University of Michigan - Flint

University of Michigan-Flint

Quicknote #15: Accessing Services Over the Wireless Network

January 2008

Introduction

This Quicknote is written as a tool to assist UM-Flint students, faculty, and staff with accessing various applications once connected to the wireless network.

Before You Begin

Make sure your computer or laptop’s wireless access card is properly configured. For further assistance on how to set up your computer to access the wireless network, please see one of the following Quicknotes:

Services Available Over the Wireless Network:

When you are connected into the wireless network you are able to access the following services:

  • Internet
  • Web Email
  • Progdata
  • Your H Drive (FTP) 


How to Access the Internet on a Windows Machine:

 

As long as you are connected to the wireless network you will have an Internet connection.  You must have an internet browser (i.e. Internet Explorer or Firefox) installed on the computer.  You may choose either Internet Explorer or Firefox to view the Internet. You have to set the up the proxies to be able to enter our firewall.

Configuring Internet Explorer:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on Tools.
  3. Click on Internet Options.
  4. Click on the Connections Tab.
  5. Click on LAN Settings.
  6. Check Use Automatically detect settings.
  7. Make sure nothing else is checked.
  8. Click Ok.

After setting up the proxy, when you try to visit an off campus website you will have to login to our Firewall.

  1. In the username field enter Youruniqname@umflint.edu
  2. In the Password field, enter your LAN password.
  3. Finally, click the OK button.

Configuring Mozilla:

**Note: Internet Explorer on a Macintosh may not be compatible with our firewall. So you need to have an alternative web browser like Mozilla installed on your computer.

In order to access any websites outside U of M-Flint, you must be logged into the server. Within Mozilla you need to enter the Automatic Configuration Script.

  1. Open Mozilla.
  2. Next to the Apple, click on Mozilla and then click Preferences.
  3. In the Preferences Window, expand Advanced Settings and click on Proxies.
  4. Select Automatic Configuration Script URL and in the Text box below enter: http://cache.umflint.edu/cache.pac
  5. Click on Reload and click on Apply now.
  6. Close the browser and re-open it.
  7. When trying to access an off-campus website you will have to login to our firewall.
  8. In the Username field enter youruniqname@umflint.edu and the Password field enter your LAN password.
  9. Finally, click the OK button.


Troubleshooting Internet Explorer and Mozilla:

If, after completing the steps for either Internet Explorer or Mozilla, you are still unable to get the log-in prompt to appear then try the steps below.  If neither of these steps solves your problem, please bring your laptop into the ITS HelpDesk for us to troubleshoot your laptop.

  1. Do you have Norton Internet Security running on your PC?
    • If you have Norton Internet Security, or a similar program, running on your pc you will have to disable it to be able to get the login prompt.  To disable Norton Internet Security right-click on the icon in the lower right hand of your screen and select “Disable Norton Internet Security”.  If it asks you for how long, select “Until machine is restarted”.  You will have to do this every time you wish to use the wireless on campus.
  2. If you’re using Internet Explorer try this alternate method of configuring your browser:
    • Open Internet Explorer.
    • Click on Tools.
    • Click on Internet Options.
    • Click on the Connections Tab.
    • Click on LAN Settings.
    • Check Use Automatic Configuration Script.
    • In the “Address” box type http://cache.umflint.edu/cache.pac .  (see example to the right)
    • Make sure nothing else is checked.
    • Click Ok.
    • Please Note:  If you have a home wireless network and use these settings on campus, you may have to change them at home to use your wireless network as usual.  Simply follow the steps listed above, selecting “Automatically Detect Settings” instead of “Use Automatic Configuration Script.



back to top

How to Access the Internet on a Macintosh Machine:

  1. From Apple menu (upper left corner), choose System Preferences.
  2. Click on Network icon under System Preferences.
  3. Click the Show all button.
  4. Select Airport from the list and click on Configure.
  5. Click on the Proxies tab.
  6. Check Web Proxy (HTTP) under select a proxy server to configure.
  7. In the adjacent text box enter: webproxy.umflint.edu and 8080 in the text box for the
  8. port number.
  9. Click on Apply now.

 

back to top

How to Access Your E-mail

Accessing your email on the wireless network is the same as you would dialing in from home.

Outlook/OutlookWeb is the email program supported by the ITS Helpdesk.  For assistance on installation, set-up and configuring of Outlook please see Quicknote #83 for Windows users or Quicknote #84 for Macintosh users.

back to top

How to Access Progdata

Open your web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer or Firefox) and type in \\deptdrive\progdata\. For more information on Progdata, see Quicknote #22 for students and Quicknote #23 for faculty/staff.

**Please Note:  You will not be able to FTP in to Progdata from off-campus.  To access Progdata from off-campus please refer to the "What is Progdata" flyer.

back to top

How to Access Your Home Directory

Accessing your home directory (H: Drive) on the wireless network is the same as when dialing in from home.

SmartFTP: Enables Windows users to upload or download files from a remote site.  This is useful when working with personal directories (H: Drive) from the wireless network.  For assistance with configuring and using this program, please see Quicknote #54.

Fetch: Enables Macintosh users to upload or download files from a remote site.  This is useful when working with personal directories (H: Drive) from the wireless network.  For assistance with configuring and using this program, please see Quicknote #44.

**Please Note:  You will not be able to FTP in to your H: Drive from off-campus.  To access your H: Drive from off-campus please refer to Quicknote #80.

back to top

Additional Resources:

Please visit the Wireless page at http://www.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk/support_centers/wireless.htm.

ITS Quicknotes are available in the Student Computer Lab in 206 MSB, at the ITS HelpDesk in 207A MSB or on-line at http://www.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk.htm.

back to top

This documentation is maintained by the ITS HelpDesk a division of Information Technology Services at The University of Michigan-Flint.

ITSHelpDesk@umflint.edu ¨ 810.766.6804

ITS Home