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UI Public Wireless for Administrators

CITES > wireless > admin > public wireless

UI Public Wireless is a wireless network service intended for members of the general public, not for members of the University of Illinois.

UI Public Wireless is not a completely full-service wireless network and is not directly equivalent to UIUCnet Wireless. However, UIUCnet Wireless will be offered in all locations that choose to also offer UI Public Wireless.

How UI Public Wireless is different from UIUCnet Wireless

The wireless implementations available to campus departments and units are described in the Wireless Service Implementation Options page.

UI Public Wireless's differences from the standard wireless implementations include:

• Design: UI Public Wireless cannot be requested or installed separately from UIUCnet Wireless. A UIUCnet Wireless installation using Meru access points must be in place in order to make the additional public wireless option possible.
  
  
• Support: UI Public Wireless users can call the CITES Help Desk at (217) 333-9100, a line dedicated to UI Public Wireless troubleshooting.
  
  
• Cost: There is an ongoing network maintenance and support fee of $100 per building per month.
  
  
• SSID: The access points will offer both the "UIpublicWiFi" SSID and the "UIUCnet" SSID.
  
  
• Coverage: Access is provided on a per-building basis. If you choose to offer UI Public Wireless, it will be available in the same areas that UIUCnet Wireless is offered in your building.
  
  
• Time required: Your building must meet the physical requirements (UIUCnet Wireless via Meru access points) and must gain permission from the CIO's office to offer public wireless in your building. (The request for CIO approval will be part of the application process.) Once your building meets the physical requirements and has received approval, UI Public Wireless can be turned on.
  
  
• Other: Survey results will be documented for CITES Network Maintenance. Coverage area specifics are provided to the department.
  
  
• Restrictions:
  • Outside firewall: The UI Public Wireless network space is positioned outside the campus firewalls, so that users of the service will not have access to restricted on-campus resources.
    
    
  • Rate-limited: UI Public Wireless is rate-limited; it is intended for everyday browsing, email, and instant messaging, not for high-bandwidth applications.
    
    
  • Limited ports: UI Public Wireless users are restricted to selected common services and network ports, and cannot send email to the campus mail servers.
    
    
  • Daily expiration: UI Public Wireless is not intended for long-term access. All users are disconnected when the day's leases time out at 2 a.m., and each user will need to resubmit the registration form in order to gain access again. (For guests who will be present for more than a few hours, including weekend and conference visitors, consider creating guest network accounts instead.)

 

Requesting UI Public Wireless coverage for your location

In order to be eligible to offer UI Public Wireless in a location, you must meet the following criteria:

• UIUCnet Wireless must already be installed in your building.
  
  
• Your building must have Meru access points installed in it. (Cisco and other types of access points do not offer the same control as Meru access points.)
  
  
• You must agree to the additional monthly fee for UI Public Wireless.
  
  
• You must request permission to offer public wireless in your location from the CIO's office. (This is covered during the application procedure.)

If you wish to apply for UI Public Wireless coverage in your building, please complete the UI Public Wireless Application Form and the Memorandum of Understanding from the UIUCnet Wireless Forms page. (Forms are available in both Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format.)

UI Public Wireless identification and support materials

End user support provided

UI Public Wireless users can call 217-333-9100 for assistance. This technical support is paid for by a portion of the monthly fee charged for the UI Public Wireless service.

Printable user handout

You can print this handout (PDF) in order to help users get connected to UI Public Wireless in your location.

Printable tabletop design

If your location has tables and chairs, you may wish to print copies of this design and place them in seating areas.

• Printable table tent (PDF)

Signs

You can also print this UI Public Wireless wall sign (PDF) and place it near your UIUCnet Wireless signs, if you have worked with Facilities and Services and your building management to receive approval to post signs on the walls in your location.