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Wireless distribution behind Church Managed Firewall

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:35 am
by rickdez
We recently recieved instructions on connecting to existing Field Office Internet connections and they reference Wireless equipment. Due to the age of our building wireless makes more sense to distribute rather than hard wiring after the fact. Do we need further approval to go forward with a wireless distribution to our clerks offices or do these instructions give us that authorization?

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:42 am
by james_francisco
That's a good question. I know that prior to our stake split, the stake tech. specialist was planning to set the stake center up with wireless to access the CCN connection in the seminary offices.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:50 am
by rickdez
We have the CCN connection in the FHC in our stake center so we just need to distribute the signal to the four units in our building. Wireless seems so much more cost effective than running cable and since the instructions address adding or moving wireless network components and adding wireless interface to the local PC's it appears as though it has been considered and addressed.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:53 am
by aebrown
moroni7 wrote:We recently recieved instructions on connecting to existing Field Office Internet connections and they reference Wireless equipment. Due to the age of our building wireless makes more sense to distribute rather than hard wiring after the fact. Do we need further approval to go forward with a wireless distribution to our clerks offices or do these instructions give us that authorization?

The letter from the Presiding Bishopric dated 11 Feb 2008 said:

[quote]If there are any costs associated with connecting to these CCN connections, then they are the responsibility of the stake or district, and the work must be cleared with the facilities manager before it is done.[/quote]

So you need to clear this with your local FM group before proceeding, according to the policy letter.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:09 pm
by rickdez
The FM Group is in the loop on this but felt there was enough ambiguity in the letter on the topic of wireless that they would feel better with clarification from Salt Lake which is what I am trying to get if anyone knows who I should contact.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:16 pm
by russellhltn
It's my understanding that the wireless system needs to conform to the church standard. While not stated, I believe the work is to be done by or under the FM group. The letter doesn't authorize the ward/stake to run down to the store and buy a system.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:40 pm
by rickdez
Thank you for your comment. The instructions do say that the FM group must approve and coordinate all work. Their subcontractor is the one who would like chapter and verse before proceeding which is where I am at. Obviously, the church would not want adhoc wireless networks popping up all over the country without any standards for security, mac filtering, etc. I am just trying to find out which department at SLC would oversee this so that the proper clearance can be obtained.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:10 pm
by aebrown
moroni7 wrote:Thank you for your comment. The instructions do say that the FM group must approve and coordinate all work. Their subcontractor is the one who would like chapter and verse before proceeding which is where I am at. Obviously, the church would not want adhoc wireless networks popping up all over the country without any standards for security, mac filtering, etc. I am just trying to find out which department at SLC would oversee this so that the proper clearance can be obtained.

I can't imagine that there is a department in SLC that has the desire or responsibility to oversee this, so I think you are asking the wrong question. The letter clearly places that responsibility on the local FM group. I suppose if they have questions, they can ask their Regional Facilities Manager, who could then ask their Director of Temporal Affairs. But that shouldn't be the responsibility of a stake or district. The FM group's subcontractor should be asking the FM group, not you, for guidance.

When our stake center was equipped with wireless connectivity to the existing CCN, the subcontractor didn't ask us a thing --they only looked to the FM group who had hired them for coordination and guidance. As I understand it, that is the approved model.

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:49 pm
by rickdez
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate the input. It appears as though there are wireless installations out there which gives me hope that it is still a possibility to consider.

Wireless Distribution to Clerks Offices

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:37 pm
by MarchantRR
This is a great discussion. The notice from the Presiding Bishopric dated 11 Feb 2008 provides authorization for stake and ward computers to connect to existing Church Communication Network (CCN) networks. The responsibility for connecting to the existing network is left to the Stake and Stake Technology Specialist (STS), with clearance from the Facility Manager. Wireless distribution to clerk offices is an option.

There are a few possible scenarios:

(1) You want to connect clerk computers to an existing CCN wireless network (access points already installed)
  • Contact the Global Services Desk (GSD) and request that the "LDS Access" wireless configuration be added to the existing CCN wireless network.
  • GSD will update the existing CCN access points with a new SSID with WPA pre-shared key security.
  • The STS can connect clerk computers to the new SSID.
(2) There is an existing CCN internet connection but no existing wireless network.
  • The Stake can purchase off the shelf wireless equipment and install after approval from the FM Manager.
  • The policy requires that industry standard wireless security (WPA pre-shared key) be used to secure the wireless network.