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The UF Office of Information Technology Newsletter | |
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UF Plugs Into BlueSocket | |
Wireless roaming around campus will get a little easier with the implementation of BlueSocket Gateways by UF Computing and Networking Services.
"The BlueSocket devices are gateway systems that are used to authenticate users into the UF network when using either wireless or walk-up ports. These are being deployed to replace the current Walkup Internet Port Authentication (WIPA) system. Just as with the current WIPA system, users will use their GatorLink ID to log in," said Matt Grover, senior network engineer with Network Services.
Wireless access on campus will seem more streamlined to end users because BlueSocket will allow them to cross the invisible lines where one wireless area stops and another begins.
"With the older system, if you went from one wireless 'area' to another, you would have to re-authenticate (log in again). The dividing lines between wireless areas are sometimes as close together as Tigert and Criser. If a user were using wireless and walked from Tigert to Criser, under the old system, they would have to re-login. With BlueSocket Gateways, as long as wireless association is maintained, they wouldn't have to re-login," said Lin Baugher, network engineer with Network Services.
BlueSocket is expected to be phased in during late fall 2003, says Grover, provided that development timelines are met.
Another advantage of the new system is that it will be more easily managed.
"We'll have better reporting features, like how many users are accessing the system, who's using how much bandwidth and other statistics like that. It'll also be a simpler system to support," says Grover. "The current system has worked well but it relies on a more complex interdependency of devices. It was developed because three or four years ago, there wasn't anything like BlueSocket out there that met our needs," he said.
The new system is also scalable so that as UF's needs change, there's room to grow, Baugher said.
Users may see a few visible changes besides the ability to roam campus a bit more easily. The Web page that they initially log into will look a little different. Also, instead of using just their GatorLink ID, their userids will actually be their entire GatorLink e-mail address. For example, if a user's GatorLink userid is "albert," instead of just entering "albert," they'll enter "albert@ufl.edu."
The need for privacy and security, especially on wireless, remains the same. "Users should still use VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to ensure that they aren't sending sensitive information in the clear," Grover said. "We also strongly encourage people to use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) enabled services for Web or e-mail."
The BlueSocket system, however, will be available to provide network connectivity for users who do not have the VPN service installed.
For assistance in configuring your computer to use wireless technology on campus, please contact the UF Help Desk at helpdesk@ufl.edu or (352) 392-HELP.