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About
the Xavier Wireless Network
Summary
Xavier
has a wireless network that spans the entire campus. To use the wireless network, you must
have either the Odyssey client software (preconfigured to connect) or must
setup Windows to connect to the network. If you are purchasing a new system, look for notebooks that
have an Intel Centrino chipset and Intel PRO/Wireless network
adapters.
Note:
Unauthorized,
open wireless devices are not permitted to maintain security. Do NOT
attempt to configure a wireless access point in your room. Our access points will detect
“rogue” access points (your AP) and will attempt to keep other wireless
users from connecting to them. Our
access points will also show (on a building blueprint) where the rogue
access points are connected using the Cisco Wireless Location
Appliance. Please do not attempt to
configure your own wireless, as it will negatively impact other’s wireless
use.
Frequently Asked Questions: -
General Information
What Wireless Cards wireless card should I get?
We
recommend purchasing a laptop with an Intel Centrino chipset and an Intel
PRO/Wireless adapter (i.e. 2200BG, 2915ABG, 3945ABG). Otherwise, if
you are adding wireless to an existing laptop, we recommend a either an
Intel PRO/Wireless MiniPCI adapter or a Cisco Aironet 802.11 a/b/g PCMCIA
expansion card. Our experience has been that other wireless adapters
do not have as strong of an antenna, so they do not work as well.
However, any wireless network card will work on the Xavier network, as long
as you are using the Odyssey client software.
What is the benefit of the Odyssey client software?
In
prior years, if you did not have a supported network card (as listed
above), you could not connect to the wireless network. This is
because most 'consumer' grade network cards do not have software support
for 'enterprise' grade wireless authentication and encryption. In
addition to a number of other features, Odyssey makes otherwise unsupported
client network cards compatible with our wireless network. This means
you do not the additional expense of purchasing a compatible network card.
What 802.11 Wireless Types are supported?
We
support: 802.11 a/b/g. 802.11 b support is being dropped during the
Summer of 2007. 802.11b will be dropped because it causes all 802.11g
users to get 11Mbs (rather than 54Mbs) signal when a 'b' client connects to
a wireless access point that has 802.11g users. The 'b' users cause
poorer performance for the 'g' users. You should look into getting a
new card if you have a 802.11b support only, and take advantage of the
performance benefits.
Should I get an 802.11a adapter? Is it worth the extra
cost?
This
is really your call. Since fewer people have an 802.11a wireless
card, getting one puts you onto a less congested wireless network.
What authentication and encryption types do you use?
We
are using enterprise grade 802.1x wireless network security, namely PEAP
and EAP-FAST with WPA/WPA2 (SSID: xavierwireless). Note: most consumer
grade wireless network cards (Linksys, Netgear, and other brands found at
consumer electronics stores like Best Buy and Circuit City) do not support
these authentication methods and will require the Odyssey client software
to connect. Note: these cards generally do not work as well as the
Intel PRO/Wireless and Cisco cards, which have stronger antennas.
What about my Apple Computer and OSX?
Apple
generally does a good job of following Cisco technologies. You will
not have a problem performing LEAP
authentication and connecting to our wireless network. An Odyssey
client will become available around Christmas. The installer and
documentation will be posted to this website once it is available.
This client enables you to connect with WPA2, AES, and EAP-FAST for
enhanced security benefits.
Can Linux clients use the Odyssey client to connect to the
wireless network?
The
Odyssey client software is supported on Red Hat Linux. An RPM package
is available for installation.
The Odyssey Client does not recognize my network adapter...
Please
contact the helpdesk and open a work order. This is generally a
software driver or hardware issue directly related to the functioning of
the wireless adapter.
Frequently Asked
Questions - Clean Access on the Wireless
What is Clean Access and why do I need to use it?
Clean
Access helps ensure that your PC meets the minimum requirements for
connecting to the Xavier network. Specifically, you need to have your
Windows patches and updates, in addition to having an up-to-date Anti-Virus
program running. This helps make the network more reliable, by
keeping it free of viruses, worms, and infected PCs.
What is the process for using Clean Access on the Wireless network?
After
you connect to the wireless, if you are using a Windows PC, you will need
to have the Clean Access Agent installed. Otherwise, when you open a
web browser and go to an non-Xavier website, you will be redirected to a
page where you can download and install the software. Once installed,
you should see the following screens after successfully connecting to the
wireless network:
What if my PC is not patched and up to date?
If
you computer does not have anti-virus software, or is missing critical
Windows patches, Clean Access will assist you with installing these
packages before you get onto the wireless network. You will only be
permitted to access the sites used for obtaining updates. Clean
Access will instruct you what to do.
Clean Access continually asks me to login, popping up again
just seconds after I had already logged on. What is the problem?
Clean
Access sees that you are connected to the wired and wireless networks at
the same time. Please choose one or the other. The Odyssey
client will automatically disable the wireless network card when you plug
in to the wired network, preventing this from occurring.
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