1. What is wireless networking?
2. Where is wireless available?
3. What are the benefits of wireless?
4. How do I find out my wireless hardware (a.k.a. mac) address?
5. How do I enable my wireless card on a Windows computer?
6. How do I configure my Mac OS X computer for wireless?
7. Does my wireless connection replace my wired (Ethernet) connection?
8. How can I troubleshoot my wireless connection?
9. What rules and regulations apply to the use of the wireless network?
10. How can I get help with my wireless connection?
11. Where can I find more information on wireless at Princeton?

What is wireless networking?
As the name implies, wireless networking is a means of connecting to the campus data network that does not require a cable connecting your computer to a wallbox. Instead, using technology similar to that used by digital cellular phones, your computer sends and receives data via high-frequency radio waves. This gives students with Dormnet subscriptions and wireless-enabled computers the ability to connect wirelessly to the campus network and the Internet.

Where is wireless available?
Wireless networking is available in all undergraduate dormitories and throughout campus. Graduate students should refer to Solution 9755 for specific building information. For a complete wireless coverage map encompassing the University, see: www.princeton.edu/wirelessmap.

What are the benefits of wireless?
Wireless networking allows a registered computer with a wireless network card to connect to the Princeton network and the Internet, without needing to plug in to an Ethernet jack. This includes surfing the web, accessing your H:\ drive, printing to cluster printers, and using e-mail and instant messaging. Wireless networking gives you greater flexibility in where and when you compute.

How do I find out my wireless hardware address?
You will need to know the wireless hardware address of your computer, and make sure that it is registered in the Hostmaster Database. SCI computer purchasers can skip this step.

How do I enable my wireless card on a Windows computer?
See kb.princeton.edu/9539

How do I configure my Mac OS X computer for wireless?
See kb.princeton.edu/9729

How can I troubleshoot my wireless connection?
Disruption to the institutional wireless service can be caused by personal wireless access points such as Apple AirPort, Cisco Aironet, and Dell Truemobile products. Additionally devices such as 2.4Ghz cordless phones can cause such disruptions. Accordingly, Princeton dormitory residents are advised to avoid use of such devices.

OIT Wireless Service suffers more service disruptions than OIT Ethernet. Due in part to the relative newness of wireless technology, wireless problems take longer to identify and resolve, and though we use top-of-the-line Wireless Access Points to provide OIT Wireless Service, these devices are not as reliable as the Ethernet switches we use to provide OIT Ethernet Service. The Wireless Access Points tend to crash and reboot more often.

To troubleshoot a weak signal, or no signal, in your dorm, see: Troubleshooting weak or no wireless signal in your dorm room. Please report any wireless outage (that is, a complete and sustained loss of signal, even after restarting your computer) to the OIT Help Desk (8-HELP, Option 1, or helpdesk@princeton.edu).

Does my wireless connection replace my wired (Ethernet) connection?
In a word, no. Just as most cell phone users keep their land lines, wireless in Princeton's dorms is best used as a complement to wired networking, not as a replacement. There are a number of reasons for this.

• Speed and reliability of wireless connections
  Wireless connections are less reliable than wired (Ethernet) connections, in part because, like any radio signal, they are vulnerable to interference from certain obstacles and other radio devices - such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, building walls, or even a person walking by. Again, Ethernet is not subject to such interference.
  
  Furthermore, transfer speeds are considerably slower with wireless than they are with Ethernet. When you use your wireless connection, your computer is "talking" to the network via a wireless access point - a radio transceiver - whose bandwidth, or data flow capacity, is being shared by however many computers happen to be within its range. While the slowdown is usually negligible for applications like e-mail, web browsing, and instant messaging, you are likely to notice a significant difference when viewing or transferring especially large files. Ethernet, by contrast, provides a single line dedicated to your computer's connection, resulting in much faster downloads and uploads. More information on wireless performance and reliability: http://www.net.princeton.edu/oit-wireless-service.html#reliable
  
  OIT recommends that you use your Ethernet connection for downloading large or important files.

• Wireless security
  Since wireless transmits your information over the open airwaves, it is very easy for someone to intercept, or even modify, your information en route. With Ethernet, interception usually requires a physical connection to some part of the network across which your data flows. If you do decide to use wireless to transmit sensitive information, you should use software that uses strong encryption, and you should only transmit information wirelessly to web sites that use strong encryption - generally those showing "https://" (note the "s") in the Address Bar of your web browser. (This is a good rule to follow no matter what type of connection you are using - but especially important with wireless.) More information on wireless security: http://www.net.princeton.edu/oit-wireless-service.html#security

What rules and regulations apply to the use of Princeton's wireless network?
All of the same regulations apply to using Princeton's wireless network as apply to its Ethernet network. These include Princeton's Information Technology Guidelines, as well as computing-relevant items in Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities. The University's core IT policy document states:

"Individual members of the campus community who elect to install wireless access points must assure that their operation will not disrupt University wireless network service."

as well as

"Wireless access service is provided by the University in campus dormitories and some University-owned off-campus apartments. Some commonly used appliances, for example certain cordless telephones and most microwave ovens, operate at a frequency that could interfere with wireless network service. Personal wireless access points also can cause such interference. If a device interferes significantly with the University’s residential wireless network service, the owner may be required to relinquish use of the device in the residence. Malicious use of any such device to disrupt network service will be considered a serious violation of University regulations."

For more information, see:

• Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities: www.princeton.edu/rrr
• Information Technology Guidelines: www.princeton.edu/guidelines

Where can I find more information on wireless at Princeton?

• For general information on wireless at Princeton, including links to configuration instructions and a wireless coverage map, see www.princeton.edu/wireless
• How to register your computer for the Princeton network (including both wired and wireless), see www.princeton.edu/dormnet
• Wireless: Troubleshooting weak or no wireless signal in your dorm room
• For technical information on wireless networking at Princeton, see http://www.net.princeton.edu/oit-wireless-service.html.

How can I get help with my wireless connection?
For in-room help setting up your wireless connection, contact one of your Residential Computing Consultants (RCCs). See www.princeton.edu/rcc to learn who your RCCs are.

For help with your wireless connection, please contact the OIT Help Desk by calling 8-HELP (Option 1) or sending an e-mail to helpdesk@princeton.edu.