Pictured
with the portable network are (from left) Linda Morales and Debbi Howard
of computer science, who will be using the network system; Sam Saffer,
computer science department head; and James "Jim" Klein, College
of Arts and Sciences dean.
(Commerce)—Texas A&M University-Commerce computer science students will be able to study network security protocols, intrusion detection systems and other security concepts regarding information security at just about any location, thanks to an unusual specialized laboratory.
A portable, self-contained, controlled network—complete with laptops—that can be set up just about anywhere was acquired through grants from the George Washington University, the National Science Foundation, Cisco Systems, and the College of Arts and Sciences at A&M-Commerce.
"The system allows us to take the program off campus," said James Klein, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "It also gives us a lot of flexibility as we will be able to turn virtually any location into a classroom."
Morales and Howard thanked their benefactors for the system, which has
an estimated value of $120,000. The professors plan to continue to work
closely with George Washington University to develop creative uses for
the network, educate students and take information security to the broader
community. 