Why use AirEUD?

We plan to continue making the AirEUD network available so long as it meets the needs of our users. Obviously the wider reach (to other buildings across GSFC) will be a major advantage of the CNE-offered networks. So we expect that even people who continue to use AirEUD will want to use the other networks in other places.

Why bother to continue using AirEUD?

• We support a secure network for older laptops.
  The WPA2 protocol (used by the staff CNE network) requires "AES encryption" which is usually provided in hardware by the wireless card, not by the operating system. If you have an older wireless card (e.g., an Airport card, not an Airport Extreme card), it likely does not support AES at all and cannot be upgraded without replacing the card. In general, 802.11b cards do not support AES, while most 802.11g cards do. Without AES support, an older laptop will not be able to connect to the staff "CNE" wireless network.
• For longer-term visitors who cannot get a VPN account, we provide a more convenient environment for accessing local resources (e.g., SSH). (Otherwise, they would need RSA Secure ID tokens for B2 SSH access.)
• AirEUD has "punched holes" in our firewall to allow services such as license managers (e.g., for IDL), printers, and more. (Some of these will be available through the "CNE" SSID.) A summer student providing their own laptop, for example, would be able to install and run the graphics language IDL when they could not do it from the Guest network and would not be permitted on the CNE network.
• AirEUD permits privately-owned machines on the network. The formal policy of the CNE staff wireless network is that machines should also have a wired IP address so that they can be scanned once per quarter. (The CNE admits this will be very difficult to enforce.) Privately-owned computers are difficult, at best, to place on the CNE.
• The Guest-CNE will be less convenient for on-site staff, since it will require the extra step of starting up the VPN software. AirEUD (and "CNE") should connect immediately.
• AirEUD certificates are good for a year, with a straightforward renewal process. The Guest-CNE access codes are normally good for five days, although it is possible to get longer-term access codes (90 days).
• Local system administration support, with a far wider than 8x5 support model (ASD/660 Help Desk).