What is Wireless?
What kind of computer and operating system do I need to connect?
Is Wireless Safe?
How can a
guest access the UTEP wireless network?
What kind of card should I
purchase?
Where can I access
the UTEP wireless web?
Can I bring my own access point and hook it up to the UTEP network?
How can my department
become wireless?
Can the UTEP IT department help me if I am having problem with my wireless
device?
Can I access Goldmine, Banner and BIS from a wireless connection?
What should I
look for when buying a wireless card?
What if my question isn't answered here or I have a more technical question?
What is Wireless?
The UTEP - IT department is deploying a wireless communication network using
the 2.4 GHz license free band. The wireless network allows users with an
802.11b or g compatible card to connect to our network while they are on select
locations around campus. These locations can be found
here. The wireless connection is free to all
UTEP students with a valid UTEP e-mail account.
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What kind of computer and operating system do I need to connect to the UTEP
Wireless Network?
Any computer and operating system that supports an 802.11b or g card will work.
Systems running Linux, Apple OS, Palm, older versions of Windows and Pocket PC
have all worked on our campus environment however we can not troubleshoot
wireless problems in other operating systems other than Windows 2000 and XP.
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Is Wireless Safe?
Wireless is inherently not a safe medium to transfer data. We realize
this and have added a security gateway that encrypts your Miners Account
information when you login, thus making your miner account information safe.
Most "secure" websites such as credit card companies, bank websites and even
UTEP Webmail and Goldmine use encryption to transfer data. Hypothetically
a sophisticated hacker with the proper equipment can view your unencrypted
network activity while using the UTEP wireless network, thus it is recommended
that you exercise caution when accessing non-encrypted resources on the UTEP
wireless network. Banner and BIS are prohibited using the UTEP wireless
network. The UTEP IT department can create a VPN account that will encrypt
all network traffic on the wireless network for you.
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How can a guest
access the UTEP wireless network?
Yes, a department must first sponsor the guest and the guest will be given a
temporary guest account on the system. Guest accounts must be set up at
least 1 week prior to the guest visiting campus. To set up a guest account
contact the UTEP Help Desk.
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What kind of card should I
purchase?
Although any 802.11b or g card theoretically can work on the UTEP wireless
network, we have had some issues with certain vendors. We have
successfully configured cards on the UTEP network made by Orinoco, Proxim,
Cisco, D-Link and Linksys.
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Where can I access the
UTEP wireless web?
Check out our coverage map to see where we have
successfully installed access points.
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Can I bring my own access point and hook it up to the UTEP network?
NO! Hooking up an access point violates our UTEP
Network Policy. Violators of this policy will have their ports
disabled and can have their Access Points confiscated by the UTEP IT
department.
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How can my department
become wireless?
Contact the UTEP Help Desk or check the future
expansion page. We might already have plans to make your
area wireless. If not, we can give you a quote for wireless access.
We will perform a site survey and access your needs.
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Can the UTEP IT department help me if I am having problem with my wireless
device?
YES! Go to the Client Configuration page for
details.
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Can I access Banner and BIS from a wireless connection?
NO! If you need to access the student information system through wireless
try using the goldmine web interface. If you require advanced features
contact the UTEP Help Desk. We will work with you to secure this
information. Violators of this policy not only violate the UTEP IT policy,
but also UT Systems Policy and Texas State policy.
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What should I
look for when buying a wireless card?
Buy a card from a reputable company. Many inexpensive wireless cards made
from generic vendors do not work well. Look for a card that supports
802.11b or 802.11g.
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What if my question isn't answered here or I have a more technical question?
Contact the UTEP Helpdesk and they will assist you.
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