other security settings (Norton, McAfee, etc)
• Connecting to wireless with Vista has actually worked better than XP for ITS staff, as Vista recognizes a wireless connection and automatically locks down other areas of the computer to protect it

Wireless laptops in the library

• Circulating laptops saves on room as they don’t require dedicated table space
• Using wireless laptops as lookup stations in parts of the library that would be difficult to wire
• Handling updates can be problematic, as they all need to be turned on and “unfrozen.” Perhaps leave them on overnight to let updates happen
• Use same virus protect as on public computers
• Think about using some kind of bandwidth limiting (or a packet shaper). Bluesocket can also do this

How to balance access and security?

• Access should be as wide and freely-available as possible
• Keep in mind that if a network is hacked, then all information on that network is potentially vulnerable
• Weight likelihood of break-in (such as Coast Guard Academy or a college’s student network) with needs of the public

Wireless printing

• Provide a link for patrons to download printer driver
• Have a separate printer networked to the wireless router
• Have patrons send document as email attachment to special email account
• Keep a flash drive handy to move to a print-enabled computer

Turning off wireless connection at night?

• Turn it off at night to keep people from hanging out in the parking lot
• Police will sometimes prevent loitering, even though the connection is on
• Seems to be bad publicity for library

Wireless network separate from staff network, to protect ILS and staff from external computers

• currently using free Comcast network access
• use VLAN

Network monitoring (if one person brings in an infected computer, just block that one person instead of shutting down the entire network) and a splash screen (patron must agree to Acceptable Use Policy)

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ITS Annual Business Meeting

• Rick Taplin is incoming Chair
• Scott Kehoe is Vice-Chair
• Marilyn Borgendale is secretary
• Members-at-Large: Margaret Perkins and Brian Herzog
• Kathy Lussier is outgoing Chair
• NELA-ITS has a Yahoo group – sign up for meeting announcements
• Usually meet bi-monthly in Shrewsbury, MA
• Main activities is planning for Spring Conference, sessions for NELA Annual Conference, and a cookout at Rick Taplin’s house.