Getting Connected
The WKU Wireless Network has been designed to provide ease of use for the majority of our clients while still retaining flexibility and advanced features for the more demanding clients. The network infrastructure is based on 802.11g wireless technologies, which is also backward compatible with legacy 802.11b wireless technology. Additionally, in some locations 802.11n wireless network access is now avaliable. We utilize several mechanisms to aid in authentication and security of the wireless network.
Assuming you are familiar with wireless networking and your particular hardware/software setup, the following steps will allow you to use the basic functionality of the WKU Wireless Network.
Hardware:
Clients typically make use of wireless networking with a laptop, but any device that is capable of 802.11b or 802.11g (recommended) wireless networking should function. In fact, we already have several PDA users utilizing the network from their 802.11b/g compliant Palm and PocketPC PDA.s. While any fully standards-compliant 802.11b/g card should work, there is no way we can test all of them. We have tested and know the following hardware to function properly with the network:
Software:
At this time, no specialized software is required for the basic services of the WKU Wireless Network. Newer operating systems have made utilizing wireless services easier than ever. It is recommend that your PC run Windows XP or newer, or if you are a Macintosh user, MacOS X or newer. Please make sure your operating system has all current recommended patches. If you have the appropriate hardware, these operating systems should already have the necessary tools to find and attach to the WKU Wireless Network. Due to the diversity of the software and platforms in use, there is no way to us to provide detailed instructions in the use of your wireless software. Please check with your vendor and/or help files included with your system. Wireless networking has grown considerably in use over the past few years, particular in home networking. Depending on your exact location it may be possible to pick up on other, non-WKU, wireless networks. Using the software specific to your system please be sure that you are connected to the 'WKU-WIRELESS' network.
The only other piece of software that is required in the process is a basic web browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. Any modern web browser should work for the authentication procedures described below.
Authentication:
To "log in" to the WKU Wireless Network, you will need to have your WKU Account information (username and password) available. When all the above hardware and software requirements have been met and you have attached to the 'WKU-WIRELESS' network you should be ready to authenticate so you can get access to the full features of the network. To complete this step, simply open the web browser of your choice and when you attempt to go to a web site you should be redirected to the WKU Wireless authentication page. *For typical user's web browser settings this should happen automatically as your web browser attempts to load your default home page. When prompted, enter your username and password, and press "Continue". Please note that all information transmitted by the WKU Wireless login page is encrypted. If you entered your valid credentials you should be allowed to continue and be automatically directed to your originally requested page.
If you have any questions or concerns about compatibility, please contact the helpdesk at ext. 270-745-7000.
Assuming you are familiar with wireless networking and your particular hardware/software setup, the following steps will allow you to use the basic functionality of the WKU Wireless Network.
- Make sure you are in an area covered by the WKU Wireless Network. For additional information refer to the Coveragepage.
- Using your software, discover and connect to the proper wireless network. Users in Academic or Administrative buildings should connect to 'WKU-WIRELESS', while users in Residential buildings should connect to 'WKU-RESIDENTIAL'.
- Open a web browser and attempt to browse to a site; you should be redirected to the WKU Wireless Authentication Page.
- Put in your WKU Account credentials (email username and password) and click the "Continue" button. If the credentials are valid you will be authenticated and will be able to utilize the WKU Wireless Network.
Hardware:
Clients typically make use of wireless networking with a laptop, but any device that is capable of 802.11b or 802.11g (recommended) wireless networking should function. In fact, we already have several PDA users utilizing the network from their 802.11b/g compliant Palm and PocketPC PDA.s. While any fully standards-compliant 802.11b/g card should work, there is no way we can test all of them. We have tested and know the following hardware to function properly with the network:
- Cisco Aironet Series cards. (Cisco Aironet AIR-CB21AG recommended)
- Orinoco 802.11b/g cards
- Embedded wireless network cards found in name brand computers such as Dell, IBM, Gateway, HP, etc.
Software:
At this time, no specialized software is required for the basic services of the WKU Wireless Network. Newer operating systems have made utilizing wireless services easier than ever. It is recommend that your PC run Windows XP or newer, or if you are a Macintosh user, MacOS X or newer. Please make sure your operating system has all current recommended patches. If you have the appropriate hardware, these operating systems should already have the necessary tools to find and attach to the WKU Wireless Network. Due to the diversity of the software and platforms in use, there is no way to us to provide detailed instructions in the use of your wireless software. Please check with your vendor and/or help files included with your system. Wireless networking has grown considerably in use over the past few years, particular in home networking. Depending on your exact location it may be possible to pick up on other, non-WKU, wireless networks. Using the software specific to your system please be sure that you are connected to the 'WKU-WIRELESS' network.
The only other piece of software that is required in the process is a basic web browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. Any modern web browser should work for the authentication procedures described below.
Authentication:
To "log in" to the WKU Wireless Network, you will need to have your WKU Account information (username and password) available. When all the above hardware and software requirements have been met and you have attached to the 'WKU-WIRELESS' network you should be ready to authenticate so you can get access to the full features of the network. To complete this step, simply open the web browser of your choice and when you attempt to go to a web site you should be redirected to the WKU Wireless authentication page. *For typical user's web browser settings this should happen automatically as your web browser attempts to load your default home page. When prompted, enter your username and password, and press "Continue". Please note that all information transmitted by the WKU Wireless login page is encrypted. If you entered your valid credentials you should be allowed to continue and be automatically directed to your originally requested page.
If you have any questions or concerns about compatibility, please contact the helpdesk at ext. 270-745-7000.