We are making the final preparations and wanted to find out some info about dorm contact with the outside world 
- I understand RPS does not like wifi routers in rooms. I can see why, of course. They mentioned wired is OK. So a nice hub/switch would be fine for someone who has, say, a laptop, a desktop, a network printer... ???
- I assume all dorms have WiFi. What's the policy for connecting things like streaming media players like Roku Stick or Roku 3 for occasional Netflix? do you have to register each device before it could be used? or will RPS unleash the Hammer of Thor to the unsuspecting WiFi streamer?
- I understand the dorms have TV, so there must be some converter box. How does this connect to the TV? HDMI? component out? coax?
- what kind of bandwidth is expected? just curious, sufficient for Netflix watching etc? wired? wireless?
Any inputs would be appreciated.
All buildings on campus have wifi, including all dorms. I’m not sure what the exact bandwidth, but the speed varies a lot. When a lot of people are on the network (usually in the evenings), the speed isn’t great. Most of the time it is fine though, and it is usually fine for Netflix. Everything does need to be registered to connect to wifi, and I’m not really sure what the policy is for Roku stuff. The TV is hooked up via a coaxial cable. Pretty much every channel is non-HD except for Big Ten Network, which is HD. Having your own printer is not necessary because there are multiple printers in every dorm. The dorm wifi isn’t perfect, but it will get the job done
OK, that was helpful! Thanks… We will skip the Roku stick in favor of something hardwired to a router. At the two other colleges I’ve seen (both state flagships) there’s some web page where you register the device’s MAC address (the 0F:13:24:29:0A looking thing) or access a sign on web page from the device; for Roku’s, printers and the such that’s not happening.
I eventually stumbled upon RPS TV and it mentioned there’s no converter box so that’s less boxes to worry about. Printer is not as much of an issue as you mentioned but scanner and copier functions are very useful too.
Orientation tomorrow!
I talked to the IUTS operative during orientation today and he said there’s a registration page to register such devices for wireless access; Very friendly and knowledgeable guy! He also said for tablets / phones there is a different process for authentication via IU Secure something, so keep it in mind.
Somehow I was able to get AT&T WiFi in places like the Chemistry building (CH122 - 4G reception iffy, 3G ok) and at Wilkie. I noticed it was available in many places on campus, no idea how or why. Seemed to work fine (we have AT&T wireless service).
The ‘don’t buy a printer’ message was echoed a few times so I suppose we won’t, DD2 is not as big a paper consumer as DD1 (architecture) so we’re OK. Indeed, printers (the good variety) were quite ubiquitous at residence halls, classroom buildings, etc.