Main Page Frequently Asked Questions Getting Started Current Wireless Locations

Where can I get a wireless card for my PC?

What is the difference between 802.11 and 802.11a/b/g?

How many people can there be on the wireless network at once?

How fast is the wireless network?

Does using the wireless network place additional drain on my laptop's battery?

Can I use a PDA with the wireless network?

Where can I get a wireless card for my PC?

You must purchase a 802.11 compatible card for it to work with our network. The University wireless network supports the 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g protocols.

You can buy a card from an assortment online vendors such as PC Connection, CDW, and Mobile Planet or in-store locations like Best Buy and CompUSA just to name a few.

When purchasing wireless products, please keep in mind that personal access points and base stations are not permitted on campus. They may interfere with the university's wireless network.

What is the difference between 802.11 and 802.11a/b/g?

The 802.11b wireless protocol supports transmission rates up to 11Mbps.

The 802.11g (which is what our campus is being converted to) supported rates up to 54Mpbs. More information about wireless technology can be found here.

How many people can there be on the wireless network at once?

It all depends on how those people are using the network.

The traffic in each wireless area is controlled by an access point. Under normal conditions, an access point can handle traffic from several dozen users at once. But, each access point can handle only so much traffic at any one time. If there's too much traffic in one area, the network will become slow.

It's important to remember that it's the total amount of data being moved back and forth that matters. Just a few individuals could bog down an access point if each person is moving very large files. You should always be considerate of other users and refrain from engaging in any "data-intensive" operations while you're on the wireless network.

How fast is the wireless network?

Under normal conditions, the wireless network transfers data at about 4 to 5 Mbps, which is much faster than a 56k modem (which transfers data at about .056 Mbps) but slower than an ethernet/ResNet connection (which transfers data at about 10 Mbps).

Your physical distance from the access point will have a bearing on your connection speed. The closer you are to an access point the better, so you'll probably see better speeds at the center of a wireless area than at its periphery.

It's important to remember that the number of people using a particular access point affects the network's speed.

Does using the wireless network place additional drain on my laptop's battery?

Yes. Expect a hit on battery life when using a wireless card in a laptop. How much of a drain on battery life varies according to model of laptop and battery. Obviously, how much you're using the laptop will have a big effect, too. Your operating system and the software you installed with your card will probably have utilities for conserving battery life.

Can I use a PDA with the wireless network?

Yes. PDAs running Pocket PC 2002 or 2003 and equipped with 802.11 compliant radios will operate on the University wireless network.