The Internet access at Christian Brothers School is placed behind the Archdiocese of New Orleans firewall: a software that accomplishes two specific tasks: 1) helps to prevent any "hacker" attacks on any equipment using the Internet on our campus, and 2) prevents any accidental (or intentional) access of inappropriate materials on the Internet. The Wi-Fi here at CBS is connected through that same firewall.
An iPad can have 3G or 4G capabilities, meaning it can go onto the Internet without using a Wi-Fi signal by accessing a data plan for a cell phone carrier, such as AT &T, Verizon or Sprint. An iPad that has 3G or 4G capabilities uses what the carriers call a SIM card, very similar to what is in some cell phones. This SIM card "activates" the iPad, making it part of whatever data plan is assigned to that SIM card. Thus, an iPad with a 3G or 4G antenna and a SIM card will be able to bypass our firewall protection. Not being able to protect the students entrusted to our care to the best of our ability is not acceptable.
The question crops up that a parent's 3G/4G iPad doesn't have a SIM card, so everything should be alright. However, after doing research into this, our IT person, Mr. Constant, tells us the 3G and 4G capabilities on the iPad can be turned on just by inserting a SIM card from an iPhone into the iPad and changing a few settings. So, even though the iPad has not been officially activated, the SIM card makes it think that it is.
Apple and AT & T will tell you that it can't be done, but there are articles galore on the Internet that tell us otherwise, along with the advice of our IT. Thus, a 3G or 4G iPad will not be acceptable.
For more in depth information, please go to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
0 comments:
Post a Comment