BY COLLEEN SHANAHAN
Lions’ Pride Online Assistant Editor

Photograph by Donovan Rummel

Senior Jonathan Bellot expresses his frustration from the lack of wireless connection

Can anyone imagine not being able to check a webpage almost anywhere on the Saint Leo campus? Luckily, this catastrophe is averted by the wireless internet set up by the university.

“Wireless access to the Internet is available in most buildings and classrooms throughout University Campus. Very soon, students will see ‘wireless hot spot’ signs going up in areas where there is wireless access,” said Ellen Sheridan, director of server and network services.

Another aspect of the wireless network that is now running smoothly is the removal of the Impulse network that was implemented last year for security. University users who wished to access the wireless network had to first sign in to the Impulse network. This started causing problems because the network, depending on the time of day and workload, could take upwards of five minutes to connect to a useable wireless connection.

“The Impulse authentication application was removed due to user complaints. There is no similar device in its place. Wireless network security is something that will be addressed in the future,” said Sheridan.

Students and faculty wishing to access wireless internet can find it in, Resident Hall #3, Resident Hall #4, Benoit, Henderson, Snyder and Marmion, which have wireless access points installed on each floor. Resident Hall #1 and Resident Hall #2 have wireless in the common area. The Villa, Alumni, and Roderick do not have any wireless installed.

“The wireless signal strength is not able to penetrate much of the cinderblock buildings that are on campus. Therefore, the signal is sometimes not available unless you are very close to the wireless access point itself,” said Sheridan.

“I have [wireless] all over my apartment, but I have problems connecting [at other points] around campus. However, I do know that other people have problems with connecting to the wireless,” said Stacy Lloyd, a junior who lives in Apartment 4.

Those students living in the Villa, Alumni, and Roderick need to connect to the internet using an Ethernet cord.

Students enjoy the wireless on campus, but connecting often relies on the time of day and where the student is. Overall, though, students are pleased with the connectivity.

“My wireless in my room can be very good sometimes, but sometimes I might not be able to get it at all. However, I do think it is slow most of the time because there are a lot of students that use it on campus. I feel that some parts of school gets good wireless connections, like the library, but a lot of times the wireless connection is not very reliable,” said Lara King, a senior who lives in Apartment 1.

The university, in an attempt to cure the sometimes clogged usage of the wireless, now has allowed the use of personal wireless routers. In previous years, these routers were not allowed. There is a process to allow this now.

“Please see the following URL for details on wireless routers: http://www.saintleo.edu/SaintLeo/Templates/Inner.aspx?pid=3782,” said Sheridan.

While it would be ideal for a completely wireless campus, it wouldn’t be economical.

“Wireless was installed as a convenience for the Saint Leo community, and its availability and performance cannot be guaranteed due to such things as the structural constraints of campus buildings, interference caused by other electronic devices, and the Florida weather. Comprehensive wireless coverage on a campus this size would be very expensive to accomplish,” said Sheridan.

Even with some spots on campus not having wireless, it is easy to scope one out nearby. Students, staff, and faculty can now relax knowing that their internet usage will be almost uninterrupted.

Have no fear students! Facebooking, Myspacing, and surfing can commence almost flawlessly.