Public Ethernet Connections

[JQ Johnson]

Like several other libraries, we provide public Ethernet (10baseT)
connections for patrons (typically members of the university community,
but we don't card people at the door!).  We have about 110 hot Ethernet
ports available for plugin, and in addition have a very small number (I
think 2) of laptops available for LUO loan.  It all works reasonably well.
Some additional random observations:

- having a DHCP server is critical to the success of this approach.  Win95
and MacOS Open Transport laptops can both take advantage of DHCP without
too much trouble (though MacOS has trouble if you use Windows NT as your
DHCP server, due to typical Microsoft arrogance).  We make no attempt to
support any other OS.
- we employ hubs with eavesdrop protection aka "need to know" (I think we
use mostly HP hubs).  As Mark Ellis mentions, this is a common feature in
modern hubs that limits vulnerability to eavesdropping.  It does not
really provide a secure environment, but we have had no security problems
with our plugin laptop users, perhaps because we already have public
workstations on the same network (so we aren't decreasing security much by
allowing walkins).
- even with Win95 or MacOS 8, a laptop owner still needs an Ethernet
interface and appropriate changes to her software configuration.  These
are not rocket science, but neither are they trivial for a naive faculty
member to understand.  I frequently get questions of the form "I have a
network connection in my laptop.  Do I need a special cable?" where on
probing I find that "network connection" means built in modem.    We don't
currently have adequate step by step documentation to help patrons get up
and running, nor are our reference librarians technically literate enough
to help.  Instead, we refer patrons to our Computing Center for support.
- the requirement that patrons spend $100 or more for a 10baseT PC Card
that they don't need at home limits the appeal of our service.  We've
considered (and rejected as difficult to support) the idea of lending PC
Card Ethernet interfaces (plus software drivers on a floppy) for LUO.  We
expect over time to see more laptops with 10baseT (students with ethernet
in dorm room, faculty who use their own laptops in classrooms, etc.).
- the small number of people who actually take advantage of our Ethernet
service are very pleased with it.
- we also have for several years supported Metricom "Ricochet" radio
modems, and a few people use such modems with their laptops in the
library.  My guess is that the availability of 10baseT ports and the
limitations of the Ricochet technology are driving people towards our
10baseT service.  However, if your library is investigating the idea of
providing plugin access for patrons you should investigate both hardwired
Ethernet and various alternatives, including radio modems and wireless
(IEEE 802.11) LANs.  If you're planning more than a year or two in the
future, you should also think seriously about how you will provide network
access to the growing palmtop (both Windows CE and PalmPilot) population.

I'd be very interested in exchanging notes (off list) with other libraries
that are successfully providing this sort of service.  In particular, I'd
love to steal some of your documentation!

JQ Johnson                      Office: 115F Knight Library
Academic Education Coordinator  mailto:jqj at darkwing.uoregon.edu
1299 University of Oregon       phone: 1-541-346-1746; -3485 fax
Eugene, OR  97403-1299          http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jqj/