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FAQ

      1. What is required to connect to UCONN-SECURE?
      2. What is required to connect to UCONN-PUBLIC?
      3. How do I know if I have a wireless card installed?
      4. How fast is the UConn wireless network?
      5. Can my wireless card support WPA2-Enterprise? 
      6. How do I get a wireless network installed in my office, or building?
      7. Can I install a wireless network or access point in my dorm or office?
      8. Do I have to logon to the UCONN-PUBLIC Wireless login page every time I want use the Internet from a hotspot?
      9. Why can't I use my network shares over the UCONN-PUBLIC wireless network?
      10. What is better, a wireless or wired connection?
      11. What factors might be affecting the quality of my wireless connection?
      12. Lost Connectivity to UConn Wireless?
      13. Why can't I connect to the VPN?
      14. Why can't I connect to uconn.edu or other UConn sites?
      15. Can I use a static IP address on the UCONN-SECURE or UCONN-PUBLIC wireless network?

  1. What is required to connect to UCONN-SECURE?
    To access the UCONN-SECURE wireless network you will need an UConn NetID, compatible operating system and 802.11i compliant client wireless card.  View the Requirements page (add link) for full details.
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  2. What is required to connect to UCONN-PUBLIC?
    To access the UCONN-PUBLIC wireless network you will need a NetID or GuestID as well as an 802.11a, b, or g client card.
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  3. How do I know if I have a wireless card installed?

    4. For Windows based systems:

    Windows Vista: Open the Start Menu, right click on Computer and then select Manage.
    Windows XP: Open the Start Menu, right-click My Computer and select Manage.
    Windows 2000: On the Desktop, right-click My Computer and select Manage.
      1. On the left side of the "Computer Management" window, select Device Manager.
      2. On the right side of the window, double-click the Network Adapter category.
      • The name of your wireless adapter should appear.  The absence of a yellow exclamation point ("!") or a red "x" next to it indicates that the adapter is properly installed with the correct drivers and that there are no conflicts.
      • If there is a yellow exclamation point or red “x” trouble indicator next to the adapter's icon, you may have to look at your device guide to troubleshoot the problem, or, if the wireless card is built-in to your laptop, contact the manufacturer of the wireless card or laptop.
      • If your wireless adapter does not appear, it could mean that it has not been properly installed. Please contact the manufacturer of the wireless card or laptop for further assistance

    For Apple/Mac based systems:

    Please follow the following steps to find your adapter of Apple/Mac based systems:
      1. Open System Preferences from the Apple Menu
      2. Select Network in the Internet & Network section
      3. Look for Airport in the list of available adapters listed in the Show pull down window or on the left side of the window.  If Airport appears, then a wireless adapter is present in the machine.
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  4. How fast is the UConn wireless network?
    The University wireless network supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g protocol in most UITS managed locations and 802.11b/g in all locations.  The published speeds of 802.11a/b/g are 54 Mbps, 11 Mbps, and 54 Mbps respectively.  The actual throughputs of these protocols are roughly half of the published speeds.
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  5. Can my wireless card support WPA2-Enterprise? 
    Check the Wi-Fi alliance web site for a list of certified devices.  If your wireless adapter is listed to support WPA2-Enterprise and PEAPv0/EAP-MSCHAPv2 then is should be compatible with the UCONN-SECURE network.  Windows XP SP2 users may also need to download an update from Microsoft to enable WPA2-Enterprise support within the operating system. 
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  6. How do I get a wireless network installed in my office, or building?
    Send an e-mail to neteng@uconn.edu including the following information about your project:
    Contact information, building name, room number (or specific locations for coverage), operating system platform(s) used, any applications requirements, etc.  This information will be used to help design and recommend the best solution for your needs.
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  7. Can I install a wireless network or access point in my dorm or office?
    Refer to the Physical Network Access policy. In general, it is not recommended that you extend the network wirelessly or by other means. If you would like to have wireless in your area, contact UITS Network Engineering.  Wireless networks should be secure and open to community members and service should be consistent across the campus.
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  8. Do I have to logon to the UCONN-PUBLIC Wireless login page every time I want use the Internet from a hotspot?
    Yes. UCONN-PUBLIC wireless requires you to register your session at the UConn Wireless login page before you can start a wireless session. The device performing this authentication acts a gatekeeper to the UConn network.
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  9. Why can't I use my network shares over the UCONN-PUBLIC wireless network?
    Windows networking is allowed once a VPN session is established. Llogin at https://vpn.uconn.edu. If you prefer to access network shares without using the VPN consider using the UCONN-SECURE wireless network.
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  10. What is better, a wireless or wired connection?
    Even though wireless networks look attractive for use everywhere, wired networks still give the best performance and speed. In principal, a wireless connection works like a wired Ethernet connection. Wireless connection speeds may be up to 54 megabits per second, but the actual throughput is roughly half the connection speed.  Also, this bandwidth is shared among all users connected the same access point via wireless in a given area. This means that network speeds may be noticeably slower when many people are using the wireless network, or if you are too far from a wireless access point.   Generally wireless access will not be as fast as wired Ethernet.   For permanent network connections, a wired network is still the best solution.
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  11. What factors might be affecting the quality of my wireless connection?
    A number of factors can affect the quality of wireless connections at UConn. These include but are not limited to:
    • Signal strength:
      This can basically be determined by how close you are to an access point, and if anything is absorbing or deflecting the radio signals between the Access point and your machine.
    • Interference from another radio frequency source:  
      Unfortunately for 802.11a/b/g users, things like cordless phones operate in the same frequency band.  These radio signals can severely degrade or severely disrupt an 802.11 a/b/g signal.  The 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio frequencies are FCC unlicensed and therefore many commercial products are available that use these frequencies.
    • Number of users on the same access point:  
      Wireless Access Points (APs) are shared media devices, as more people are connected and using the wireless service, the overall throughput and therefore performance per AP may fluctuate, depending on traffic.
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  12. Lost Connectivity to the UConn Wireless network?
    If you are experiencing problems with your wireless connection or are having problems with reception in a particular area, try one of the following:
    • Check to see if you are in one of the UITS supported locations
    • Verify that your wireless adapter is on and installed properly
    • Verify the wireless settings on your adapter with those on the settings page
    •  Make sure you have typed your NetID and password correctly
    • If all else fails, reboot.
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  13. Why can't I connect to the VPN over the UCONN-PUBLIC network?
    Be sure you are logging in with your NetID and Password and have defined the proper Realm. For more help documentation on the VPN, go to http://security.uconn.edu/guides/vpn.html.  UITS only supports SSL VPNs over the UCONN-PUBLIC network.  If you are on UCONN-SECURE, you can not use the VPN.

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  14. Why can't I connect to uconn.edu or other UConn sites?
    You may not be logged in with your NetID and password.  When prompted for a password for a UITS managed wired network, that you are providing your NetID and password.  Guest users will use their GuestID and password on UCONN-PUBLIC only.
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  15. Can I use a static IP address on the UCONN-SECURE or UCONN-PUBLIC wireless network?
    No.  Static IP address assignments are for the wired networks and can be requested at http://network.uconn.edu/forms.htm.


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Last Updated: 3/12/2008