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Session 3147

Implementing a Wireless Network Infrastructure to Enhance ET Curriculum

Clay Barbee, Brian Lenahan, Michael Warren, Jay R. Porter, Joseph Morgan Texas A&M University

Abstract

During the summer of 2001, a team of students was brought together to design, install, and test an 802.11b wireless local area network (WLAN). The team was tasked with installing a WLAN in and between two buildings on the Texas A&M main campus that house the Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution Department (ETID). The primary goal of the WLAN installation was to provide an infrastructure that would be used by Engineering Technology students and faculty for educational and research purposes. The Wireless Infrastructure Project (WIP) became a real world classroom/laboratory environment for the team members to learn about wireless communications, networking, and authorization and authentication security and to gain practical experience in project management, technical communications and presentation skills.

Additionally, the Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering Technology Program is developing innovative ways to leverage the new infrastructure that depart from traditional administrative uses. Professors and students are developing coursework that utilize the infrastructure for the monitoring and control of mobile platforms while WIP students are adding new labs that expand the scope of teaching wireless network design and security. Through the WIP initiative, an innovative resource has been created that will add significantly to engineering technology education both in the classroom and the laboratory.

I. Introduction

Computer users have had access to powerful computers with fast Internet connections for sometime now. With the recent increase in speed and power of mobile computers, many users are doing work they normally did in an office, on the go. The only thing lacking in these fast mobile computers is a fast mobile connection. Mobile users now demand connectivity anywhere they go, and they want it to be fast.

At Texas A&M University, the Engineering Technology honor society, Tau Alpha Pi, recognized this need and decided to find a solution. Tau Alpha Pi submitted a proposal to Cisco Systems, Inc. requesting a donation of wireless equipment, including wireless NICs and enough access points (AP) to cover the two main Engineering Technology buildings, Thompson and Fermier Halls. This type of

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright ©2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Porter, J., & Barbee, C., & Lenahan, B., & Warren, M., & Morgan, J. (2002, June), Implementing A Wireless Network Infrastructure To Enhance Et Curriculum Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10574