Airspace Guideline for 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency
Purpose
Computing Services' wireless network allows access to all computing facilities from mobile or portable computer users. Potential problems can result when other devices use the same radio frequency. Wireless users must have a clear understanding of technologies that are permitted or banned from our wireless environment.
The Carnegie Mellon Computing Policy establishes a general policy for the use of computing, telephone and information resources. This guideline's purpose is to establish acceptable practices that support the policy as it applies to Computing Services Airspace usage.
This guideline was established to ensure that the Carnegie Mellon community has a clear understanding of proper procedure and usage. Computing Services reserves the right to modify this guideline as necessary. Any changes to this guideline will be posted to official.computing-news and will be reflected on this web page.
Applies to
This guideline applies to all campus affiliates. This includes students, faculty and staff members as well as guest account holders.
Definition/Clairification
Wireless LAN Specifications: The Wireless Andrew network uses the FCC unlicensed 2.4 GHz Industrial/Scientific/ Medical (ISM) band. Wireless Andrew transmissions within that band conform to the IEEE 802.11 DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) wireless LAN specification. Certain other "wireless" devices exist in the market place that also employ the same 2.4 GHz frequency band and can cause interference to users of the Wireless Andrew service. These devices include, but are not limited to other IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN devices, cordless telephones, cameras, and audio speakers.
Apple AirPort: AirPort is a family of products from Apple Computer, Inc. that offers wireless networking capabilities for Macintosh computers. It includes two hardware products along with the software necessary to use them.
Apple Airport Card: A wireless ethernet card that allows your AirPort-capable Macintosh to communicate with other wireless equipped computers and base stations via radio waves, at distances of up to 150 feet. The use of properly configured Apple AirPort Cards is permitted on campus as well as other wireless cards that meet the IEEE standard.
Apple AirPort Base Station: A device that plugs into an existing "wired" connection and allows computers with wireless cards to access the wired network.
Guideline Statement
In order to assure the highest level of service to the users of the Wireless Andrew network, Computing Services needs help from all members of the campus community in minimizing the potential interference from those devices. Computing Services requests that use of all other 2.4 GHz devices be discontinued in university-owned buildings. In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, Computing Services will work with faculty to determine whether there are circumstances under which use of the device may still be accommodated without causing interference to Wireless Andrew users.
Computing Services will approach the shared use of the 2.4 GHz radio frequency in the same way that it manages the shared use of the wired network. While we will not actively monitor use of the airspace for potential interfering devices, we will seek out the user of a specific device if we find that it is actually causing interference and disrupting the campus network. In these cases, Computing Services reserves the right to restrict the use of all 2.4 GHz radio devices in university-owned buildings and all outdoor spaces on the Carnegie Mellon Campus. See the Carnegie Mellon Computing Policy for information on the campus computing policies, including those related to responsible use of shared resources, such as the 2.4 GHz radio frequency in this case.
User Responsibilities and Procedures
This ban INCLUDES any wireless equipped Macintosh configured to act as an Airport Software Base Station. Apple AirPort Base Stations may be used by off campus DSL and modem users.
If you think you have an existing system that may use 2.4 GHz radios for transmission or you are planning to purchase a wireless system and you are uncertain if it employs 2.4 GHz radios, please contact the Help Center (contact information included below) to determine if such devices will cause interference to the Wireless Andrew system.
Users are responsible for adhering to the Airspace Guidelines and the Carnegie Mellon Computing Policy. Computing Services requests that all affiliates refrain from using all 2.4 GHz devices in university-owned buildings. In cases where the device is being used for a specific teaching or research application, Computing Services will work with faculty to determine whether there are circumstances under which use of the device may still be accommodated without causing interference to Wireless Andrew users.
If faculty has a need to use one of these devices for instruction, they should contact Computing Services Help Center (contact information included below) to discuss an arrangement.
Revision History
Last Updated: October 10, 2005
Established: June 13, 2003
