Lewis University ,a prominent catholic and Lasallian university located just outside of Chicago ,relies heavily on the internet for enabling its academic and administrative programs .With a growing student body of over 4800 and a more than 150 member faculty , on-demand internet access is critical to the university ‘s effective operations and market competitiveness.

The university‘s faculty and students requested Wi-Fi on campus for accessing web based applications email and the internet, as well as to increase collaboration within the University community. University Management realized that to support increasing user demand for a new Wi-Fi network, an affordable high bandwidth backhaul solution was needed.

Although fiber connectivity exists among campuses buildings, the university leases multiple T1 lines to bring internet access into the campus. These T1 lines are nearing capacity, and would not be sufficient once the Wi-Fi was fully deployed –especially since the University was planning to expand its use of wireless technology for teaching, learning and administration.

The University turned to local Wireless ISP integrated technology providers, Inc (ITP) for help ,ITP designed a new campus wide wireless network using a combination of Proxim Tsunami™ MP.11 5054 –R Broadband Wireless and ORiNOCO® AP-4000 access points .The MP.11 system connects ITP’s tower to University owned tower , and fans out to its five campus buildings to popular campus locations, including the library, campus green, student union, cafeteria and recreation center, which hosts intercollegiate athletic events. While initially designed as an overlay to the University’s existing network, ITP’s design will enable additional Wi-Fi and wireless access into more buildings and all classrooms, to keep up with future needs.

As a result of installing the Proxim wireless network, Lewis University was a able to provide the needed wireless bandwidth to the internet without compromising campus network security, at a savings to the University of over $ 10K annually. Faculty members and students now have convenient, high-speed access that has resulted in significant productivity gains at greatly reduced cost.

“The wireless network has provided numerous benefits for us, including significant productivity gain opportunities and enhanced teaching and learning possibilities for our faculty and students” said John Dalby, Chief Information Technology officer at Lewis University. “Thanks to ITP’s design and the reliability and performance of Proxim’s products, our wireless Internet Nodes (WIN) provide dependable, fast, flexible internet access for the university community and an alternate path to the internet for back-up .The fact that ITP was willing to create and manage an overlay network made it even easier for us .The result have encouraged us to look at expanding the Wi-Fi network to classrooms on campus quicker than planned.“

“After careful evaluation of Lewis University’s existing network and future requirements, it was clear that a wireless multipoint network could offer greater bandwidth and scalability to meet their evolving needs, at a dramatic reduction in their cost” said Frank Lugo Chief Technology officer, ITP.

Know more on ORiNOCO® AP-4000

Know more on Tsunami™ MP.11 Model 5054

“The Proxim products were an easy choice given their reliability and cost-effectiveness, as well as the impressive throughput and eventual WiMAX compatibility of the Tsunami™ MP.11.The success of this deployment has generated significant word-of-mouth interest at other neighboring colleges, which has been very beneficial for both Lewis and for ITP.”

– Frank Lugo Chief Technology officer, ITP.

“The Proxim products were an easy choice given their reliability and cost-effectiveness, as well as the impressive throughput and eventual WiMAX compatibility of the Tsunami™ MP.11.

The success of this deployment has generated significant word-of-mouth interest at other neighboring colleges, which has been very beneficial for both Lewis and for ITP.”

Challenge:

• Enable on campus Wi-Fi to meet increasing needs of growing faculty and student body
• Cost-effectively expand high bandwidth capacity beyond leased T1 lines

Proxim solutions:

• Campus wide wireless network designed by Wireless ISP integrated technology Providers, Inc
• Combined Proxim Tsunami™ MP.11 5054-R broadband wireless system and ORiNOCO® AP-4000 access points
• Backhaul form cross-campus buildings; hot spots at heavily used locations
• Overlays exiting wired network, with capability for expansion

Results:

• Expanded wireless network with uncompromised security
• Cost savings of 10K+ annually
• Productivity gains for faculty and students