Overview:
Wireless in the Local Area Network using the IEEE 802.11 standard is an emerging technology. 802.11 wireless technology by nature is very easy to deploy, but very sensitive to overlapping frequencies and must be planned, deployed, and managed in a very careful and centralized fashion to ensure basic functionality, maximum bandwidth, and a secure network.
Current 802.11 wireless technology deploys a very low power signal in a frequency band divided into only 3 non-overlapping channels. The primary purpose of these channels is not so much to provide separate networks but to allow adjacent access points with slightly overlapping areas of coverage to not interfere with each other. In the normal case, it is necessary to use all three channels in an integrated fashion as a single unified network in order to achieve an optimal design. It is therefore not feasible to allow individuals to install their own access points due to the resulting signal interference and greatly degraded performance to the common wireless network.
The situation is analogous to the allocation of frequency spectrum by the FCC. If everyone was just allowed to use any spectrum at any time for any reason, the result would be chaos, and it would be impossible to use any of the spectrum for the common good. It is therefore proposed that NCAB act as the FCC of UCAR regarding 802.11 wireless networking.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the best wireless 802.11 network possible for all UCAR users.
Only the Network Engineering and Telecommunication Section (NETS) will plan, deploy, and manage 802.11 wireless access points within UCAR.
NCAB will advise NETS on wireless plans, deployment strategies, and management issues.
NETS intention is to provide a standard wireless service that is sufficient for the general needs of UCAR users. Groups requiring wireless services above and beyond the standard services may contract with NETS for the construction and operation of a premium wireless service, assuming that wireless spectrum is available for such service. NETS will work with divisions to try and accommodate any special needs they may have within the technical constraints of the wireless technology understanding that all requests may not be technically feasible. Such requests could be wireless service for areas not covered by the standard wireless network, wireless service for field projects, wireless service for off-site conferences, training, etc., wireless service for aircraft, wireless services for radar pads, field trailers, etc., and other such wireless requirements.