Victoria University
Victoria University has over 2,000 students and staff
who regularly use the wireless network to access the Internet and
research material. That number is expected to grow significantly,
prompting the University to re-consider how it manages security and
the registration of these wireless users.
Challenge
The process for registering students into the supporting
authentication database was a lengthy and tedious manual process,
covering 12 campuses and 50,000 students. "Students were required
to fill out application forms to register, which were then sent to
IT administration staff, who then input the student’s information
as well as the laptop’s unique Media Access Control (MAC) address
into a database before sending an email to the student confirming
registration," said Tim Horvat, Communications Manager, Victoria
University. "This process could take up to two days to complete, so
the University decided to take steps to improve students’ access to
its network, as well as simplify the process of student
registration," he said. The financial support for this activity
came from the Higher Education Innovation Program of the Department
of Education, Science and Training.
Solution
Logicalis’ solution was a secure wireless Authentication gateway
with high network security. Using one of the University’s wireless
base stations, the student’s laptop webpage is directed to a secure
authentication page. Once the student logs in, relevant university
resources can be accessed immediately. University staff can also
access the wireless network for activities such as conducting
research or uploading lecture notes. They find this service
particularly helpful when they are away from their usual campus, in
meetings or teaching rounds.
Because each student and staff member has a unique login,
laptops that have already had the MAC address captured by the
university database can be shared between students to access the
network. For students who do not own or have access to laptops, the
university also loans laptops as part of the regular library
borrowing service.
Oliver Descoeudres, Logicalis Australia’s Marketing Director,
added: "The University wanted a customised wireless solution that
would fully automate the registration and approval process for
students wanting to access University resources using their
laptops."
Victoria University plans to expand its hotspots to additional
sites across its twelve campuses. Currently, there are wireless
base stations in all libraries and around ten per cent of the
buildings. The University is planning to increase this figure to
around 50 per cent.
Benefits
The solution has decreased registration time from two days to
just ten minutes. Operating costs associated with the manual
process have been eliminated by the new web based registration
system. "The unique addition of automating the registration process
has turned what used to be a time-consuming and costly task into a
streamlined process," said Mr Horvat. "Our students are happier,
and IT staff can now focus on other initiatives that can further
enhance the student’s experience." "The wireless Authentication
gateway maximizes student and staff access to information and
resources while providing a secure, convenient solution from now
into the future," he said.