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What is wireless networking? |
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Wireless networking is the use of radio frequency signals to connect portable workstations - such as laptops or PDAs - to an Ethernet LAN. The concept is very similar to the way that a cordless phone works. The present standard for wireless Ethernet that we are implementing at Trinity is called 802.1x, called TrinAir. This authentication provides a secure connection. We also have the 802.11b standard Guest access which is less secure.
Today's wireless networks are composed of two primary components, an access point and a wireless PCMCIA adapter. An access point converts the "wired" Ethernet signals to radio waves and are typically installed in ceilings or mounted high in a wall. The wireless PCMCIA adapter looks and acts like a regular Ethernet card but the antenna protrudes slightly from the laptop and the battery life of the laptop is slightly decreased. |
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What public areas on campus have wireless access points? |
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- The Cave
- The Library: Funston Cafe, Reference Area (Level A), and the Periodical Reading Room
- Mather Dining Hall
- Mather Washington Room, Terrace Rooms, Alumni Lounge, Rittenberg Lounge
- Hamlin Hall (now an evening study area)
- Seabury 9-17 and rooms 14, 16, 39, 47, 49
- McCook building
- Life Sciences 1st floor classrooms and Boyer Auditorium
- Life Sciences Quad
- MCEC
- Tutorial College public areas
- Williams
- Writing Center
- Admissions Building Great Room
- Smith House
- 71 Vernon St.
- Trinfo Cafe
- Rome Campus (off campus site)
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What's the range of the signal? |
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The 802.1x standard wireless networking has a range of about 300 meters in a large open space, such as an auditorium, and about 100 meters in a typical indoor office environment. Transmission speeds decrease as the number of users increase and also as the distance between the laptop and the access point increases. |
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What can I do while connected via Wireless? |
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In general, a wireless connection works just like a wired Ethernet connection. You can use wireless for E-mail, Web browsing, Messenger applications (eg. AIM, ICQ, MSN messenger). You should not use wireless for streaming audio/video, very large downloads or websites that are graphically intensive.
Using the TrinAir 802.1x standard, you will have a secure connection and access to all campus services.
The Guest network is only for use by outsiders visiting the college. Faculty, staff and students should use TrinAir to connect to the wireless network. Faculty and staff can sponsor someone on the Guest network by creating a guest account for a visitor. The Help Desk can also provide guest accounts.
As far as speed goes, wireless access may be up to 11 megabits per second. This bandwidth, however, is shared among all users connected via Wireless in a given area. This means that network speeds may be noticeably slower when many people are using wireless, and generally will not be as fast as wired Ethernet. |
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So what will it cost me? |
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PCMCIA wireless networking cards range from $150 to $250. Make certain that you buy a card that's IEEE 802.11b-compliant and is "Wi-Fi" approved. Older 802.11 cards won't work with the TrinAir network. |
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What PCMCIA wireless cards are supported? |
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Any 802.11-compliant card with "Wi-Fi" certification should work, but we recommend you choose from the following list:
- 3Com's AirConnect
- Cisco's Aironet
- Apple's Airport
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What effect will a Wireless card have on my laptops battery life? |
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Wireless network cards contain a radio transmitter which, unfortunately, consumes a fair amount of battery power to send out its signal. Depending on the condition of your battery, wireless cards can reduce useful working time of a full battery charge by up to 50%. |
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How do I configure this card to make it work? |
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For the Cisco Aironet 340 cards |
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For the 3Com AirConnect 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC card |
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For the Apple Airport card |
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What places off campus have wireless access? |
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Locations containing access points that provide public wireless network services to visitors, also known as hotspots, are growing in number. To find hotspots in areas outside of Trinity, visit one of these sites: |
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