Wireless Networking - FAQ
University Computing and Communications Services
6/25/04

 

A. GENERAL:

  1. What is a wireless network?
  2. What is the name of Georgia State's wireless network?
  3. What operating systems are supported on the wireless network?
  4. How secure is the wireless network?
  5. Is wireless coverage live all the time?
  6. What are designated "hotspots?"
  7. Can I use the wireless network from my cell phone?
  8. Why do I occasionally get disconnected - without warning - from the wireless network?
  9. Why do you show the location of the wireless hubs rather than the actual coverage area?
  10. Is it realistic to expect the same throughput as our wired network?
  11. Why do certain phones or other devices disrupt the wireless network?
  12. Using the wireless network runs down my battery quickly. What can I do?
  13. What are the "rules and regulations" for using the wireless network?
  14. Where can I get technical support?
  15. How do I log out when using web-access?
  16. Can I log into the wireless network on more than one device at a time?

B. EQUIPMENT:

  1. What equipment - hardware/software - do I need to use the wireless network?
  2. Does Georgia State provide hardware for purchase?
  3. Does Georgia State offer wireless network cards at discount or on loan?
  4. Does Georgia State furnish laptops on campus for wireless use?

 

A. 1.What is a wireless network?
A wireless network is a network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes. It allows mobile users to connect to a local area network through a wireless (radio) connection. This type of networking is viewed as a data communication system that can extend or enhance a wired network. It provides connectivity where wiring is unavailable, impractical, or cost prohibitive.

A. 2. What is the name of Georgia State's wireless network?
Georgia State's wireless network is named CatChat.

A. 3. What operating systems are supported on the wireless network?
Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows XP, Pocket PC (CE2002), and Macintosh OS X are supported.

A. 4. How secure is the wireless network?
The documentation provided on this site requires the encrypted CISCO IPSec VPN client (available in downloads). Computers configured for wireless networking using this client are secure. If you use an unencrypted method, such as PPTP, your network connection is not secure.

A. 5. Is wireless coverage live all the time?
Yes, wireless coverage is live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the designated "hotspots."

A .6. What are designated "hotspots?"
Designated "hotspots" are geographic areas where you can generally expect to have "CatChat" connectivity. Due to the nature of wireless signal propagation and its interaction with external elements (weather, time of day, physical blockages), it is possible to have intermittent, and inconsistent, CatChat coverage outside of the designated hotspots.

A. 7. Can I use the wireless network from my cell phone?
No, the wireless network is not accessible from a cell phone.

A. 8. Why do I occasionally get disconnected - without warning - from the wireless network?
Any wireless network connection is prone to disruption by outside interference sources (RF outputs from wireless phones, wireless microphones, wireless video systems, microwave ovens, industrial motors, transformers, etc). Unfortunately, sporadic loss of connectivity, without warning, must be expected while using the wireless network. For this reason, we advise against using a wireless connection for any purpose that requires a guaranteed connection.

A.9. Why do you show the location of the wireless hubs rather than the actual coverage areas?
 We show the wireless hub locations instead of the actual coverage areas because it is not possible to accurately convey where the actual coverage begins and ends. There are many environmental and equipment factors that affect the coverage area, speed, and quality of a connection: the distance a user is from the wireless hub, the specific type of end-user device being used, the brand of wireless card installed, any construction underway in the area, or even blockage caused by the location of office filing cabinets or other semi-stationary objects.

A.10. Is it realistic to expect the same throughput as our wired network?
No, throughput on a wireless network varies according to where you are located, and who else is using the network at the same time. The campus standard for a minimum speed network connection is Megabits per second for every jack; it is a dedicated switched connection that is down-linked to the network core with even higher speed connections. Compare to a Wi-Fi compliant 802.11b wireless network that uses a shared access connection. Here, you share the connection with anyone else associated with that access point at the same time as you. Consequently, if two people are sharing a hub, you may get only half the theoretical speed (or less), if there are four people on the hub, you get one fourth, and so on. Additionally, the throughput of most wireless adapters is significantly lower than wired connections at optimal distances from the access point; throughput decreases as the distance from the access point increases.

A.11. Why do certain phones or other devices disrupt the wireless network?
The wireless network uses a signal at the 2.4 GHz radio frequency. 2.4 GHz phones (or other devices) also use that frequency, and can cause disruptions to the network if the phones are used in the vicinity of a wireless workstation. (900 MHz phones are not an issue.)

A.12. Using the wireless network runs down my battery quickly. What can I do?
Wireless cards are "power hungry" when running off battery power (they consume from 15-30% of the battery during operation). To optimize your power, turn-off or remove the wireless card from the unit when you are not using the wireless network. Your wireless adapter uses considerable power when it is plugged in, even if you are not actively using the wireless network. Follow your operating system directions for inserting and ejecting the wireless adapter; removing and inserting the card improperly can cause problems.

Note: Some wireless cards have a "turn off radio" option that stops the battery drain. If your card has this option, you can use it instead of removing the card.

A.13.What are the "rules and regulations" for using the wireless network?
Your use of the Georgia State wireless network is governed by the Georgia State University Computer Ethics Policy.

A.14. Where can I get technical support?
If you have questions, or need assistance, please contact the Help Center (404-651-4507 or help@gsu.edu).
Faculty and Staff may also contact Operations (404-651-2659, or G-8 Library South).

A. 15. How do I log out when using web-access?
Logout is automatic; when you exit the browser, you will be automatically disconnected after a preset number of minutes. Currently, automatic log out occurs 5 minutes after a user closes the browser.

A. 16. Can I log into the wireless network on more than one device at a time?
No, you should only log into the wireless network on one device at a time.

B. 1. What equipment - hardware/software - do I need to use the wireless network?
To use the wireless network, you will need a mobile access device (such as a laptop or PDA), a Wi-Fi compliant wireless card, and an IPSec VPN client. Users must provide the access device and wireless card. The IPSec VPN client is provided in the Downloads section of the Wireless Networking page. (If you follow the documentation provided on this site for creating a wireless connection, the CISCO IPSec VPN client will be installed as part of the process.)

B. 2. Does Georgia State provide hardware for purchase?
No, Georgia State does not provide hardware for purchase.

B. 3. Does Georgia State offer wireless network cards at discount or on loan?
No, at this time there is no program in place to provide wireless cards at discount or on loan.

B. 4. Does Georgia State furnish laptops on campus for wireless use?
Yes, the library offers laptops (equipped with standard and wireless network cards) for checkout to any currently enrolled student. To checkout a laptop, visit the Library Circulation Desk and present your Panther ID card.

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