/ Setting up Wireless Service
(For Windows XP)

I. What is the Wireless Network Service?

This service allows anyone with a laptop, a Gatorlink account, and an appropriate wireless networking card to access the university network and the internet from areas around campus that have been activated. To offer the potential benefits of this service to the University of Florida community, NERDC Network Services is in the process of deploying a campus wide wireless network. This information will help you connect your computer to the wireless network using CIRCA's Internet Port Service. CIRCA's Internet Port Service allows you to authenticate to the wireless network and to use networking programs such as Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer, e-mail, file transfer and telnet software.

II. What are the system requirements?

From Windows XP, setting up wireless service requires the following:
  • The Windows XP operating system and CD. You may need your Microsoft Windows CD.
  • The wireless networking card must be properly installed. To be compatible with the systems on campus your wireless card will need to 'Wi-Fi' compatible. We recommend the Cisco Aironet 350 wireless client adapter (AIR-PCM352), which is available at the Technology Hub. There are also older 340 series adapters available that may be available at a lower price. The newer 350 cards have a higher power output capability and more advanced performance features.
  • To properly install the networking card, you must install the software drivers that are provided as a CD or floppy disk with the card. You must also install the client configuration utility (or setup utility) which will allow you to modify configuration settings.

III. How Do I Create a Connection?

After the primary network components are installed and configured, you must create a connection that will connect you to GatorLink services, to which you can double-click each time you'd like to get online. To create the connection, follow these steps listed below:
  1. If the Control Panel is not open, Go to the task bar and click on Start, then click on Settings, then click on Control Panel.
  2. Double Click on the Network Connections, and then double-click on the Create a New Connection link.
  3. Select Connect to the Internet, Press the Next> button.
    Select Setup Connection Manually, Press the Next> button.
    Select Using Broadband Connection that is always on Press the Next> button.
  4. Click on the Finish button. A Connection shortcut for the LAN Connection should now appear inside the Network Connections window.
  5. With the RIGHT MOUSE button, click on the Gatorlink Service or NERDC Service connection shortcut and select the option, Properties.
    Select the General tab and perform the following:
  • Click on TCP/IP, and then click Properties.
  • Select the option Obtain IP address automatically.
  • Select the option Obtain DNS server address automatically.
  1. Click on the OK button in the TCP/IP Settings box.
  2. Click on the OK button in the Connection Properties dialog box.

IV. How do I log on to the network?

Once your computer is set up properly and restarted, you can log on to the UF network using your browser. Follow these instructions to log on to the network:
  1. Set up your computer using the information in this document.
  2. Open your Web browser (Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer).
  3. Visit the Web page and log on using your Gatorlink username and password.
  4. Log off by turning your computer off or visiting the Web page
For instruction explaining how to print using CIRCA's printers once you are logged on, go to the Web page

V. What if it does not work?

Once Microsoft's TCP/IP protocol is installed and configured, your networking programs, such as Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer, Eudora Lite, and WS-FTP LE should work properly. If your networking programs do not work, check the following:
  1. If you are able to reach the WIPA authentication page but you are unable to login then the problem is most likely with your Gatorlink account.
  2. If you open the client configuration utility on your computer you should be able to tell if you are able to 'see' a wireless Access Point. This of course requires that you be in an area that has wireless coverage. At the bottom of the utility window it will either tell you that you are not associated or it will tell you that you are associated and it will list the name of the Access Point you are attached to. If you are associated to an Access Point then your wireless card is most likely operating correctly.
  3. You can examine the current configuration of your wireless client by opening the client configuration utility and selecting properties from the menus at the top of the window. This area allows you to configure settings such as the Service Set Identifier (SSID), power output, and if WEP is to be used or not.
Except in the circumstances described below, you should not have any entries for SSID. The campus configuration broadcasts the SSID value which the client should detect and use automatically. If you have a specific SSID entered it may prevent you from attaching to the campus system. In some cases you may have an SSID entered here if you used your wireless connection somewhere else (home, office, another campus, etc.) It is also possible that some client adapters may require an SSID (which they may also call a Network Identifier or some similar term). If for some reason you need to have this set, the campus system is using an SSID of ufw. The Cisco client allows the entry of multiple SSID entries so you would then enter the SSIDs of the other systems you intend to access as well. Other brands of clients may organize these settings by profiles.
The setting for WEP security should be turned off. If you have WEP enabled you will not be able to associate with the campus system as they are not configured to use WEP encryption.
  1. Open your client configuration utility and make sure your wireless adapter is turned on. If your adapter is turned off, the bottom of the client window will indicate this condition. If it is off, select the setting from the main menu that says 'Turn Radio On'.

VI. How do I get help?

The UF Wireless Networking Homepage and the UF Computing Help Desk offer assistance to UF students, faculty, or staff who need help accessing the campus wireless service. The UF Help Desk telephone number is 392-HELP (4357).