Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

iPad Incompatible With Some Campus Wireless Networks

Despite widespread buzz surrounding the iPad, Apple’s latest release, several universities across the nation have reported issues with the new device and campus wireless networks.

Although only a handful of the devices have made their way to college campuses, certain actions by the user may cause a hiccup in the iPad’s dynamic host configuration protocol capability of requesting a new temporary IP address from the network. If the device is unable to request a new temporary IP address, the device will continue to use the old IP address, which has the potential to cause problems for others on the network. To avoid larger network issues, most configured systems block the device after several DHCP malfunctions.

Princeton University was one of the first campuses to identify and report the issue to Apple. Princeton discovered the problem one day after the first iPad connected onto the campus network and has since written a detailed report describing the issue. Princeton has also written a workaround code for users until Apple develops a permanent solution.

The George Washington University’s wireless does not allow iPads to connect to its network according to the GW Hatchet.

Other campuses have not experienced DHCP issues. Cornell University reported no bandwidth problems with the iPad, according to the Cornell Daily Sun.

According to estimates by Chitka.com, over 900,000 Apple iPad devices have been sold in the United States. Universities report that only a small fraction of those units has found its way onto college campuses, however. Princeton reported 42 iPads on its network, while Cornell estimated between 70 to 80 iPads were in use on its campus.

The current number of iPads at Georgetown is unknown, and University Information Services was unavailable to comment. During a Georgetown University Medical Center Department Technology Representatives meeting on March 11, however, according to notes from the March 11 Georgetown University Medical Center and Department Technology Representatives meeting, Dahlgren Library is planning to purchase a small number of Apple iPads for testing.

One Georgetown iPad user, sociology professor Christine Schiwietz, has not experienced any problems with her 32-gigabyte Wi-Fi model.

“If I had to boil it [overall impression] down to one word it would be enjoyable,” Schiwietz said.

“I think the iPad will be an enormous hit involving the communication or collaboration of people – both for personal and professional use,” Schiwietz added. “For example, in giving casual one-on-one type presentations, you can easily pass it around and the presentation becomes animated and alive.”

Patrick Swiber (COL ’13) said his iPad has wireless Internet access everywhere on campus in all campus areas that normally have access. He added that he thinks the product will improve as more apps are introduced.

“It’s going to get better and better with time,” Swiber said.

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