As published in Toledo Business Journal - March 1, 2021
BGSU set for $4.7M upgrade to access points
All BGSU campuses will be receiving upgrades to the new Aruba Networks access points
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is investing $4.7 million, including equipment and installation, to receive upgrades to its new Aruba Networks access points at all BGSU campuses and locations.
“Bowling Green State University is currently upgrading more than 3,000 Cisco-based Wi-Fi access points to Aruba-based technology at the main campus in Bowling Green and at the Firelands College campus in Huron. In addition, the university is also improving access points at its Levis Commons and Sandusky locations. These changes will ensure optimal performance and enhanced user experience,” said BGSU chief information officer John Ellinger
Aruba Networks, a Hewlett Packard (HP) enterprise, is supplying the new access points for BGSU, and LakeTech out of Westlake, partners with HP to provide the technology. In addition, Lake Erie Technologies from Wood County is serving as the implementation partner for the BGSU project.
According to Ellinger, upgrading to Aruba-based access points will allow for two channels of network connections versus one. This allows for redundancy and double the bandwidth. The upgrades will also help make the transition of individual devices from one access point to another much smoother.
“With upgraded access points, BGSU’s Wi-Fi infrastructure will be faster, and users will notice improved load times with the ability to utilize Wi-Fi both inside and outside of buildings. Additionally, those living in residence halls will have the ability to connect up to seven devices per-person to the university network without compromising performance,” said Ellinger.
Work on the project started in May 2021 and is set to be complete by January 2023, noted Ellinger.
“As student enrollment and retention numbers continue to grow, BGSU is embracing changes in technology to better serve our campus community and Wi-Fi users. This commitment has been evident though the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as faculty and staff leveraged technology to provide robust educational experiences for students. As BGSU plans to safely welcome people back to campus in the fall, the continued upgrading of access points will ensure all Wi-Fi users have secure, enjoyable experiences as they continue to learn and create public good,” Ellinger concluded.