Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the wireless network?
2. How does the wireless network work?
3. What hardware is needed?
4. What kind of wireless card should I
buy?
5. How do I register and get online?
6.
What is the basic configuration for
a wireless network card on campus?
7. What operating systems are compatible?
8.
What areas of campus are covered?
9.
How fast is the wireless network?
10.
What is the range of a wireless device?
11.
What is an SSID?
12.
What SSID should I use?
13.
Can I print from a wireless device?
14.
Can University guests/visitors use
the wireless network?
15.
Can I use my smartphone on the wireless network?
16.
What about wireless security?
17.
What is WEP? Is it used at CU?
18.
What is 802.11b? 802.11a? 802.11g?
19.
Where should I buy a wireless network
card?
20.
Can I set up a wireless network in
my office, lab, or conference room?
21. Can I set up wireless in my University
residence hall room or University apartment?
22.
Do I still need a regular (wired)
Ethernet card?
23.
What about some departments wireless
networks that don't appear on the coverage map?
24.
Is wireless bad for my health?
25.
Does wireless interfere with other
devices?
1. What is the wireless network?
The UCB wireless network consists of a number of permanently installed
access points in various campus locations. It is built with 802.11b
and 802.11g network hardware that is WiFi certified. The wireless network
is an extension of the wired network infrastructure, which allows increased
mobility and flexibility for campus network users.
2. How does the wireless network work?
The wireless network uses radio and microwaves to send and receive
data. Wireless networks take digital data (1’s and 0’s)
and convert it into radio waves. This digital-to-analog and vice-versa
technique allows radio waves to transmit data in open air. 802.11b and
802.11g networks use radio frequencies in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz range.
3. What hardware is needed?
In order to use the wireless network, a laptop computer or other portable
device is needed with a compatible wireless network card.
4. What kind of wireless card should I buy?
Any 802.11g or 802.11n network card should work with UCB Wireless.
5. How do I register and get online?
After you select UCB Wireless, open a web browser and go to http://dhcp.colorado.edu. The first time you
use the network, you will be asked for your CU Login Name and IdentiKey password to register your computer on the wireless
network. To ensure only campus affiliates use the CU wireless network,
you may be asked to update your registration annually. In the future,
users may need to authenticate each time they access the wireless network.
6. What is the basic configuration for a
wireless network card on campus?
Please refer to the setup
pages for more specific instructions. Basic settings are as follows:
SSID: Automatic
Mode: Infrastructure
Channel: Auto Select
7. What operating systems are compatible?
Supported operating systems include Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Macintosh OS
10.4 or greater.
8. What areas of campus are covered?
There are many areas of the UCB campus that currently offer wireless
network coverage, and the network is growing. To view coverage
maps go to www.colorado.edu/its/wireless/coverage.
9. How fast is the wireless network?
802.11g
supports data rates up to 54 Mbps. However, it is a shared medium (radio
waves), and there are many variables in radio coverage such as physical
barriers like elevators, bookcases, or heavy steel doors, human density, and number
of network users. Actual throughput is usually 22 Mbps for 802.11g.
10. What is the range of a wireless
device?
The range of a wireless device depends on many factors: radio interference,
or “noise,” distance from an access point, connection speed,
and physical interference. Indoors, the range of a wireless network
card is between 50 and 200 feet. Outdoors (line of sight), the range
can be up to 1,000 feet.
11. What is an SSID?
SSID stands for Service Set Identity/Identifier. It is a name that
represents which wireless network a user is attached to. This is also
called the “Network Name” by some vendors. CU-Boulder's SSID is "UCB Wireless".
12. What SSID should I use?
Select UCB Wireless.
13. Can I print from a wireless device?
Yes in particular lab locations, see www.colorado.edu/cpi/remote/
14. Can University guests/visitors use
the wireless network?
Yes, a University representative should contact the ITS Service Center
to make arrangements for their guest or visitor to get a temporary IdentiKey.
15. Can I use my smartphone on the wireless network?
Yes, to learn more visit www.colorado.edu/its/docs/smartphones.
