The Westchester Library System needed to upgrade its 7-year-old WiFi infrastructure to meet rising demand without increasing costs. It implemented a Cisco wireless solution with access points and a controller to provide remote management, scalability, and usage statistics. The network design included Cisco firewall equipment to enable private network features over the public internet using a VPN. This allows the library to control the number of users, enforce bandwidth limits, and gain valuable insights from usage statistics - all while saving staff time on issue diagnosis through remote monitoring.

1. WiFi in LibrariesAn Essential Public ServiceRobert A. Caluori, Jr.IT Manager, Westchester Library System

2. BackgroundWestchester Library System (WLS) is a 38 member / 44 location library system and technology consortiumLast year was faced with need for an upgrade7 year old wireless equipmentNot serving the rising demandNeeded upgrade project that did not increase recurring costs.All wireless equipment separate from Library’s primary networkNo authentication desired

3. Previous InfrastructureLinksys routers, sometimes multiple routers, in each libraryConnected to cable modems providing 1.5Mbps at no charge from local providerNo remote management, monitoringConsistent failures due to volumeNot meeting patron demand for access

4. New RequirementsRemote management and monitoringScalable to meet coverage area and volume needsStatistical records of usageNo new or upgraded data circuits

5. The solutionCisco wireless access points and controller Can handle the current and future volumeProvides scalabilityCollects valuable statisticsCisco firewall equipmentProvides VPN access to enable private network features over the public Internet

6. Network Design

7. BenefitsAbility to control # of users permittedUsers presented with EULA acceptanceBandwidth limitation can be enforcedRemote monitoring saves valuable staff time in diagnosing issuesStatistics are valuable management toolOther management tools: Power control, access

8. Use of VPN to overcome issuesAP’s require communication with controllerStatic IP not available with current connectionUse of ASA accomplishedVPN use to be configure devices appropriatelyRoute Internet traffic around management traffic

9. Example of Statistics Usage

10. Thank youQuestions????Robert A. Caluori, Jr.Westchester Library Systemrobc@wlsmail.org