WLAN visiting pilot project starts in the Funet network

21.01.2004

CSC, the Finnish IT center for science, is starting a pilot project to test a WLAN visiting service in the Funet network. The term ’WLAN visiting’ refers to a service through which a guest user can use a wireless local area network connection in his laptop computer when visiting areas that are linked to the service, for example, university campuses.

At the pilot phase, all Funet customer organizations can join the project. Non-Funet-members can also be accepted as test users, subject to CSC's approval. User access during network visits is based on the RADIUS protocol. The purpose of the pilot period is to gain experience on data security in the wireless LAN environment, information on user support needs, and what kind of services users expect from the WLAN network.

The pilot phase is scheduled to be completed in June 2004, and by then a decision will be made whether the actual service will be started. Agreements involved and policy on application are critical issues to be solved prior to application. CSC is preparing them in close cooperation with Funet customer organizations.

Background

CSC, the Finnish IT center for science, is owned by the Ministry of Education. The Funet communication links provide research workers with Finland's widest selection of scientific software and databases and Finland's most powerful supercomputing environment.

Additional information: Juha Oinonen, CSC, the Finnish IT center for science, Funet network services, tel. +358 (0)9 457 3208