Wireless Policies

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Wireless Policies (Draft 08/8/2000)

Intent
The expected proliferation of wireless communications products in the next
few years and the resulting likelyhood of interference between devices and
services using wireless make it essential that wireless activities on the
UCSD campus be coordinated. This is particularly important in public open
access areas where several campus activities may have an interest in a
similar wireless service.

This document sets out policies and procedures to provide that coordination.
It also describes a cooperative pilot project that will encourage an
organized approach to uniform 802.11b wireless data networking in general
access and departmental areas.

The document is presently in a rather odd outline format with textual
explanations embedded. This will be converted to a more straightforward text
document in the final form. The document also contains references to and
extractions from notes from other institutions that have been used to
formulate the UCSD policy. These will be removed as the UCSD policy is
finalized.
Key points

Wireless base stations must be registered and coordinated throughACTNO

Probably all wireless equipment will be required to register

Any conflict between wireless devices will be resolved in favor of general
access

A cooperatiive effort to eliminate interference

ACT/NO creating a subsidized 802.11b, 11 Mbps. general access network in
certain public areas

Departments are expected to create additional segments attached to general
access network

Departments encouraged to use general access control mechanisms to allow
general roaming

General Access network is IP only

Addresses assigned via DHCP

Departmental segments run necessary protocols for business.

Pilot project question

Access control to general access network via network username/password
through SSL web browser

Passwordless access for known individual user devices or

UC X.509 certificates if available through UC implementation

Data security and access control are responsibility of the application
rather than the less general network card

There may be a VPN endpoint on campus to assist in data security

Consistent addressing and free mobility only within a building complex

Movement between building complexes will break software that creates long
term connections

The policies

Wireless equipment and users must follow general communications policies.
Wireless services are subject to the same rules and policies that govern
other communications services at UCSD. See in particular the following:
PPM sections on

Security

Responsibility

ACS use policy

Abuse or interference with other activities is a violation
Interference or disruption of other authorized communications or
unauthorized interception of other traffic is a violation of policy.
Radio interference
In addition, because of its dependence on a scarce shared resource, radio
communication is subject to additional rules concerning interference and
shared use.
Equipment must meet all applicable rules of regulatory agencies

FCC.

PUC

Equipment must be installed so as to minimize interference with other RF
activities particularly as described below.

Reporting: ALL wireless equipment (of greater than X power) must be
registered with ACTNO
The limited radio spectrum available, particularly in unlicensed
frequencies, and the resulting likelyhood of interference between uses
requires that ALL radio frequency equipment used on campus must be
registered in a central database so that the campus community can track the
use of radio spectrum.
Covered technolgies
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