toggle

AAPL Stock: 562.29 ( -3.03 )

MacNN News

Universities reject iPad due to Wi-Fi issues, security

updated 05:45 pm EDT, Fri April 16, 2010

Three top schools find problems with Apple tablet

George Washington University has joined Princeton in opposition to Apple's iPad on campus, as both schools have experienced compatibility issues with existing Wi-Fi systems, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Cornell University also claims that it has experienced connectivity problems, while also expressing a concern for bandwidth overload.

George Washington University has found that its wireless network utilizes security features that are not compatible with the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. School officials claim it could take until next spring before the devices are fully supported.

Aside from connectivity issues, Cornell's IT director, Steve Schuster, fears that students attempting to use iPads could have "devastating consequences" on the school's entire network. Cornell is also working to resolve the problem, although a time-frame has yet to be announced.

Apple spokeswoman Teresa Brewer denied having any knowledge of the problems. Princeton claims that it notified the company of technical issues, however.

While several schools are having problems integrating the iPad, other schools are embracing Apple's latest gadget. Seton Hill University recently promised free iPads for every student arriving in the fall, as part of the school's technology program. The devices will be used for reading digital textbooks, communication, file sharing, note taking, and other tasks.

by MacNN Staff

(26)

TAGS :

Apple, iPad

Share the Article

Facebook Twitter Delious Slash Dot Digg

toggle

Comments

DiabloConQueso
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2008

+3

04/16, 06:00pm | report spam | close Reply |
MORE bandwidth than a normal computer?

I was not aware that the iPad consumed significantly more bandwidth than any other computer-like device (including laptops).

TCP packets are TCP packets -- they're not any bigger coming from an iPad than they are coming from any other smartphone or wireless-enabled laptop computer.

I can understand the connectivity problems, though -- my iPad exhibits the frequent dropped connections, even when using an Apple-branded AirPort Extreme.

Still not understanding why the iPad would generate tons more traffic than any other wireless device, though.

eldarkus
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2004

+4

04/16, 06:40pm | report spam | close Reply |
Bandwidth

A concern for bandwidth is BS. I totally agree with Diablo. There is no difference between traffic on a laptop, iPhone or iPad

Mr. Strat
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2002

+4

04/16, 07:29pm | report spam | close Reply |
No restrictions on this campus

I work for a private university, and we allow all electronic devices as long as they're registered in our system. I know of one professor with an iPad, and our Associate Provost has his 3G model on order. They're even talking about a test program this fall using iPads to teach with and for the students to use as electronic readers instead of textbooks.

stormj
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2010

+1

04/16, 08:25pm | report spam | close Reply |
We've seen this before

Remember when Duke blamed the iPad? I worked in university IT and no one is lazier because the students aren't their bosses, so they can just do nothing. My college didn't support Windows 95 until 1997, just by way of example. All four universities I attended were similarly slow.

I mean, is the contention here that some places are seriously not going to support the iPad eventually? Please.

stormj
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2010

0

04/16, 08:25pm | report spam | close Reply |
Correction

When Duke blamed the iPhone.
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/wireless/?p=112

LeeL
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2010

-1

04/16, 09:23pm | report spam | close Reply |
This doesn't make sense

How can these Universities say that the iPhone is not compatible with their wireless network. This doesn't pass the smell test because the iPhone has been out for what 4 years ?? and they are just now finding out there is a problem.

Something is wrong with this picture and either the article is wrong or the IT department is totally clueless.

LeeL
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2010

0

04/16, 09:31pm | report spam | close Reply |
Cornell has their own iPhone App !

What makes this even more unbelievable is that Cornell University has their OWN iPhone app, so this definitely doesn't smell right.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cu-library/id354721654?mt=8

JeffHarris
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 1999

-2

04/16, 11:06pm | report spam | (1 reply) close Reply |
When Fearmongers are Afraid

Simple tech strikes fear into IT dorks who rule by creating FEAR of technology. For IT, Job Security is their JOB #1.

Apple, the Mac, the iPhone and now the iPad strike fear in the hearts of IT people who rule by creating fear of the same technologies their jobs require them to support. With a new user base growing used to the relative simplicity, ease of use and lower support costs of ALL things from Apple, these characters see their little bit of power over a pointles ly arcane world ruled by Microsoft slowly slip away.

