IT Assist
The University of Sydney
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Wireless Information and Setup

Wireless Setup Guides

 

The basic wireless connection has restricted access to the wireless setup pages and most on-campus secure (https) sites. E.g. The university's secure web mail service is available and learn-on-line (WebCT) is available.
In order to access the Internet you will need to download and run the Cisco VPN Client. In the table below are links to the different versions of the wireless setup guides.

Operating System

HTML Version

PDF Version

Windows XP HTML Version PDF Version             
Windows Vista 32 Bit              HTML Version PDF Version
Windows Vista 64 Bit Not Supported/No Available Client N/A
Mac OS X HTML Version PDF Version
Linux N/A. Click here for Cisco VPN Download page           N/A
PDAs Not Supported/No Available Client N/A

Who can use the network?

 

The University wireless network is available to all members of the University. You will need to have a UniKey account to get to websites other than the wireless site.

Use of the University wireless network implies your acceptance of the Code of Conduct You must not continue to use the University wireless network if you do not agree to these conditions.


Configuring your computer

 

University access points use the 802.11b "wifi" standard. You will need a notebook equipped to support this standard. Many recent notebook computers are sold "wireless ready" and will work with the University network. For older notebooks you may need to acquire a wireless card. Cards which only support 802.11a will not work on the University network. Cards which support 802.11b or 802.11g are compatible.

The teminology used with wireless cards varies significantly between systems. In configuring wireless on your computer you will therefore need to choose those options which best match the following information.

  • The University wireless network does not use the standard in-built 802.11 security.
  • Data encryption must be "disabled".
  • Network authentication should be "open" not "shared". [No network keys or certificates are required.]
  • Your wireless connection should not be connected to a "bridge".
  • Do not allow interconnection sharing - don't allow others to access the Internet through your computer.
  • Your Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties should be set to use DHCP
    This can be achieved by choosing a setting such as:
    obtain your IP address (and DNS server address) automatically; or
    use a server-assigned IP address
  • Do not set your wireless connection to ad hoc or computer-to-computer.
    Choose instead (if the options are available) connect to access point only, or infrastructure.
  • University wireless network access points have names (SSIDs) with the format usyd-XXX where the XXX is the building number or the zone that the access point is located in. Leave the SSID blank during configuration if possible.
  • If you are asked "does this connection access the Internet?", indicate that it does.