Getting Started with UIUCnet Wireless

UIUCnet Wireless is designed to allow users to connect to the main UIUCnet network and the Internet from any location where wireless access points have been installed.

In order to connect, you'll need five things:

Campus identity

You'll use your Network ID (or a valid guest account) when you log in to UIUCnet Wireless.

(If you don't have a NetID or guest account, some locations provide UI Public Wireless for University visitors in addition to UIUCnet Wireless for University members and guest account holders.)

Location

You need to be in a location with a wireless network signal. See the Locations page for a list.

If you see a sign like these, you're in a UIUCnet Wireless area.

Compatible wireless device

You need a wireless device that is compatible with either the 802.11b, 802.11a, or 802.11g wireless networking standards. (802.11n is also supported in some areas.)

CITES recommends that you purchase wireless devices that are Wi-Fi Alliance Certified to provide maximum compatibility with our Wi-Fi Alliance Certified wireless network equipment.

802.11b coverage is available in most wireless areas, with the higher-speed options available in some locations as well. Bluetooth and other wireless standards are not supported on UIUCnet Wireless.

Signal

Your wireless device needs to detect the UIUCnet Wireless signal in the wireless location you're in.

Note: Many modern wireless network devices will automatically detect the UIUCnet Wireless signal in wireless-enabled areas.

However, if your laptop or PDA doesn't automatically locate UIUCnet Wireless in a wireless location, see Connecting Your Wireless Device to UIUCnet Wireless for some tips.

If your laptop has connected to a different network but UIUCnet Wireless is also available, see Changing Which Wireless Network You Use.

Logging in

You'll need to log in through either QuickConnect and a web browser or a VPN client. (You'll use either your Network ID or a guest account as your username.)

UIUCnet QuickConnect: Online in 30 seconds or less

The fastest and easiest way for campus users to connect to the UIUCnet Wireless network is to open a web browser, enter http://wireless.uiuc.edu/ (or another http:// web address), and use the UIUCnet QuickConnect login for access to a specific set of common network capabilities such as web browsing, secure email, and secure file transfer.

The campus VPN server: Additional functionality

Since UIUCnet QuickConnect does not provide network traffic encryption or other security features, its use is restricted to web browsing and secure network transactions. (More details are available.) If you need more network access than QuickConnect provides, you'll need to install a VPN client in order to have a fuller range of network access.

UIwpa2: WPA2-secured wireless networking

When you're looking for wireless network connections on the Urbana-Champaign campus, you may notice that your computer locates a wireless network called UIwpa2 in addition to one called UIUCnet.

The UIwpa2 wireless network is also a part of the UIUCnet Wireless service. However, the two networks offer different security types, configuration types, and support.

In exchange for requiring pre-configured authentication information on each computer, UIwpa2 provides VPN-like security at the same time as the wireless network connection is made. Once your WPA2-compatible device has been configured to connect to the UIwpa2 section of the wireless network, you'll be logged in automatically each time you visit a UIwpa2-covered location, with no additional software or web connections required.

For more information, see the UIwpa2 pages.

After you've connected

After you've connected to UIUCnet Wireless through either the VPN or QuickConnect, you can stay connected for quite a while as long as the wireless signal holds steady and your device doesn't decide to hibernate. However, you can't stay connected more than 24 hours; you'll need to log out and log back in again before then.

If you're using QuickConnect and want to disconnect, you can close your browser and the pop-up window and your session will time out within an hour (and probably sooner).

If you're using the VPN, you use the VPN client to disconnect in the same way that you connected. (A "Disconnect" button is provided in the Windows and Macintosh interfaces, and the Linux/Unix client uses the command line.)

If you're using UIwpa2, you can choose a different wireless network from the list of available options and connect to that network instead.

Shutting down your computer will also disconnect you from the network. Hibernation has the same effect, which is why computers that hibernate or that turn off their network cards for power savings won't be able to stay connected as long as others.

For more information, see the VPN and Wireless FAQs.