SUNY Potdam

Computing and Technology Services (CTS) has assumed primary responsibility  for the design, installation, and operation of the wireless data network  environment on the SUNY Potsdam Campus. This system will allow campus users  to access all campus information technology resources from mobile or  portable computers. However, in order to achieve a robust and stable  wireless infrastructure and prevent unintended interference to FCC licensed  services, CTS must maintain administrative control of the radio frequency  spectrum that wireless devices utilize as their base transport mechanism.  These are frequencies in the 2.4, 3.6, and 5 Ghz bands.

802.11b wireless local area networking uses the FCC unlicensed 2.4 GHz  Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) band. 802.11a wireless uses the FCC  unlicensed 5 GHz unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII)  band. Additionally, the FCC has recently de-licensed the 3.6 GHz band for  similar use. Certain other "wireless" devices exist in the market place that  also employ the same 2.4, 3.6, or 5 GHz frequency band and can cause  interference to users of the wireless service. These devices include, but  are not limited to other wireless LAN devices, cordless telephones, cameras,  and audio speakers.

In order to assure the highest level of service to the users of wireless  network, CTS needs help from all members of the campus community in  minimizing the potential interference from those devices. CTS requests that  use of all other 2.4, 3.6, and 5 GHz devices be discontinued in  university-owned buildings. In cases where the device is being used for a  specific teaching or research application, CTS requests that the college,  department, researcher or faculty member work with CTS to determine the  priority and whether there are circumstances under which use of the device  may still be accommodated without causing interference to the installed  wireless community. Through channel frequency coordination with CTS, it is  possible that most devices operating in the same frequency ranges can be  accommodated on campus in fixed locations. Where interference issues cannot  be resolved working with CTS, the College Administration will determine the  priority. CTS's role is to assist those involved by providing the options  available for resolution of the interference issues in such cases.

CTS will approach the shared use of the 2.4, 3.6, and 5 GHz radio frequency  in the same way that it manages the shared use of the wired network. While  it will not actively monitor use of the airspace for potential interfering  devices, we will seek out the user of a specific device should we find it  causing harmful interference to the campus network or other FCC licensed  service. In these cases, CTS reserves the right to restrict the use of all  FCC licensed Part 15 ISM and U-NII devices in university-owned buildings and  all outdoor spaces on the Potsdam Campus. See the campus computing policies,  including those related to responsible use of shared resources, such as the  campus airspace, for more details.

If you think you have an existing system that may use 2.4, 3.6, or 5 GHz  radios for transmission or you are planning to purchase a wireless system  and you are uncertain if it employs such radios, please contact the CTS  HelpDesk at x2083 or send E-mail to helpdesk@potsdam.edu. CTS can assist in  determining if such devices will cause interference to the wireless network.