Wednesday, August 14, 2002

WRITER: Phil Williams, 706/542-8501, phil@franklin.uga.edu
CONTACT: Bert DeSimone, 706/542-5359, bert@uga.edu

UGA’S HERTY FIELD GOES WIRELESS FOR COMPUTER USERS; FIRST SEGMENT OF NEW PERSONAL WIRELESS/WALKUP SYSTEM ON CAMPUS

ATHENS, Ga. — Herty Field on the University of Georgia’s North Campus, a green expanse with a large cascading fountain, now has another attraction for UGA students, faculty and staff: wireless access to the Internet.

The new access, which has been operational since mid-summer, is the first segment of a new wireless network that will be constructed over the next several years on campus. Called PAWS — the Personal Wireless/Walkup System — the access will allow authorized users to use their web browsers, check e-mail or use any other Internet-enabled application.

"PAWS is an excellent example of just how successful partnerships in technology can be," said Bert DeSimone, director of communications for UGA’s Enterprise Information Technology Services, which has overseen development of the project. "Many departments on campus are interested in deploying wireless networks. By working together, we will be providing our students, faculty and staff a secure, ubiquitous and highly usable wireless network.

The Herty Field project was originated and developed by Christine Miller, director of the Systems Group in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

"Herty Field is a gathering place so it is an ideal location for wireless networking," said Miller. "I think it will be a wonderful resources for the university community."

The system is not designed for use by the general public. The PAWS system will be solely for the use of those with a valid University of Georgia MyID identification and password. (UGA faculty, staff and employees who do not have a MyID identification may acquire one on the web at www.uga.edu/myid.)

The wireless project at Herty Field exists as a result of collaboration between the Franklin College, the Vice President for Instruction, the Law School, the Honors Program and EITS.

Users of the new wireless access point at Herty Field are reminded that, like all UGA computing and network resources, use of the system may be monitored and recorded by system personnel. Such monitoring is done to ensure quality of performance, but any activity that violates University computer use policies or provides evidence of possible abuse or criminal activity could be recorded and reported to appropriate authorities.

"Former Vice President for Instruction Tom Dyer was really instrumental in supporting the wireless plan for Herty Field," said Miller. "He and Dean Wyatt Anderson of the Franklin College were strong supporters of the project from the beginning."

If clients are browsing the web or checking e-mail, Herty should be able to accommodate 30 to 60 simultaneous connections, said Miller. Herty is a managed network, so network usage will not have an impact on the rest of campus.

##