WiFi Coming to SHS

Written by Katie Mayer

By April break, SHS will have several WiFi access points. The installation process, which has already begun, will occur in several stages. Once all the access points are installed, the entire system will go up at once.

WiFi locations will include the commons, auditorium (with limited access), library, little theater, 3rd floor conference room, and rooms 370 and 170 – 172. In total, the school’s WiFi system will consist of 22 access points. By September 2009, the school hopes to have laptops available for students to borrow for use throughout the library.

“We don’t know ahead of time how far the access will extend from each access point,” said Computer Director Barbara Bierbauer. A variety of factors can affect the range of WiFi access, including the thickness of the building’s walls and other interference from wiring throughout the building.

Each WiFi hotspot will have two different types of access: individuals may use computers provided by the district or their own personal computers. Individuals using district machines will have to log into the computer in the same way they would at a hard-wired computer and will be able to access personal folders and print to school printers.

“Regardless of if you’re using your own personal computer or a school computer, you’re going through the school’s filtering system,” said Bierbauer. “If something is blocked on the network, that block still applies.” Therefore, students will follow the same rules and regulations when using WiFi.

Even with the installation in its early stages, students are already seeing its potential. Junior Dong-Ik Lee noted, “I could just go online from my iPod instead of having to wait for a computer.”

The funding for the installation of the WiFi access points is coming from a few different budgets. “This is something that we’ve been planning for many years and it’s good that we’re finally getting started,” said Bierbauer.