There are several types of devices that will interfere with Gannon’s wired and wireless network (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz). Therefore, use of these wired and wireless devices are strictly prohibited on campus.
Below is a list of some (but certainly not all) of the devices that are prohibited on campus:
- Wireless access points
- Wireless range extenders
- Ethernet extenders
- Wired or Wireless routers
- Managed or Unmanaged Network Switches
- Any device that provides Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP)
The following devices are not prohibited but if the device interferes with the Gannon wireless system, ITS reserves the right to disable the device. You will be required to disable the wireless broadcasting of the device or remove the device from the network.
- Wireless printers (with exceptions, see below)
- Wireless A/V Sender and Receiver
- Wireless speaker systems
- Wireless video cameras
- 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz cordless phones
- Poorly shielded microwave ovens
Failure to comply with this restriction will result in removal of the device from the campus and subject to possible disciplinary action.
Wireless Printers
Gannon University prohibits all wireless printers in any building on campus (including Resident Halls) if the broadcast function cannot be disabled.
Wireless printers work great at home but they create havoc in an environment with lots of wireless users, by creating interference that affects the connections of those around you. For this reason, we prohibit all use of wireless printers that broadcast their own wireless signal, often referred to as their SSID.
- If the broadcast is able to be disabled then you can continue to use your wireless printer wirelessly.
- If the broadcast cannot be disabled, then the wireless function needs to be disabled and you will need to connect with a USB cable.
- If the broadcast cannot be disabled and the wireless cannot be disabled, then the printer will not be allowed to be used in any building on campus (including Resident Halls), even with a USB cable.
Why is this policy in effect?
The problem is akin to trying to speak to someone at the other end of a room full of people in which everyone else in the room is also trying to have their own private conversations. It is much easier to get your message across to the person at the other end of the room if no-one else is talking, Similarly, wireless devices that are not part of the Gannon network produce radio frequency noise that every other wireless device in the area must "talk over" in order to be "heard" by the Gannon University wireless network. This is why wireless printers that broadcast are banned. Home or consumer networking gear is designed for home use, in which only a few devices are connecting at any one time. This equipment is not intended for use on a college network in which there are hundreds of devices using the network at any time.
We ask that you understand the impact of interfering with the network connections on campus.
If there is any question whether a device conflicts with Gannon’s wireless network, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 871-7501.