IN

 
Installed June 2005

HISTORY:

WiFi is now available in Monroe Park FREE to the park users, the installation was completed on June 2, 2005.  Monroe Park is the first park in the City of Richmond to offer WiFi to the public. The WiFi Project was the vision of the Councilman Bill Pantele, 2nd District, and the Monroe Park Advisory Council and the project was started in September 2004 with a target service date of the Spring of  2005.  The WiFi Project was a joint effort between; Richmond City Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Department of Information Technology and the Monroe Park Advisory Council with citizen support.  The TEAM made good their promise to deliver WiFi to park users this Spring (2005). 

HOW TO USE IN MONROE PARK:

To use the Wireless Network, you will need a laptop or handheld device with an 802.11b/g compatible wireless card or built in 802.11b/g wireless capability.

Configure your software

1. Configure your Wireless card to the following:

2. Configure your Network settings to:

3. Configure your Web Browser so it is NOT set to use a proxy server

Connect to the network*

1. Launch your web browser and type in a URL.

2. The Monroe Park Captive Portal Page** will appear, Read and agree to the Terms of Use, click CONTINUE

3. You will be redirected to www.monroepark.com Home Page, type in your destination URL and your Internet home page or the page you requested will load.

4. Start surfing!

*NOTE: We at Monroe Park understand that each computer and network card is different, but we can only provide limited assistance. With simple connectivity issues, feel free to email Technical support. For advanced technical support, contact your PC or network card vendor.

View a diagram of the network Our Network

**Captive Portal provided by version 1.21

THE TECHNOLOGY:

The WiFi uses DSL technology for connection to the Internet at 3Mb download and 768Kb upload. (Updated January 2006)   The system is composed of: A-Open system with a PIII running monowall firewall (on FreeBSD, a web server, PHP) and , Buffalo Technology Air Station WLA2-G54L Access Point which supports 802.11b and g wireless access technology.  The system was designed with a coverage pattern as indicated below, this provides wireless service at a -50 dB, however,  service is available in the whole park area.  Slower speeds may be experienced at the perimeter of the park.





Monroe Park WiFi Core Coverage Area (June 2005)

THE VENDORS:

We would like to thank the vendors involved in the WiFi Project; TecHead, Infotel Systems and Verizon for their cooperation and coordination efforts involved in make this project a reality.