IT Services has deployed XpressConnect, an automatic wireless configuration tool that will streamline the installation of SFUNET-SECURE and eduroam. With support for Windows XP/SP3, Vista, Window 7, Apple OS X, Android and iOS, XpressConnect is able to configure nearly all of the devices currently used at the university.

All users in the SFU community are encouraged migrate their devices to SFUNET-SECURE.

SFU Wireless currently supports both 2.4GHz (802.11b/g) and 5GHz (802.11a) operation. The much more desirable 5GHz frequency is currently configured to also support 802.11n up to (theoretically) 300 Mbps. Unfortunately, the electronics market has not fully embraced the slightly more expensive dual band chipsets and thus only about 25% of SFU users are currently able to use 802.11n. But, even though the 2.4GHz frequency is very congested, enabling 802.11n on 2.4GHz not only allows the more prevalent 802.11g/n capable chipsets to connect at a higher speed, but improve actually performance for 802.11g-only users as well. There are still legacy protection mechanisms much like there is with 802.11b (see above) but they work in slightly different ways and the downgrade in speed is much less noticeable. Happily, there is no fallout or loss of service expected from this change.

Therefore, we will be activating 802.11n on the 2.4 GHz band to allow capable wireless adapters to connect with speeds up to 104 Mbps.

802.11b is the original wireless protocol and has been around since 1999. It operates on the 2.4GHz spectrum which is also shared with the 802.11g protocol - the protocol used by about 75% of all wireless users at SFU. Unfortunately, in order to maintain backwards compatibility with 802.11b (11 Mbps), the wireless Access Points must reduce all 802.11g (54 Mbps) connected clients to lower levels when an 802.11b client is "suspected" to be in the area. Also, unfortunately, the legacy-protection algorithm employed doesn't actually have to confirm any 802.11b clients in the area to drop the speed down, just "suspect". At any given time, around 60% of all SFU Wireless APs are in the reduced speed state, greatly affecting the performance many users.

Given that there is nearly no observable 802.11b usage reported in our log files, we will be dropping 802.11b legacy support from SFU Wireless. The workaround for very old 802.11b-only hardware is to obtain a usb adapter of which there are many for under $20.

Apple OSX Lion has just been released by Apple. Unfortunately, Apple has decided to again change the way OSX connects to WPA2-Enterprise networks. Therefore, in order to connect to SFUNET-SECURE or eduroam, you will need to download the new configuration profile. 

Just in time for summer, new outdoor wireless access points have been deployed at the Town Square near Cornerstone and the Blusson Hall/Saywell Hall interior courtyard. Enjoy the sunshine or the solitude of the outdoors and still be connected to the SFU Wireless Network.