Of COURSE they and their handlers will spread massive amounts of FUD about the iPad in an attempt to keep contol over their nasty little worlds.

Didn't they learn anything from their pointless battle against the iPod, then the iPhone juggernaughts?

With the demise of film strip and 16mm film projectors, Microsoft gave people like this a reason to live and a way to make a living. What on Earth will people like this DO without insecure, complex and unstable tech to justify their existences?!?!?!?

Irrelevance is bearing down on them like an oncoming freight train.

Foe Hammer
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2005

0

04/17, 09:24am | report spam | close Reply |
Not The Best Source

IT folks from universities like Cornhell, GWU, and good old PU are not the best source for information or action about the integration of new technologies on campus as others here have said. Cornhell especially seems to spawn overly pompous, empire-building blow-hard IT types.

Whereas IT used to be able to control what technology was rolled out to the campus world, it's now the campus world telling IT what they're going to use. And the more IT tries to exert control, the more complaints and dissatisfaction there will be.

School officials claim it could take until next spring before the devices are fully supported.

Oh so you *DO* know how to support these devices ... you just weren't ready to. Even with a few month's notice.

legacyb4
Mac Elite

Joined: May 2001

-1

04/17, 11:30am | report spam | (2 replies) close Reply |
Curious to know...

What exactly is this "security issue" that GWU is afraid of?

"George Washington University has found that its wireless network utilizes security features that are not compatible with the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch"

facebook_Derek
Via Facebook

Joined: Apr 2010

+1

04/17, 11:50am | report spam | close Reply |
Not so fast...

Most of you are talking out of your asses on this. I suspect most here have little to no actual experience setting up WIFI on large scales with multiple clients (over 20,000) that roam from access point to access point and security profiles that would make your head spin. Most IT folks in corporations do not handle the day to day load that universities do.

Sure, you have setup a router at home, and maybe at work too. Congrats. But in general large university IT network designers are top notch and know what they h*** they are doing. In fact, at UT Austin, since there is so much usage that comes in waves, the networking folks there have actually discovered flaws in at least one Cisco access point configuration. Cisco has used UT Austin to test revisions to the hardware.

So, before you automatically hug Apple's leg and defend them, realize there may very well be a complex issue in the way the iPad software/hardware connects, obtains addressing, roams, disconnects and repeats. Hence the silence thus far from Apple. They are likely investigating this furiously, while most of you talk out of your a**.

Fast iBook
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2003

-2

04/17, 11:55am | report spam | close Reply |
Never liked princeton much...

Prefer rutgers, much more down to earth school.

- A

Foe Hammer
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2005

+2

04/17, 04:00pm | report spam | (2 replies) close Reply |
Fast Enough

But in general large university IT network designers are top notch and know what they h*** they are doing.

But maybe not in every large university in specific. Having worked in IT in several of them, it truly runs the entire gamut.

So, before you automatically hug Apple's leg and defend them, realize there may very well be a complex issue in the way the iPad software/hardware connects, obtains addressing, roams, disconnects and repeats. Hence the silence thus far from Apple.

So you're saying Apple is silent thus far since they've probably mucked with the way the iPad software/hardware connects, obtains addressing, roams, disconnects and repeats - and they didn't bother to tell anyone or test these new changes anywhere it might possibly be an issue because they were hoping no one would notice particularly with the initial iPad launch? Perhaps. But not the way to bet.

If network demand is increasing and your network (massive or small) can't handle the load, it's time to increase capacity and/or reconfigure and/or rethink the design and/or admit that you can't (at least currently) handle the load - not automatically blame the latest device being brought in as if it were certainly flawed. If I plug my Droid into an electrical outlet in my dorm room and it always blows the breaker but I have no problems charging it anywhere else, it must be the Droid's fault so we should ban all Droids from campus. Yeah, right.

dimmer
Mac Enthusiast

Joined: Feb 2006

-1

04/17, 05:17pm | report spam | close Reply |
Cisco

"In fact, at UT Austin, since there is so much usage that comes in waves, the networking folks there have actually discovered flaws in at least one Cisco access point configuration."

