Wireless Network Access Available

As mentioned in Campus Notices Friday, April 8, 2005, University Computing is implementing a new level of security to the wireless network locations on the undergraduate campus. The new authentication system, called Blue Socket, will require authentication using your Novell userid and password through your web browser.

The Blue Socket system is scheduled to be configured on the wireless networks in LEYBURN LIBRARY and the ELROD COMMONS buildings Wednesday, April 13. Specific instructions about the authentication process can be found at http://computing.wlu.edu/howto/wireless/.

Please note that this change will affect only users of wireless technology on the undergraduate campus, not those using wired connections in offices and computers labs. The Blue Socket product will help University Computing ensure the stability and security of our campus wireless network, and we are deploying it now in anticipation of its use during the NCUR 2005 conference being co-hosted by W&L and VMI on April 21-23, 2005. If you have any questions about this implementation or any problems with the authentication process, please contact the HelpDesk at 4357.

Wireless network access is now available in many areas on campus. Review these frequently asked questions for more details.

A wireless network allows a user to access network resources, including the Web and e-mail, without requiring the user's computer to be physically connected to a network wall jack. The network signal is broadcast from an access point, which is hardwired to the network, and properly configured computers detect that signal and establish the network connection.

To use this service, each user must have a wireless ethernet card installed in his or her computer and registered with University Computing at Washington and Lee University. For more details see How do I access the wireless service?

The wireless network can provide connection speeds up to 11 Mbs (megabits per second), similar to dormitory connections. However, the signal broadcast by the access point is a shared resource, and the number of users connected to an access point at any given time can affect the available bandwidth. For more details see What are the limitations of the service?

Wireless network access is available in the locations listed below and anywhere you see this logo:

Phi Delta Theta
Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Sigma
Phi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Phi

If you are having problems using the wireless network service, contact the HelpDesk at ext. 4357 or by email at helpdesk@wlu.edu.

The wireless network can provide connection speeds up to 11 Mbs (megabits per second), similar to dormitory connections. However, because the signal broadcast by an access point is a shared resource, the number of users connected to an access point at any given time can affect the available bandwidth.

Similarly, the distance from the access point to the user's wireless card antenna, as well as intervening obstacles (walls, metal objects, etc.), will determine the signal strength and thus whether service is available and at what rate. The wireless data rate (speed) decreases with signal strength. Details on how users can monitor and improve wireless performance.

In addition, 2.4 GHz cordless telephones, some microwave ovens, and other 2.4 GHz devices, which use the same frequency as the wireless network, can interfere with wireless network access and performance. Please report any problems with your service to the HelpDesk at ext. 4357 or by email at helpdesk@wlu.edu.

Within a fraternity house, the service to all members will be adversely affected if one user runs an application that saturates the bandwidth. Specifically, network activities such as peer-to-peer file sharing can compromise the level of service available to all users. Please be considerate of others when using a wireless connection. For more details on appropriate use, see Are there any restrictions on use of the service?

The wireless network is a shared resource, meaning the connection speed experienced by each user depends on how many, and in what manner, clients are using a given access point. Do not engage in any activities that may compromise the level of service available to other members of the W&L community. Please review the Washington and Lee University Computing and Network Use Policy.

If you are having problems using the wireless network service, contact the HelpDesk at ext. 4357 or by email at helpdesk@wlu.edu.

Wireless Networking Now Available In Selected Areas