This policy addresses operation of devices that intentionally generate and emit radio frequency energy and which may cause harmful interference to the University’s wireless communications system and ensures that the system remains functional and provides the necessary support to the University’s research, administrative, and teaching mission. This policy also is intended to prevent misuse of University service set identifiers (SSIDs).
This policy applies to any intentional radiators (defined below) operating in the ISM (2.4 GHz) and UN-II (5 GHz) bands, to any intentional radiators operating in the future radio frequency spectrum that may be allocated to public unlicensed use, and to any University and non-University owned or managed Wi-Fi equipment advertising SSIDs identical or confusingly similar in name to University owned SSIDs, as well as the owners and operators of such devices and equipment.
The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost has authority to implement and enforce this policy through the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
No researcher, faculty, student, staff member, or guest shall operate an intentional radiator of RF energy in the ISM, UN-II, or future assigned unlicensed bands on University property in such a manner that causes harmful interference with the University’s IllinoisNet wireless infrastructure.
No researcher, faculty, student, staff member, or guest shall operate a wireless access point providing wireless access on University property and advertise a service set identifier (SSID) identical or confusingly similar to those SSIDs used to provide IllinoisNet wireless access, including the terms “IllinoisNet,” “IllinoisNet_Guest,” and “Eduroam.”
Technology Services shall investigate claims of interference, and when such claims are validated as harmful interference, shall require the responsible operators to cease operation of that intentional radiator. The wireless networking group of Technology Services shall have the final determination as to whether harmful interference is being produced. Any non-authorized intentional radiator causing harmful interference that is physically or electronically connected to IllinoisNet shall be disconnected and physically removed by Technology Services. A log of all operators causing harmful interference shall be kept by the wireless networking group of Technology Services and repeat offenders shall be subject to loss of temporary privileges (guests) or disciplinary action in accordance with University disciplinary policies (students, faculty and staff).
It is recommended that operators of devices that emit interference try to minimize the interference where possible in order to minimize the likelihood of the interference reaching the harmful interference level and in order to be respectful of others in the University community.
Technology Services shall require any operator of a University or non-University owned or operated Wi-Fi access point to cease operation if found to be advertising a SSID identical or confusingly similar to a SSID in use on IllinoisNet. By operation of an access point on University property advertising a SSID identical or confusingly similar to a SSID in use on IllinoisNet, the operator grants Technology Services and the Office of Privacy and Information Security the right to inspect the access point and connected computing equipment for evidence of wrongful use and identity theft. Technology Services may confiscate the operator’s equipment for up to 30 days for forensic analysis. Any operator found to be engaging in credential fraud will be subject to disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution.
General: | Technology Services Help Desk consult@illinois.edu (217) 244-7000 |
IT-Pros: | net-trouble@illinois.edu (217) 333-1000 |