I don't think your example holds water (to extend your wave metaphor). "Actually discovered flaws" in Cisco products? No! Not Cisco! Never possible! Cisco sell the worst, most fault-filled c*** imaginable (Apple had to take their DMZ down every time an ACL update was posted: you may not have noticed it as we did the operation at 3:00am).

WiFi is not hard to do, if you do it right. Sadly most IT types who have migrated into networking couldn't route a packet out of a wet paper bag if their lives depended upon it.

fubar_this
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2006

+1

04/18, 04:01pm | report spam | close Reply |
Acknowledged WiFi problems w/iPad

Many people have had problems with their WiFi and the iPad. Google "iPad WiFi" and the first 20 results are all about the problems, and APPLE'S ACKNOWEDLGEMENT of said problems. U

niversities, just like large IT organizations, have to deal with novice users who will just call IT when their iPad can't do something. But unlike large companies, they can't explicitly stop you from using those devices. A lot of companies won't let you use the iPad on corporate networks because it's not approved yet, but campus IT organizations don't have such luxury.

Also, as pointed out above, iPhone OS lacks support for 802.1X. This is widely used by large organizations and universities. My alma mater, a Big 10 school, used it for every wireless connection. Mac OS X support for it was pretty lame until recently, and the iPhone OS support is pretty much non-existant. Remember, iPad == iPhone OS == limited feature set. Use a netbook/notebook if you need something like 802.1X or different VPNs.

wrenchy
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2009

-2

04/18, 04:21pm | report spam | close Reply |
iPad Sucks

One big fat hairy bucket of iFAIL.

Just another fad that will pass like a f*** in the wind.

JulesLt
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2005

+2

04/19, 06:17am | report spam | close Reply |
Networks

The comments from Princeton suggest a problem where the iPad doesn't correctly release/refresh it's DHCP lease if the screen has been locked while the lease expired.

In a network that recycles DHCP leases, that can cause problems with two machines thinking they have the same IP address.

Given that University networks have to deal with potentially thousands of unique machines connecting and disconnecting each day, I can see why that's an issue.

It's definitely a bug on Apple's side, not a network problem. It may even be restricted to certain types of network.

I guess the secondary issue, is that they will be geared up for a model where machines are disconnecting quite regularly (i.e. as laptops are being moved) rather than one where you might have hundreds of devices that are more-or-less permanently connected all day.

Roaming wireless networking isn't easy (we've still not got it working at work).

testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

04/19, 03:09pm | report spam | close Reply |
Too bad

It just is too bad these universities keep hiring the same idiots, when it is obvious that people on the MacNN boards could do the job in a half an hour and have no problems whatsoever.

And all that without anyone here even knowing how these systems are all set up. Or what the problem is, for we know there is no problem. All IT depts. do is sit in their offices, wait for Apple to release a new device, and then tell everyone that it won't work. In fact, I remember taking that Course in college. Senior level class. "MIS 426: How to piss off Apple users". 4 credits too.

That being said, a couple of comments:

School officials claim it could take until next spring before the devices are fully supported.

Oh so you *DO* know how to support these devices ... you just weren't ready to. Even with a few month's notice.

How bad is this comment?

First, how exactly is having 'two months notice' supposed to help? Was Apple just handing out iPads to anyone who asked because they need check for issues? No, I didn't think so.

Second, they said "Next Spring". So it would take up to a year to be fully supported. And yet you think that two months would magically mean it would be working now? Wouldn't simple math then make that read "Next Winter"?

And do you think the only job a University's IT department has is to sit around making sure every new Apple god-device that is released works? Just drop everything when the iPad is released, say, to make sure that works. Who cares about file servers, backup systems, web systems, etc, etc, etc. We need wifi access for our new toys!

What exactly is this "security issue" that GWU is afraid of?

Did you even bother to read the quote you copied? GW doesn't have a 'security issue' that they are afraid of. What they said was that their network utilized security features that aren't compatible. For example, if you need a CAC card to access the network, you wouldn't be able to connect, would you? Or perhaps they are using some security (say 40-bit WEP or some lame thing like that) which Apple doesn't support with their wifi drivers.

testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

04/19, 03:14pm | report spam | close Reply |
Re: Fast enough

So you're saying Apple is silent thus far since they've probably mucked with the way the iPad software/hardware connects, obtains addressing, roams, disconnects and repeats - and they didn't bother to tell anyone or test these new changes anywhere it might possibly be an issue because they were hoping no one would notice particularly with the initial iPad launch? Perhaps. But not the way to bet.