16. What about wireless security?
Wireless network security is a serious issue. Wireless is not only
a shared medium, but also a medium that is broadcast via radio waves.
Therefore, anyone with a wireless card could monitor your network traffic,
which could include passwords, account numbers, etc. Thus the data is
inherently insecure. In order to protect data, please ensure it is encrypted
using SSL, SSH, or VPN. For more information, see www.colorado.edu/its/security,
vpn.colorado.edu and www.colorado.edu/its/wireless/security.
17. What is WEP? Is it used at CU?
WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy and is not used on the CU wireless
network. WEP is an encryption method used with many wireless networks.
There are several flaws in the original WEP algorithms, and it is difficult
to support in an open campus environment. Fundamental problems with
the encryption make WEP an insufficient security measure for use on
campus.
18. What is 802.11?
802.11 is a standard that have been developed
by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers). The
IEEE is an international organization that develops standards for hundreds
of electronic and electrical technologies. The organization uses a series
of numbers, like the Dewey Decimal system in libraries, to differentiate
between the various technology families.
The 802 committee develops standards for local and wide area networks
(LANs and WANs). 802.11 is then further divided. 802.11g, is for WLANs operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency but
with a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps. 802.11g uses the same technology
as other 802.11b but the bandwidth (speed) has increased. 802.11a is a different
standard for wireless LANs operating in the 5 GHz frequency range with
a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps.
--From Wi-Fi Alliance: http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/FAQ.asp?TID=2#what_is
19. Where should I buy a wireless network
card?
Almost all laptops include a compatible wireless card. If you still need to buy a wireless card, ITS recommends the Buffalo Chip
in the CU Bookstore. You can also buy wireless network cards from many
retail computer stores and online computer resellers.
20. Can I setup a wireless network in my
office, lab or conference room?
Setting up wireless 802.11 access points on campus without coordination
with ITS is PROHIBITED per the Wireless Deployment and Management Policy.
Wireless technology is easy to deploy, but is highly sensitive to overlapping
frequencies. In addition, access points can act as routers or DHCP servers
if configured incorrectly, which can disrupt service to other network
users. Also, open wireless networks can allow unauthorized access to
the University network resources. For these reasons, ITS is charged
with managing wireless technology on campus in a centralized fashion
to ensure functionality, maximum bandwidth, and security standards.
If you are interested in wireless coverage in your area, check the
ITS Wireless coverage area locations (http://www.colorado.edu/its/wireless/coverage)
for current installation information, or contact the IT Service Center
about working with ITS to set up a wireless network.
21. Can I setup a wireless network in my
University residence hall room or University Apartment?
It is against housing ResNet policy to have in-room wireless access
point devices see housing.colorado.edu/computing/resnet_pol.html
If you have further questions, please contact the IT Service Center
at 303-735-HELP.
22. Do I still need a regular (wired) Ethernet
card?
Generally, the answer is yes. Most mobile users will want to use their
computer on the wired network where available, in addition to the wireless
networks. Although wireless offers a very mobile solution, it is slower,
shared, and fundamentally less secure than wired network connections.
23. What about some department wireless
networks that don’t appear on the coverage maps?
If a department pays for the installation of wireless equipment and
chooses to limit access to only their users (a closed network), it will
not appear on the campus wireless coverage maps. However all wireless
access points on campus must be coordinated by ITS.
24. Is wireless bad for my health?
Testing done on wireless network devices indicate no confirmed health
risks at this time. You should read the health information provided
by your wireless card manufacturer and follow their recommendations.
For additional information see www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html
25. Does wireless interfere with other
devices?
Yes, any 2.4GHz device that is near the wireless access point or wireless
card can affect the performance and may shut off your network connection.
These devices are usually microwave ovens in close range, cordless phones,
cameras and other 2.4GHz wireless devices. Other access points can interfere
with the CU wireless network, so it is necessary to coordinate with
ITS if you wish to set up a wireless access point.
Getting Help
IT Service Center
(303) 735-HELP
help@colorado.edu
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