University of Michigan - Flint

Wireless networking is the use of radio frequency signals to connect portable workstations - such as laptops or PDAs - to an Ethernet LAN. The present standard for wireless Ethernet is called 802.11b and specifies an 11 Megabit/second data transmission rate.

Today's wireless networks are composed of two primary components, an access point and a wireless PCMCIA adapter. An access point converts the wired Ethernet signals to radio waves and are typically installed in ceilings or mounted high in a wall. The wireless PCMCIA adapter looks and acts like a regular Ethernet card but the antenna protrudes slightly from the laptop and the battery life of the laptop is slightly decreased.

A wireless network offers the freedom and convenience of being able to connect to the network with a portable computer from virtually anywhere on campus. However it is important to remember that wireless access is intended to supplement wired ethernet access, not replace it.

Even though wireless networks look attractive for use everywhere, wired networks still give the best performance and speed. In general, a wireless connection works just like a wired ethernet connection. Wireless access may be up to 11 megabits per second. This bandwidth, however, is shared among all users connected via wireless in a given area. This means that network speeds may be noticeably slower when many people are using wireless, and generally will not be as fast as wired ethernet. For permanent network connections, a wired network is the best solution.

You can use wireless with your laptop computer for E-mail, web browsing, home directory access (web or FTP), and gaming. You should not use wireless for streaming audio/video, very large downloads or very intensive graphic websites.

Any computer equipped with a wireless access card that conforms to the Wi-Fi™ standard (otherwise known as IEEE 802.11b) for wireless internetworking is compatible. Although most people use this technology with laptop computers, desktop computers can also be made compatible through the use of adapters. 

Absolutely. In fact, Apple's AirPort™ system is probably the best-known Wi-Fi™ system in use today. And even if you didn't purchase an AirPortTM card with your computer, you can still purchase a card and add it to your computer to establish wireless access.

Currently, students' hand-held computers (PDAs, Palms, etc.) are not supported for wireless network access. 

You will need to purchase a wireless card that conforms to 802.11b specifications that is Wi-Fi™ certified. We are recommending the Cisco 350 card as this has proven to perform the best with our access points.  Visit your local computer store to purchase a wireless card.  Also, see Quicknote #15 for details on accessing services over the wireless network.

No. You need to be an authenticated user with a LAN ID in order to connect to the wireless network.

Just like the wired network, authentication exists on the wireless network to ensure that only registered students are able to use the network.

There is currently network connectivity throughout all buildings that house student activities. These are French Hall, the University Center (UCEN), the Thompson Library, the William S. White building, the Murchie Science Building (MSB) and the University Pavilion. This will allow personal computers equipped with wireless cards to be used throughout each building.  Students and faculty should find the added bonus of some outside coverage north of the Library by the river and south of UCEN in the plaza.

Yes. Be aware that a laptop's batteries will deplete much faster while using Wireless.

You can check your Network Connectivity status by looking at the Status and Activity indicators on the Wireless PC Card Antenna. The Status light will blink when a connection is made. The Activity light will blink when data are transmitted.

In order to establish a connection between the wireless system and your computer, we have to register your card's MAC (media access control) address in our database. We do this so that people who aren't a part of the U of M – Flint community can't just wander in and surf the Internet.

SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. The SSID, also called the Network Name, is a name that identifies a wireless network. Each wireless network in any given area will have a unique SSID. In order to connect to a wireless network your computer must know the SSID for the network you want to use. Depending on your system this name can either be automatically configured or you may need to specify the SSID manually.

Recently the wireless network was upgraded in all buildings on campus, except for MSB and WSW.  In these buildings the wireless network has a different name.  Instead of UMF_BASIC, it is still called "80211net".  If  you set the wireless up when you first used it in a building with a different network name than the building you are currently in, you may have to double click on your wireless icon and manually set up the network with the other network name.  See Quicknote 65 for details.  For clarification the two wireless network names are listed below with a list of buildings from which they are accessible.

1. 80211net
• Murchie Science Building (MSB)
• William S. White Building (WSW)
2. UMF_BASIC
1. French Hall (FH)
2. Library
3. University Center (UCEN)