Introduction
IT Services manages a number of wireless hotspots
in designated areas on campus. The service enables
University students and staff to connect to the campus network using
laptops and other devices that support wireless connections.
The wireless network service provides university
students and staff access to:
- online information available on the University
intranet, including the Library catalogues and eSIMS,
and Internet;
- e-mail, and
- IT Services printing facilities.
Once connected to the wireless access point, users
can start using the service by first launching a web browser and
authenticating using their IT Services User Id. and password - see
further instructions below. There are no charges associated with use of
this service.
Locations
The wireless network service is available wherever
there is the Wireless Hotspot logo shown above. The wireless areas
currently available are:
and other locations are in the pipeline. The IT
Services is planning to deploy more wireless access points in other
communal areas on campus, both outside and within buildings, and
continues to invite departments to express their interest in proposing
locations, especially within their respective buildings. Requests
should be made through the head of department.
IT Services is also requesting that any departments
who may have already installed their own wireless access points, or who
are intending to install such access points, to register these access
points and their interest with the IT Services.
Connecting
& Printing
Users can connect to the wireless network provided
that their laptop has built-in wireless support (Centrino Technology)
or it has a properly installed 802.11b/g network card.
Configuration instructions to connect the laptop to
the wireless hotspots are available in this guide. The instruction
guide assumes that the laptop has Microsoft Windows XP installed.
Printing over the wireless network involves the
installation of the appropriate printer drivers on the laptop.
Instructions to install such drivers are available in this guide. This guide also
contains duplex and A3 printing instructions. Users will need to
purchase printing
credits from IT
Services Reception to be able to print over the wireless
network.
Security
Risks
The convenience associated with wireless hotspots
also brings SECURITY RISKS. Due to the nature of
wireless hotspots, data may travel unencrypted over the air. Users are
therefore advised to use secure services/sites especially when
transmitting personal data such as passwords, credit card numbers etc.
Secure services/sites include:
It should be noted data transmitted by most instant
messengers (e.g. MSN Messenger) travels unencrypted.
Apart from transmitting personal data through
secure sites, users are strongly encouraged to maintain the security of
their computer/s to the highest level possible. Users should:
- ensure that
the antivirus software is regularly updated;
- download & install patches (or hotfixes)
that are available for all software used on their computer/s;
- install a personal firewall program;
- install and regularly update anti-spyware software;
- treat all e-mail attachments, file downloads etc.
with caution;
- backup & remove critical/sensitive data
from their computer/s; and
- use strong passwords.
Detailed information about maintaining the security
of computers is available here.
Help
Queries
about the IT Services wireless access network should be directed here.
Last updated: 22-May-08
