FAQs: Wireless Networking

End Users

How do I get connected to the wireless network?
What is the campus wireless network name?
Where do I get the software?
Why do I have to install software to get on the wireless?
Can I connect wired too?
What is a uNID?
I am a guest to the University, can I use the wireless too?
What operating systems are supported by the wireless network?
Can I print with my laptop?
Can I access the network using a Wi-Fi enabled PDA?
Can I use Napster, Gnutella, KaZaA, or any other peer-to-peer filesharing software?
Is my wireless secure?
How do I get help if I have a problem?
Are there any restrictions when using wireless?
What protocols does the wireless network support?
I'm a Mac user and I'm getting a message about an 'eapolclient' - why?
What are the risks of using wireless?
I don't like something, to whom can I complain?
What spectrums does uconnect support?
How do I change my uNID password in my wireless configuration on my device?

Network Admins

What is the campus standard for deploying a wireless network?
What central wireless services are offered to campus departments?
What kind of networking equipment will I have to upgrade?
Do I need to register my wireless network?
Do you provide wireless engineering services?
Are there known wireless card issues?

End Users

How do I get connected to the Wireless network?

Most campus departments are deploying 802.1X for wireless authentication. For these departments, you will need a wireless 802.1X client installed on your computer. Some departments are not providing this form of authentication. See the Wireless Network Name question for more details.

Windows does come with an 802.1X client, but it does not provide the necessary functionality to use the University of Utah wireless network. Third-party clients are available for most Windows operating systems. Mac OS 10.3 does provide a sufficient client for connecting, and there is a client available for Linux users. You can see clients available to you for free download on the Wireless Clients page.

What is the campus wireless network name?

There are three official campus wireless network names that may be available to you. The first, more secure, and recommended network is "uconnect.utah.edu". This network uses 802.1X/WPA for security and authentication, and we recommend using it when possible. It has unlimited bandwidth and allows users to access IP-restricted campus resources.

The second campus network, which is much less secure, and only recommended if you cannot connect to uconnect, is "insecure.utah.edu", also called WANA (Web-Authenticated Network Access).

The last campus network, "hotspot," is not encrypted and is bandwidth-limited. Users cannot access restricted campus resources from it. It is intended for guests and brief visitors to the U campus.

Where do I get the software?

You can download the software from the Wireless clients page. Please note that you will need to be on-campus, or use campus-dialup or VPN services to access and download this software, since it's use is limited to University of Utah students/faculty/staff. You can download the clients using WANA to connect to the wireless network.

You will also need to configure your client using the Wireless Software Instruction webpages. These pages can be accessed from on, or off campus.

Why do I have to install software to use the wireless network?

A software installation is required to access the University of Utah wireless network only if you are using a PocketPC, or Windows based laptop, or if you are running an older version of Mac OS X (10.2.x), or a Linux distribution that does not come with an 802.1X client pre-installed.

Since the 802.1X wireless system went into place, we have made every effort to listen to the feedback of users to make things work better, so please continue to give us feedback if you don't like something about the system.

Can I connect wired, too?

Wired connections are possible in some locations, but the method of authentication will vary depending on the department.

The following departments do provide wired access:

Business
Marriott Library
Residence Halls

What is a uNID?

A University Network ID is a piece of information that uniquely identifies you on the University of Utah network for various computing services. A Network ID is also known as a uNID, username, login name or User ID. All students, faculty, and staff at the University of Utah receive a University Netword ID. For more information on uNIDs, please visit the uNID FAQ page.

I'm a guest to the University - can I use the wireless network?

Yes, guest access is available with a Guest Network ID or gNID. Please see the gNID webpage for details.

What operating systems are supported for the wireless network?

The following operating systems are officially supported:

Mac OS X 10.2.x, 10.3.x
Windows XP/Vista
PocketPC 2002/2003
Windows Mobile 5 and 6

Linux is not officially supported, due to funding constraints, but Linux users might be happy to know that the Linux 802.1X client (http://www.open1x.org) is being developed, in part, by members of the wireless committee, so we definitely have your interests in mind. If you have questions you should probably post to the Open1x mailing lists, and we'll be sure to help you out! (BSD isn't currently supported, but the Open1x group would like some BSD programmers to help out with *BSD ports.)

Can I print with my laptop?

Printing is not currently supported, but options to make it possible for users to print are being considered.

Can I access the network with a wi-fi enabled PDA?

Yes, Pocket PC 2002/2003-based PDAs are currently supported. See the Wireless Client Download page for more information.

Can I use Gnutella, Kazaa, or other peer-to-peer software?

