March 2004 — Applications
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The University of Memphis Upgrades Its Technology to Prepare for the Future
Beyond student and staff mobility, the university uses the Avaya Wireless LAN to link video cameras across campus and provide surveillance of the university's public areas. This feature allows security officials to monitor activity no matter where they may be on campus - even from inside their cars.
Remaining a Technology Leader
Our Avaya Wireless LAN Solution also saved the university considerable time and money by leaving campus facilities intact. With Avaya technology, there was no need to alter any of the university's historic buildings to install cable wiring, because each wireless access point can reach up to 300 feet per indoor zone, which offers users a wide range of access campuswide.
The Avaya solution also provides robust security using the 802.1x standard along with per-user, per-session encryption keys that protect the university's network resources. In addition, Avaya was able to provide a complete one-stop shopping solution by teaming with Avaya business partner Magowan Communications to install our wireless units.
The University of Memphis prides itself on being a technology leader from ubiquitous wireless services to state-of-the-art computing facilities, which include more than 1,200 PC and Mac workstations in campus labs, as well as 56 "smart" classrooms incorporating the latest in e-learning services.
Another recent advancement enabled by wireless is the university's new FedEx Institute of Technology (http://fedex.memphis.edu), which opened in November. The institute, a joint collaboration between the university, FedEx and other leading corporations, aims to be the center for technological innovation in the mid-South. As such, the institute conducts first-rate interdisciplinary research focused on preparing students for employment in today's rapidly changing world of the Internet and information technologies.
Our Avaya Wireless LAN Solution supports the institute's cyber cafe (http://fedex.memphis.edu/inside/cafe.html), as well as its virtual reality chamber and other meeting/presentation spaces (http://fedex.memphis.edu/inside/meeting_spaces.html). The institute features 10 research centers that are geared for studies ranging from medical breakthroughs in cancer and alcoholism to cyber security.
On a final note, The University of Memphis is the designated Internet2 gigaPoP (gigabit point-of-presence) site for Tennessee. As such, the university sponsors connections to the Internet2 network (www.internet2.edu) to serve other research institutions, schools and hospitals statewide. The goal of Internet2 is to support a research network with 100 times more bandwidth than typical Internet sites, as well as to enable new infrastructure technologies and applications. From Internet2 support for high-speed research and applications to state-of-the-art Avaya Wireless LAN access around campus, the university truly demonstrates technology leadership.
- Mark Reavis
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