Problem Formulation

Problem Statement:

With the Stevens Network unavailable and Skyline acting is the temporary replacement, students need a way to improve online experiences whether it be browsing or gaming.

KT - Analysis

What:

• What is known? - Skyline Network is very strict and restraints many students experiences.
• What is not known? - How to successfully access Skyline's full potential safely.
• What was observed? - Skyline limits NAT Type to Type 3, the strictest NAT type that limits online capabilities, and also limits online streaming accessibility.
• What was not observed? - People do not know what is an acceptable noise level.
• What are the constraints? - Prioritizing safety and stability with the use of the product and chosen VPN set up.
• What is important? - Access to NAT Type 1 or 2 and transparent discretion of VPN activity on the network.
• What is not important? - Whether we can achieve NAT Type 1 or 2, either is acceptable.
• What are the goals? - Creating a successful VPN that can accomplish what we have categorized as important.
• What are not the goals? - Creating a VPN that meets our requirements but limits the network.
• What can be expected? - Using our VPN to access a NAT Type capable of accessing all online features and allowing seamless, discrete, uninhibited online activity on the network.
• What is not expected? - A difference in network performance on device usage.

When:

• When did the problem occur? - The problem began at the start of the Fall 2019 semester when Skyline was introduced.
• When did the problem not occur? - Before the hack occurred on Stevens Institute of Technology.
• When must the solution be implemented? - The solution can be implemented as soon as possible.
• When is the solution not needed? - Usage is up to the users discretion, the product can be used 24/7.

Who:

• Who can provide more information? - Students who experienced the difference in network connection before and after the implementation of Skyline.
• Who cannot provide more information? - Those who are living in off-campus housing or those not connecting to the Skyline network on a daily basis.
• Who is a customer? - Although those who live on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology are the target audience, all those who can benefit from VPN capabilities is a potential customer.
  • Who is not a customer? - Even though everyone is a potential customer, those who have secured their own personal networks through other methods may not feel the VPN will benefit them.
• Who is affected by the problem? - Those living on Stevens campus.
• Who is not affected by the problem? - Those living off-campus or in their own housing situations.

Where:

• Where did the problem occur? - Stevens Institute of Technology.
• Where did the problem not occur? - Any location not connected to the Stevens Network during the cyber-hack.
• Where is the customer located? - Stevens Institute of Technology campus or in shared network locations.

Why:

• Why is this problem important? - Stevens campus residents are limited on their internet capabilities even though they are paying for a full-access experience.
• Why does the solution work? - It gives the user control of their own internet access and safety from others with the ability to the network.
• Why does the solution not work? - Seeing as the VPN must be programmed individually by the user, if instructions are not properly followed there could be resulting errors and user disappointment.

How:

• How is the problem related to other problem? - Giving internet access back to the user is important and results in a positive living situation, resulting in a positive college experience.
• How is the problem not related to other problems? - Not everyone will be in need of this product, as they may already be benefiting from a full-access network.
• How can a task be performed? - Using a Raspberry Pi, a VPN can be set up and developed such that whenever the Pi is activated, a secure network connection can be made and complete access granted.
• How can a task not be preformed? - The alternative to this issue is to create a Mobile Hotspot from a device connected to the network and connect other devices to it. However, this would be ineffective as it limits network access, safety, connection speed, and online gaming capabilities.\