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Wireless FAQ
Questions
- What wireless cards can I use to connect to the SFSU wireless network?
- Where can I purchase a wireless card that will work at SFSU?
- My new computer came with a built-in wireless card, why won't it work?
- What areas on campus have wireless coverage?
- Where are the wireless access points on campus located?
- Is there roaming between hotspots? Is there a time limit that I can be connected to the wireless network?
- Why can't I browse the web after waking my laptop from sleep?
- Is it possible to print while using a wireless connection on campus?
- Is the SFSU wireless network secure?
- I heard that there is a new wireless network at SFSU. How do I access it?
- I bought a Cisco wireless card for the previous SFSU wireless network. Will my card work with this new system?
- I don't use Windows XP or Mac OSX. Can I still use SFSU's wireless network?
- Do I need to logoff when I am finished?
- What is the SSID?
Answers
- Wireless Cards Supported Any WiFi compatible 802.11b wireless card for Microsoft Windows based computers.
The Apple AirPort and Apple AirPort Extreme cards for Apple Macintosh system are recommended. Other wireless cards may work on a Macintosh but have not been tested. Non branded Apple wireless cards will not use Apple's AirPort software, use the manufacturer's software provided with your 802.11b card to connect to the network.- Places to Purchase Wireless Cards Most computer stores sell 802.11b wireless cards. The SFSU Bookstore sells wireless cards for the PC and Macintosh. You can purchase these cards from other retail and mail order outlets. Apple AirPort and AirPort Extreme cards can be pre-ordered with new Macintosh computers if ordering directly through the Apple Store or purchased separately. Some computer models such as the IBM Thinkpad Centrino comes with built-in 802.11b technology and do not require a separate wireless card to install.
- My Wireless Card Won't Work Make sure your wireless card is based on the IEEE 802.11b standard. Check the web site of the manufacturer of your wireless card for updated software and/or firmware drivers for your wireless card. If the manufacturer provides newer software and/or firmware updates for your wireless card we recommend you download and install the software/firmware. We also recommend you keep your Windows and/or Macintosh operating systems current and install critical and security updates as well as software related to your wireless card. Microsoft Windows XP provides a 'Windows Update' feature and the Macintosh provides 'Software Update' to easily install these updates and patches. After installing newer drivers and/or software reconfigure your wireless system using our instructions on the SFSU Wireless document.
- Wireless Coverage on Campus The main Quad (large grassy outdoor area between the Student Center and the Business building), inside the J. Paul Leonard Library building, the outdoor area between the new Humanties building and the Student Center and the grassy area between Burk Hall and the Fine Arts building.
- Wireless Access Points on Campus
Pacific Plaza - SFSU Center
Downtown Center - COB area
OAD 101 - Outside hallway
OAD 117 - Outside
NAD 460 - Outside (Some coverage for 3rd and 5th floors)
SSB Lobby
SC - Jack Adam Hall (SC installation)
SC - M level (SC installation)
LIB Ground floor
LIB 1st floor - 24 Hour Quiet Study area
LIB 1st floor - Info Desk
LIB 1st floor - Ref area
LIB 2nd floor - near 219
LIB 2nd floor - Periodicals
LIB 3rd floor - Quiet Study area
LIB 3rd floor - SE corner
LIB 3rd floor - Sorting area
LIB 4th floor
LIB 5th floor
LIB Roof - Toward quad
BH Roof - Toward SC
HSS 3rd floor - Outside E363
HUM Roof - Toward campus
HUM - 2nd floor - North wing (installed by College of Humanities)
HUM - 4th floor - East wing (installed by College of Humanities)
TH Roof - Toward quad
SCI 1st floor - outside 148
SCI 1st floor - Faculty wing
PSY 3rd floor
PSY 5th floor
BUS all floors - Using Business access points- Can I roam between hotspots? Is there a limit to the time I can stay connected to the wireless network? The SFSU wireless network allows for roaming between hotspots. Currently the settings are thus:
15 minutes between hotspots before disconnect.
2 hours before next login.
1 login per user account.- I Woke My Computer from Sleep Mode and Can not Connect to the Wireless Network Macintosh computers using an Apple AirPort or AirPort Extreme card may disconnect from the SFSU wireless network when entering sleep mode. To resolve this issue, simply log back into the wireless network. To prevent this situation from occurring in the future you may want to increase the time specified in the Energy Saver inactive sleep mode setting or change the sleep mode setting to never.
- Is Printing possible while using the Wireless Network on Campus? Printing is unavailable when connected to the wireless network on campus.
- Is the SFSU wireless network secure? The SFSU wireless log in procedure is secure; however, traffic on the SFSU wireless network is not encrypted. Traffic you send and receive over the SFSU wireless network is visible to any other person with a computer and an 802.11b wireless card. We recommend that you use applications that encrypt data for security. For example you should only read and submit confidential data through secure web pages (https not http), use SSH rather than telnet, use secure FTP rather than FTP, etc.
- How do I access the SFSU wireless network? The instructions to access the SFSU wireless network are located at http://www.sfsu.edu/~helpdesk/wireless
- Will my old Cisco 350 card still work on the SFSU wireless network? The Cisco 350 wireless cards will work with SFSU's new wireless network. You will need to make minor configuration changes to the Cisco Aironet Client Utility. Modify your current SFSU profile and turn off LEAP, turn off WEP and make sure the SSID is SFSU. You can find instructions on modifying the Cisco Aironet Client utility at http://www.sfsu.edu/~helpdesk/wireless/wireless_cisco350.htm
- I don't use Windows XP or Mac OSX. Can I still use SFSU's wireless network?
If your laptop or mobile device has WiFi certified 802.11b wireless capabilities (most wireless enabled laptops fit this description) and your web browser supports SSL, then you should be able access the SFSU wireless network.
- Do I need to logoff when I am finished?
We recommend you logoff when finished with your wireless session. To logoff, click on the Logoff button on the Vernier Logoff Page Pop-Up window. If you have accidently closed the Vernier Logoff window, type in the url https://verniercs-bu.sfsu.edu/logon, scroll to the top of the page if necessary, then click the Logoff button. You will be logged out automatically if any of the following occur:
- You turn off your computer for more than 15 minutes or
- Leave the radio range of all access points for more than 15 minutes or
- You are logged on for 2 hours.
- What is the SSID?
The SSID is SFSU. Make sure to use all uppercase letters when entering the SSID.
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Last Modified: 11 May 2005
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