LBIS test-runs internet access program for three dorms

Library and Information Services (LBIS) launched a pilot program that allows students to access the internet from residence halls using the same authentication method as in the library and academic buildings. The pilot program was launched on Tuesday, Nov. 18 in Hanna Hall, Watson Hall and the Aclands Apartments as a test run before it is applied to the whole campus.

The goal of the new program is to standardize the network experience across campus, according to LBIS Interim Vice President Ron Griggs. Under the program, students can log into their computers at home via the BlueSocket Login page used on computers in the library or other academic buildings, rather than through the Clean Access Agent software which must be installed on students' personal computers.

"We had been getting student input that they don't like the burden of having to install the required Clean Access Agent," said Paul Mollard, associate director for public computing.

The program should enable better internet access for 64-bit Windows computers, which do not have full access to the Kenyon network under the current system, according to Griggs.

LBIS plans to send out a survey the first week in December to gauge students' reactions to the new access program. If the pilot program succeeds, according to Griggs, it will be expanded to all residence halls by the beginning of spring semester.

"We selected Hanna, Watson and Acland Apartments because they are the furthest away from other campus buildings that are sending out signals that use the current system," Mollard said. "It will mitigate cross-talk while both systems are still in use."

Residents of the buildings affected by the pilot program have noticed little change in their internet connection besides the different login page.

"I had no problems with it before," said Lauren Rose '11, a resident of Hanna Hall. "But if it makes a safer connection, I'm for it."

"I think it's quicker," said Arjav Ezekiel '10, another Hanna resident. "It seems to be quicker with YouTube, so far."

Some students, however, will be glad to see Clean Access Agent go.

"It was a pain to deal with [Clean Access Agent] every time," Ezekiel said.

"I hate Clean Access Agent," Maia Raber '09 said. "It is annoying that it makes me update the system so frequently."

Students are also concerned that some programs that worked under Clean Access will not be compatible with the BlueSocket system. Gilad Barlev '09, who has worked for the LBIS Helpline and has been a member of the Student Network Access Program (SNAP) team since 2006, said that these programs may include Skype, Remote Desktop and File Transfer Protocol (FTP), a network protocol used to transfer files between computers.

On its pilot project web site, however, the SNAP team states that students should not encounter problems accessing Skype accounts under the new access system. LBIS web site also stated that devices without internet access can be added to the approved list of programs through Helpline.

"All these problems with permissions and connectivity will be resolved," Barlev said. "The staff at LBIS are perfectly reasonable people who will listen to-and act on-student concerns. For example, when I got my iPod Touch last year, I couldn't use the Mail application because IMAP [email-specific traffic] was blocked on the academic wireless [network]. I talked to some people in LBIS about it, and they changed the rule. It is not LBIS' goal to limit what students do."

Barlev said he believes replacing Clean Access Agent will benefit the College network in the long run. "The Clean Access application that Windows users are required to put on their computers is a buggy program, and it's always been so," he said. "I would say 50 percent of the issues Helpline deals with regarding students regard issues involving Clean Access, although that number has gone down since more and more incoming [first years] are coming in with Macs."

The LBIS survey evaluating the pilot access program will be sent out after Thanksgiving break. Students can voice any concerns with the new system before it is expanded across campus.