Use of any and all software is governed by the Campus Information Resources Policy (PPM 1-15). This can be found at http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/1/1-15.html. More information about violations of copyright via peer-to-peer software is available in the July 2005 IT News.

Is my wireless secure?

The uconnect.utah.edu network, which requires a wireless client, is as secure as possible. It uses 802.1X/WPA/WPA2. These are authentication and encryption IEEE networking standards that enhance overall user experience and provide increased security. The wireless environment at the University of Utah campus was designed with the security of our users in mind, and we will continue to do what we can to provide the most secure possible experience for our users.

If you are using the "insecure.utah.edu" (WANA) network, your initial authentication is secure, but your traffic may not be! Using uconnect.utah.edu when possible is recommended.

How do I get help if I have a problem?

You can submit a wireless trouble ticket through the Campus Help Desk at (801) 581-4000 option 1. Additionally, the Marriott Library Multimedia Center provides walk-in wireless setup and support.

Are there restrictions to using the wireless network?

Use of the campus wireless services is goverened by the Campus Information Resources Policy (PPM 1-15). Additionally, individual departments may have specific requirements to help limit interference and bandwidth consumption on their networks.

What protocols does the wireless network support?

Nearly every wireless location on campus will support, at a minimum, 802.11b networking. Many departments support 802.11g as well, and a few also support 802.11a (Marriott Library and Engineering, for instance).

In addition, the uconnect.utah.edu network uses 802.1x/WPA.

I'm a Mac user and I'm getting a message about an 'eapolclient' - why?

If you get a message ‘eapolclient wants to use your confidential information…’ when configuring your Mac for campus wireless, the eapolclient is used by Mac OS X to connect to 802.1x secured wireless networks (the campus uconnect network ), and is safe.

What are the risks of using wireless?

Wireless connections are inherently less secure than wired connections. If you are not using a secure network or a VPN, your traffic may be easily intercepted by hackers.

Additionally, Windows laptops with wireless cards that use Broadcom device drivers (Broadcom chips are used in machines from HP, Dell, Gateway, and eMachines) are directly vulnerable to the attack that has gotten so much press on Macintosh wireless. You are vulnerable if your wireless card is turned on, even if you are not connected to a wireless access point. More information on this vulnerability is at www.it.utah.edu/services/helpDesk/connectedhelp/wirelesscards.html. New, more secure drivers are expected, so be aware and watch for updates.

If I don't like something, to whom can I complain?

In general, complaints can be directed at the Campus Help Desk at (801) 581-4000, or at the Marriott Library Multimedia Center help desk.

What spectrums does uconnect support?

The University of Utah deploys wireless connectivity via the 802.11a and g spectrums. 802.11 g is backwards-compatible with 802.11 b.

Network Admins

What is the campus standard for deploying a wireless network?

The University of Utah has decided on 802.1x/WPA as a campus-wide wireless access standard. 802.1x/WPA is an authentication and encryption method for wired and wireless networks, and an IEEE networking standard that enhances overall user experience and provides increased security. 802.1x/WPA requires the installation of client software. This network is called uconnect.utah.edu.

As of August 2007, "Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol" (PEAP) authentication is available for many devices to connect via their built-in wireless clients (no software required). Additionally, supported (free) clients are available for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Once the client software is installed and configured, the laptop machine seeks an 802.1x/WPA compliant network and automatically authenticates the user on to the network. The authentication and the session are both encrypted.

What central wireless services are offered to campus departments?

The Office of Information Technology is providing the infrastructure to create a seamless wireless environment using 802.1x/WPA/WPA2 standards for all campus wireless users. Departments who choose to be a part of the campus wireless initiative do not have to purchase backbone equipment, but do need to deploy a system compatible with the approved infrastructure.

Department wireless networks which meet campus standards can access the campus insecure.utah.edu and uconnect.utah.edu networks. Support includes access to the Campus Help Desk during regular weekly business hours for client installation support and troubleshooting for connection issues for end-users and LAN Admins.

What kind of networking equipment will I have to upgrade?

Hubs and old switches may need to be upgraded. Contact the Campus Help Desk to be connected to a Network Engineer for an evaluation.

Do I need to register my wireless network?

Yes. ISO requires that all wireless access points on campus are registered. You can register by going to: http://www.it.utah.edu/services/networking/wireless/wapreg.html.

Do you provide wireless engineering services?

Yes. We can provide consulting services for wireless or other networking needs. Please contact your Account Executive for more information:

Jan Lovett for lower campus departments: 585-5307 or jan.lovett@utah.edu,
Josh Wall for all other departments: 581-5444 or jwall@netcom.utah.edu.

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