Wireless (802.11) FAQ
Please note: Some of the answers given here are intended for the technically savvy. If you are not somewhat technical, you may want to get help from the Technical Support group (telephone 262-6266) or your departmental computer consultant.
- Q) How can I use my wireless device if it ONLY supports WEP?
- A) Because WEP is not secure, it is no longer supported.
- Q) Why does my wireless device disconnect and reconnect when it is idle for an extended period of time?
- A) Wireless devices that are idle for extended periods of time may experience frequent disconnect and reconnects if they block ICMP protocol traffic. Several personal firewalls (including XP SP2) by default deny incoming ICMP requests. This can result in dropped sessions and DHCP problems. If you experience these problems on the wireless network, make sure your personal firewall is configured to allow incoming ICMP requests (TCP port 445 – or echo requests).
- Q) What does 802.11 a, b and g mean?
- A) See http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/8/802_11.html for definitions of 802.11.
- Q) Where can I get additional information about the Appalachian wireless network?
- A) The wireless information index is located at http://wireless.nics.appstate.edu/
- Q) What buildings at Appalachian have wireless network access presence?
- A) See Wireless Coverage Guide for a list of buildings with wireless presence.
- Q) Do you need to register wireless Ethernet MAC addresses like you do wired ones?
- A) Yes.
- Q) How do I get the current wireless Network ID?
- A) You must log into the wireless information page with a valid ASU login name (computer user id) and password. http://wireless.nics.appstate.edu/ .
- Q) Can you tell me a little about the new Aruba wireless network?
- A) See the Aruba Wireless Guide
- Q) Should my 802.11b or g wireless client use short or long preambles?
- A) Short preamble. Most newer wireless clients use short preambles automatically or have an option to use them. If not you should either update your wireless interface driver or wireless interface to support short preambles.
- Q) Who should use the “asu-visitor” wireless ssid?
- A) This ssid is for casual University visitor wireless access only. To make setup and use as easy as possible, this ssid is not encrypted. It provides absolutely no form of encryption or privacy. It should only be used by University visitors that do not have a valid ASU login name (computer user id) and requires non-private network access. It must never be used to perform official University business. Visitor users of this id who wish privacy must use client VPNs or other SSL client encryption methods such as HTTPS and SSH.
- Q) What happens if I use a false email address when logging into the asu-visitor ssid captive portal?
- A) If an invalid email address is used repeatedly; the wireless device may be banned from the Appalachian wireless network. If the wireless device is banned, it will not work on any Appalachian wireless network. To be removed from a banned status you must contact the Network Infrastructure and Control Systems office and explain why the device repeatedly used an invalid email address in the asu-visitor log on process.
Updated 8/22/2008