No one said Apple knew of the problems before the iPad was released.

But Apple has a history and a long-standing rule: Don't comment on a damn thing. You can probably count on the hand of an aged lumberjack the number of times Apple actually comes forward with information that something isn't working before others discover it. And after it has been discovered? It is rare for Apple to actually admit or even comment on an issue before they've fixed it.

In fact, I would say the only comment you'll ever see from Apple on the issue is in the iPad OS Update 1, which might have a line that reads "Addresses DHCP leasing issues". If you get that much and not just "Improves performance and stability".

MacButton
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 2010

-1

04/19, 10:00pm | report spam | close Reply |
Cornell University iPad users

Since the iPad was released just about two weeks ago, at least 68 iPads have been registered on the Cornell University wireless network. There are no known problems connecting and using the device on the university wireless network. Configuration is easy through our customized wireless connection profile for members of the Cornell University community,

http://www.cit.cornell.edu/services/redrover/howto/setup/rrssetupiphone.cfm

We welcome and look forward many more iPad users and sell the device at our campus book store.

Show More Comments

Login Here

toggle

Network Headlines

05/26	Apple updates iOS 5.1.1 release for...
05/25	Sotheby to auction Jobs Atari memo,...
05/25	Apple hiring new chip engineers for...
05/25	Third-gen iPad coming to Philippines...
05/25	Apple to integrate Baidu search into...

Show All

05/25	Sotheby to auction Jobs Atari memo,...
05/25	Apple to integrate Baidu search into...
05/25	Google picks up webOS Enyo team, Open...
05/24	Apple submits surprise optical stylus...
05/24	Yahoo releases Axis 'visual search'...

Show All

05/25	Sotheby to auction Jobs Atari memo,...
05/23	Google launches redesigned Search app...
05/22	Leaked next-gen iPod touch part hints...
05/22	Hulu Plus updates with iPad Retina...
05/22	TiVo Stream to push TV to iPhones,...

Show All

03/02	Save $330 on refurb. 15.4-inch, 2.4GHz...
03/01	Pre-owned 8GB iPod touch 2G, drops...
02/29	$150 off Nikon Coolpix S80 Compact...
02/28	Plantronics BackBeat 903 Bluetooth...
02/27	Refurb. Seagate 1.5TB GoFlex Portable...

Show All

toggle

Universities reject iPad due to Wi-Fi issues, security

updated 05:45 pm EDT, Fri April 16, 2010

Three top schools find problems with Apple tablet

MORE bandwidth than a normal computer?

Bandwidth

No restrictions on this campus

We've seen this before

Correction

This doesn't make sense

Cornell has their own iPhone App !

When Fearmongers are Afraid

Not The Best Source

Curious to know...

Not so fast...

Never liked princeton much...

Fast Enough

Cisco

Acknowledged WiFi problems w/iPad

iPad Sucks

Networks

Too bad

Re: Fast enough

Cornell University iPad users

Login Here

Register for our weekly email newsletter:

Connect tools:

Subscribe

to our RSS

Follow us

on Twitter

10 Most Read

10 Most Discussed

MacNN Marketplace

Universities reject iPad due to Wi-Fi issues, security

updated 05:45 pm EDT, Fri April 16, 2010

Three top schools find problems with Apple tablet

Related Articles

Recent Articles

MORE bandwidth than a normal computer?

Bandwidth

No restrictions on this campus

We've seen this before

Correction

This doesn't make sense

Cornell has their own iPhone App !

When Fearmongers are Afraid

Not The Best Source

Curious to know...

Not so fast...

Never liked princeton much...

Fast Enough

Cisco

Acknowledged WiFi problems w/iPad

iPad Sucks

Networks

Too bad

Re: Fast enough

Cornell University iPad users

Login Here

Register for our weekly email newsletter:

Connect tools:

Subscribe

to our RSS

Follow us

on Twitter

10 Most Read

10 Most Discussed

MacNN Marketplace