Wireless FAQs

Introduction

This page answers frequently-asked questions that are specific to wireless technology in general and to UIUCnet Wireless in specific.

For frequently-asked questions about connecting to UIUCnet Wireless through QuickConnect or the campus VPN server, see the related FAQs, including the QuickConnect FAQ and Troubleshooting, the VPN FAQ, and Wireless and VPN Troubleshooting.

General wireless questions

Why doesn't my network card ever reach its maximum speed?
How do I connect my wireless card to a particular network?
(Windows users only:) You have trouble detecting a wireless network, making a connection, or staying connected to the same wireless access point.
(Windows users only:) Your computer disconnects from the wireless network although it still claims to be connected with excellent signal strength, and any attempts to reconnect will cause networking problems that often require rebooting. (Intel 3945 WiFi driver problem)

UIUCnet Wireless questions

Which wireless standard does UIUCnet Wireless use?
What user name and password do I use with UIUCnet Wireless?
I am on UIUCnet Wireless and am trying to run a Web server, but users off-campus can't connect to it. Why?
UIUCnet Wireless seems slower than my desktop connection. Why?
I want a wireless access point in my office/lab/etc. How do I get one?
Where can I connect to UIUCnet Wireless?

General

Why doesn't my network card ever reach its maximum speed?

In everyday use, conditions will rarely allow a user to reach the theoretical maximum speed advertised by network card makers. For more information, see Wireless Networking Speed: Ideals and Experiences.

How do I connect my wireless card to a particular network?

Many modern wireless-capable devices will automatically detect and connect to the strongest wireless signal in an area. However, older devices may need to be told how to connect, and even with a new device, you may need to choose between two or more equally strong signals.

At a minimum, your device will need the name of the network and the source of its identity. In the case of UIUCnet Wireless, this means a network name of UIUCnet and identity management by DHCP.

For more information on what to do if your card hasn't automatically detected and connected to the network you want to use, see Connecting your Wireless Device to UIUCnet Wireless and Changing Which Wireless Network You Use.

UIUCnet Wireless questions

Which wireless standard does UIUCnet Wireless use?

To be compatible with the UIUCnet Wireless network, your wireless card must use the 802.11b wireless standard. If your wireless card also supports 802.11a or 802.11g, you may have faster wireless access in some areas of campus.

In addition, CITES strongly urges that your card be Wi-Fi certified in order to guarantee that the manufacturer is following the 802.11 series standards closely.

At this time, 802.11b is the only wireless standard supported in all areas of the UIUCnet Wireless network. 802.11a and g are supported in some areas, but not yet in all areas. Bluetooth and other wireless networking standards are not supported.

Do I have to use the VPN software to use UIUCnet Wireless?

You can also use UIUCnet Wireless without using the VPN software by using UIUCnet QuickConnect. QuickConnect is a simple browser-based way to authenticate yourself and access many of the most commonly used networking resources, including email and the Web.

However, if you use unencrypted software with QuickConnect and choose to communicate sensitive data such as passwords, this information can be taken from the air by anyone else on UIUCnet Wireless.

For more information, see VPN for Wireless Users.

What user name and password do I use with UIUCnet Wireless?

If you are a University student, faculty, or staff member, you should use your NetID as your user name and your Active Directory password for your password.

Your Active Directory password is the same one you use for NetFiles, and may also be the one you use for CITES Express Email and other CITES services. (Or, if you've forgotten your Active Directory password, you can reset it with the help of your NetID password at the Password Home Page.)

If you are a guest of a campus department, you can ask for a temporary guest account which will allow you to connect to the campus network in many of the same ways that a regular user with a Network ID can.

I am on UIUCnet Wireless and am trying to run a web server, but users off-campus can't connect to it. Why?

Inbound connections to the wireless network are blocked at the University firewall. If you need to run a server, you should locate it on a wired connection.

UIUCnet Wireless seems slower than my desktop connection. Why?

There are at least three possible reasons for this.

You are sharing the speed of the wireless access point with all the other people who are using the same access point. Therefore, you may have less bandwidth available to you personally on the wireless network than your desktop computer will have in its fixed location.

Depending on the strength of the signal you are receiving from an access point, you may have as little as 1 Mbps of bandwidth available to your wireless device.

Data encryption and decryption requires computational time from the processor. Thus, the VPN may slow the system somewhat, particularly if your machine is older.

More information is given in the Wireless Networking Speed: Ideals and Experiences page.

I want a wireless access point in my office/lab/etc. How do I get one?

Talk to your network administrator. Your network administrator will need to talk to the Network Design Office at CITES.

Where can I connect to UIUCnet Wireless?

The Locations page lists areas that provide UIUCnet Wireless access. This list will continue to grow as more areas complete the paperwork and networking required to provide access points.