Raising the bars

Wireless internet connection issues are common on the Southern University campus, but students need not worry much longer. According to Director of Infrastructure and Network Operations Lloyd Allen, a more solid connection is on its way.
The current Wi-Fi provider for the campus is Louisiana Optical Network Initiative, who also provides internet throughout the state. Specifically for buildings on the SU campus, access points are installed to allow students wireless connection. However, these individual access points can only support an estimated 25 devices at a time, before becoming overwhelmed.
“We do have Wi-Fi, however, we don’t have enough.” Allen stated.
With few access points, the average student owning more than one device with internet capabilities, and the almost complete conversion of education to online, coupled with an unstable connection on campus, Allen understands the complaints the student body has been having. He also has a few answers.
“In Boley Hall, there are cinderblock walls, which make it difficult for the connection to travel far,” explained Allen. He also added that when a student is using more than one device, especially for streaming videos on Netflix or YouTube, it draws even more signal away from others.
“The apartments, right now, the access points are located outside the different rooms,” said Allen. “Hopefully by the month, we’ll have replaced those with new ones.”
Another issue Allen cleared up was the sudden loss of internet connection that the campus has experienced in the past.
“In the fall, we had some really serious issues with the wireless network being down,” said Allen. “The old wireless access system required a controller to work. If you cut the controller off, no wireless access for anyone.” The department purchased two controllers, in the case of one failing, but the process of connecting the both of them inadvertently caused a malfunction.
The fairly new requirement to log in to the internet before usage is for security purposes, Allen explained.
“We want SUBR students to use SUBR resources.” Allen stated.
The university has recently purchased access points that will emit stronger connections, and even have the capability to be installed outdoors. Consideration is taking place to install these in the residential area and the Union courtyard.
The new access points are higher quality than the others.
“With the old system, whenever we would need to do a firmware update, the entire system would shut down,” Allen explained. “With this new one, it’s intelligent enough to maintain connection until another access point can pick up its connection.”
Individual access points can cost upwards of 450 dollars, the ones most recently purchased costing approximately 800 dollars. Allen finds the cost justifiable.
“For the wireless to go down like that, is unacceptable,” stated Allen. “Those incidents prompted me to look elsewhere.” Allen finished.
The department is currently looking into finding another internet service provider, in order to maintain a connection in case the current one fouls again. Allen hopes to have the already purchased access points installed within the next few weeks, and order another shipment to complete the overall installation. He also hopes to have the second Wi-Fi subscription purchased and running in the upcoming months.
If any students are currently experiencing issues connecting to the Wi-Fi, they are encouraged to visit James Blaine Moore Hall to report it and have it resolved.