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Click a question below to see its answer:
Using the wireless network
Wireless cards
Connecting to the network
Problems
More
Q: Who can use the wireless network?
A: UCSD affiliates (faculty, staff, and students) and guests of the university can use the network.
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Q: Where can I use UCSD's wireless network?
A: Wireless service is available in most buildings and public areas at UCSD, and the UCSD Medical Center at Hillcrest.
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Q: Which Macintosh platforms does UCSD's wireless network support?
A: UCSD supports iBooks, iMacs, Powerbooks and PowerMacs.
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Q: Does it matter how many people are using the wireless network at one time?
A:
Yes. The network gets slower as more clients connect through the same wireless Access Point (AP). Our current wireless APs can connect up to 60 users at the same time.
Note: You will notice performance changes more easily on a wireless network than with a wired network connection.
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Q: Do You recommend a particular wireless Ethernet card? Which wireless card(s) are supported?
A: We support all Wi-Fi compliant cards. However, sometimes cards will not work successfully within our network, even when there are no obvious incompatibilities. For questions or problems with Wi-Fi cards, see your department systems administrator.
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Q: How do I register my wireless card permanently?
A: If you use a personal computer with a wireless card to connect frequently to the wireless network, you can register your wireless card so you won't need to log on each time.
The registration form will automatically record your wireless card's Media Access Control (MAC) address. If this does not happen, contact the ACT Help Desk.
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Q: How do I connect to the wireless network?
1. Follow the documentation on the Wireless Overview page to configure most systems, including PDAs. The main wireless card software configuration points are:
- Mode: Infrastructure (If your Mode/ Network Type choices are Access Point or Peer-to-Peer, select Access Point.
Note: If you use Windows XP, change the default setting to Infrastructure Only.
On a PC laptop:
- Click Start >
Settings > Network Connections.
- Right Click Wireless Network Connections in the list.
- Click Properties and select the Wireless Networks tab.
- Click Advanced near the bottom of the page.
- Highlight the radio button for Access point (infrastructure) networks only.
- Click Close.
- Click OK at the bottom of the Wireless Network Connection Properties page.
- Close the Network Connections window.
- SSID (network name): UCSD (all capital letters)
- No encryption on the campus wireless network
2. Register your
wireless card with ACT (not required for guest accounts).
3. Go to an area with wireless coverage, launch your Web browser, and attempt to connect to a non-UCSD Web site. Your browser will be redirected to the UCSD wireless page. Enter the information requested and click Logon User. Your browser will return to the page you originally tried to load.
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Q: Is there a charge for establishing a wireless connection?
A: You do not need to pay a service charge, but you do need to purchase a wireless Ethernet card.
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Q: Do I have to log on to the wireless authentication page every time I want to use the Internet?
A: No. After you establish a connection and register your
wireless card, your wireless authorization will last one year if you use use the network at least once every 30 days.
If the authentication system changes you may be prompted to log in before the year is up.
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Q: Can I do everything with a wireless connection that I could do with a wired connection?
A: No, not everything. Do not attempt to run a server from a wireless connection. Large file transfers are not appropriate from the wireless network. Wireless is an extension of the wired network, not a replacement.
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Q: How fast is a wireless connection?
A: Wireless provides a network connection slower than a wired Ethernet network. Many factors can affect the performance of the wireless network. The speed of your connection will drop as more users in your area connect.
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Q: Why can't I establish a connection to the UCSD wireless network? I don't have a problem with other wireless networks.
A: Your DNS server and search domain settings may be incompatible with the UCSD network. Some wireless Internet providers require certain settings configured for their network.
Before connecting to a new network, remove the DNS server and/ or search domain information from your wireless network preferences.
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Q: Why is my wireless connection disrupted more often than my wired network connection?
A: The dynamic nature of a wireless network's radio frequency is susceptible to obstructions such as walls, bookshelves, large metal objects, and trees. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, and plasma cutters also operate on the same frequency as the wireless access points and can cause interference as well. Misconfigured clients can also disrupt your wireless network connection.
Note: The wireless network is not intended as a replacement for the wired network. If you are working from a fixed location, you should use a traditional Ethernet connection.
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Q: What do I do if I'm getting poor signal strength?
A: If you're in a building where wireless is supported but you're not getting a good connection because of poor signal strength, you should report the location to your system administrator. Your system administrator will contact the wireless support team with detailed information about your situation.
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Q: Where can I get a wireless account for one to 10 people?
A: Visit the combined ACMS/ ACT Help Desk at 1313 AP&M (map), 8 a.m. — 4:30 p.m., weekdays, or call (858) 534-1853, 7 a.m. — 7 p.m., weekdays.
Visit Art of Espresso coffee cart on the south side of Mandeville Auditorium.
Hours of operation vary, but are usually 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., weekdays.
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Q: Where can I get a guest wireless account for conference attendees?
A: Contact the ACT Help Desk, (858) 534-1853. You'll receive a response within 48 hours.
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Q: Can I set my own wireless Access Point (AP) on campus?
A: Contact ACT before you install your own wireless AP on campus, to avoid potential interference with UCSD's wireless network. You cannot deploy any wireless AP other than the campus approved Avaya AP8. Any wireless APs not deployed by ACT or with ACT's permission can be taken off the network.
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Q: What is the difference between 42.x.x.x and 128.54.x.x IP?
A: 42.x.x.x addresses are assigned to unauthenticated machines or machines using guest access accounts. This minimizes malicious activity from compromised machines on the wireless network. 42.x.x.x addresses are not directly routable, but are routed to by the authentication system.
128.54.x.x addresses are assigned to UCSD affiliates (faculty, staff, students) with valid network usernames and passwords and authenticated machines. All machines receive a 42.x.x.x IP address until authenticated.
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Questions:
- Access, password, and computer configuration: Contact the ACT Help Desk, (858) 534-1853, or visit the combined ACMS/ ACT Help Desk at AP&M 1313 (map), 8 a.m. — 4:30 p.m., weekdays.
- Requests for departmental installation and repair of wireless networks: Complete a Customer Service Request (CSR), and choose wireless from the Select A Service menu.
- Specific departmental wireless networks: Contact the corresponding system administrators.
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