The Racquette

Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: College Life

Throughout the semester, students have experienced problems, such as delayed logins and failed connections to the new residential wireless. Computing & Technology Services and Time Warner Cable are working to solve identified problems.

Time Warner Cable plans to fix problems of insufficient wireless coverage in Bowman West, Bowman East, Knowles North and Townhouse-F this month.

Time Warner installed the residential wireless network this past summer, but students are still experiencing problems. According to Andy Harradine, assistant vice president for information technology at Computing and Technology Services, Time Warner has recently made adjustments and solved some coverage problems, but problems still exist.

"We know of three areas for certain that still have inadequate coverage post repositioning [Wireless Access Points] and changing out antennas," Harradine said.

A network engineer from Time Warner determined that the campus needs at least three additional radios for Bowman West, Bowman East and Knowles North and a wireless bridge extender in Townhouse-F.

Time Warner recently moved a radio from Van Housen to the blue light phone in front of Lehman South, but coverage for Bowman West is still insufficient.

"[Time Warner] is going to install an additional radio on a free standing pole. We (SUNY Potsdam) have to put the pole up which includes trenching, running electrical wire, welding and concrete work and then TW will supply, hang, configure, and aim that radio directly at Bowman West," Harradine said.

The coverage problem should be solved once the pole is in place.

Bowman East has the same problem as Bowman West, but instead of putting up a pole, Time Warner will hang a radio on the corner of Draime Extension with assistance from Physical Plant. Harradine said on Nov. 13 that this would happen the following week.

An area of Knowles North has been experiencing insufficient coverage. Time Warner will hang an internal radio to provide better coverage when it fixes coverage in Bowman East. Time Warner will also replace a wireless bridge extender for Townhouse-F.

According to Harradine, previous login delay problems appear to be resolved.

After the aforementioned installations are made and coverage for student rooms is resurveyed, Harradine plans to meet with Josh McLear, operations coordinator of Residence Life, to solicit student input. "I plan on meeting with Josh McLear to solicit the RA's assistance to query their students to make sure all is resolved and that we haven't missed anything."

Harradine will provide McLear with a form for Residence Assistants to pass on to residents. Students will be able to provide feedback about any issues that may still exist after Time Warner has addressed the aforementioned problems.

"We appreciate everyone's patience and are committed to covering every dorm room with WiFi" Harradine said.

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