Wireless enhancement

By Mrs. Jennifer Bacchus (AMC)January 14, 2016

Wireless enhancement
Mark Yeninas, an electronics mechanic for Tobyhanna Army Depot, attaches signage for the wireless local area network cables being installed at Anniston Army Depot. The WLAN project will enhance the depot's wireless capabilities when LMP Increment 2 g... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- A team of eight employees from Tobyhanna Army Depot and two contractors are currently upgrading and adding to the existing wireless infrastructure at Anniston Army Depot.

The wireless local area network, or WLAN, project will add wireless access points to buildings throughout the installation where there is no wireless connection and improve the existing network.

"The expansion includes upgrading wireless controllers, replacing outdated wireless access points, increasing wireless coverage areas inside current buildings and adding additional buildings to the wireless network," said Kendell Marbury, an information technology specialist/network administrator for Anniston Army Depot.

"For many buildings, which already had network cables, the equipment is being replaced," said Marbury. "The older wireless devices are no longer supported by the manufacturer and need to be replaced."

Tobyhanna was awarded the contract to upgrade the WLAN infrastructure for 13 installations in Army Materiel Command ahead of the Logistics Modernization Program Increment 2 implementation later this year.

"A good wireless network is critical to the success of LMP Increment 2," said Randy White, the LMP Office chief for ANAD. "We all know what it is like when we have a bad phone or television connection. This upgrade should help eliminate those types of problems when we conduct daily operations on the tablets which are part of LMP Increment 2."

Currently, ANAD's wireless infrastructure enables connectivity to the network and LMP-related software for handheld devices. During LMP Increment 2, employees throughout the industrial shops will begin to use tablet computers. The expansion and upgrade will assist with the connectivity of those devices.

"This technology will provide high-speed, short-range access points for the devices used with LMP Increment 2," said Mike Weiss, the WLAN project manager for Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Like any network connection at ANAD, a Common Access Card is necessary for access.