Changes to Improve Nomad Wireless Network Performance

To improve performance of Notre Dame Nomad wireless network, broadcast-type traffic will be filtered beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2006.

Broadcasting automatically sends out data from your computer to all other computers on the network, regardless of whether those computers requested the data or not. These broadcasts utilize a large amount of bandwidth resulting in slower performance. This is especially pronounced on a shared resource like a wireless network. Filtering broadcast traffic on the wireless network will result in more bandwidth for all wireless users and better performance. Broadcast traffic is consuming on average 25% of the capacity on the Nomad wireless network.

Everyone will notice a significant improvement in wireless network performance; some people who use iTunes, iChat, or iPhoto, however, will notice a minor change in the sharing and auto-discovery functions of these programs while on a wireless connection.

iChat users will only be able to auto-discover other iChat users on the same wireless access point, however users will continue to see any buddies that they have specifically added to their buddylist regardless of their network location. iTunes users will only be able to share playlists with other users on the same wireless access point. Also, sharing in iPhoto will only work between users on the same wireless access point.

Broadcast traffic and the use of iTunes, iChat, and iPhoto on the wired network will remain unchanged.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your departmental IT support staff or the OIT Help Desk at 574-631-8111.