Connect to the UW Wireless Network via UWyo

Introduction

The University of Wyoming (UW) has installed wireless Ethernet networks, 802.11b and 802.11g, in many campus locations and continues to extend coverage as funding permits. 802.11a will also be offered in areas with high usage or interference in the 802.11b/g frequency range. Current UW wireless locations are available on the UW Wireless Locations Map page (www.uwyo.edu/infotech/wireless/map.htm).

The UWyo network is recommended for UW students, faculty, and staff.  UWyo uses a standard called 802.1x/WPA and is the most secure method of using the wireless network. When using UWyo, all data is encrypted so that other users of the wireless network cannot see your data. 

For information on other wireless options that provide an encrypted connection to the network, refer to the Tips section of this document. For additional information on the UW wireless network, see the UW Wireless Network FAQ (www.uwyo.edu/askit/displaydoc.asp?askitdocid=432&parentid=1).

NOTE: This document outlines the steps for setting up a UWyo wireless connection using Windows Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC), which is  the wireless management software native to Windows XP. If you choose to use a vendor provided software instead of WZC to configure your 802.1z/WPA connection, the process will differ, but the basic information should be consistent.

Note: If  your system comes preconfigured to use a vendor provided third party software instead of the Windows XP WZC and you'd rather use WZC, select to use the Windows client from the third party software (steps will differ for each third party software).

Key configuration information for UWyo (for manual configuration and non-Windows systems):
Network name (SSID): UWyo
Connection type: Infrastructure
Wireless security type: IEEE 802.1x authentication
Network (Access point) Authentication: WPA
Data encryption: TKIP
EAP type: Protected EAP (PEAP)
Authentication Protocol: Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)
Validate server certificate/Trusted Root Certification Authority: Equifax Secure Certificate Authority

NOTE: Prior to connecting to the UW wireless network, it is necessary for you to have installed and setup your wireless network adapter based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Information Technology does not support the installation or setup of personally owned hardware.

Procedure

NOTE: In order to use the UWyo wireless connection on Microsoft Windows, you should be running at least Windows XP with Service Pack 2.

These instructions are specific to Windows XP computers with the default Start menu view and Category View selected in the Control Panel.

1. Downloading and Extracting the UW Wireless Network Configuration Files

   1. Go to https://www.uwyo.edu/itsecuredocs/wireless/UWyo-wireless.zip. 
       
   2. When prompted for a username and password, enter your UWYO username and password, and click OK.
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   3. In the File Download window, click Save.
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   4. In the Save As window, in the Save in box, select Desktop from the list, and click Save.
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   5. In the Download Complete window, click Close.
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   6. On the Desktop, right-click the UWyo-wireless.zip folder, and click Extract All.
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   7. In the Welcome to the Compressed (zipped) Folders Extraction Wizard window, click Next.
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   8. In the Select a Destination window, click Next.
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   9. In the Extraction Complete window, verify the Show extracted files check box is selected, and click Finish.
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2. Configuring your Wireless Network Card to Use the UWyo Wireless Network
   
   NOTE: If you have configured the UWyo Wireless Network previously and are completing these steps to repair or reconfigure the connection, you must first delete the existing UWyo configuration by double-clicking the UWyo-delete.bat file in step 2.B., continue to the end of step 2, and then begin again at the start of step 2.

   1. If the UWyo-wireless folder/window is not open or does not open automatically, on the Desktop, double-click the UWyo-wireless folder (not the original zip folder icon).
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   2. In the UWyo-wireless folder/window, double-click UWyo-add.bat.
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   3.  In the black command window, when prompted Press any key to continue, press any key.   
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   4. Once the window closes, the configuration of UWyo is complete, and you will be prompted for your UWYO username and password the first time you connect to the UWyo network.
        
   5. You can now safely delete the UWyo-wireless.zip folder from your Desktop.
        
   6. You can move the UWyo-wireless folder to another more long-term location for later use; though you can always complete these steps again to re-download these files if you choose to delete this folder as well.
          

3. Verifying the UWyo Connection
    
   NOTE: It may be necessary to manually change the order of your preferred networks to place UWyo at the top of the list. (The last wireless network configured is by default the preferred network.  Users have the ability to change the reference order of the configured networks.)

   1. To determine what network you are connecting to, hover your mouse over the Wireless Network Connection icon beside your clock. If you are connected to the UWyo network, it will be listed as "Wireless Network Connection (UWyo)", and you do not need to continue further. 
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   2. Click the Wireless Network Connection icon next to your clock.
      
   3. In the Wireless Network Connection Status window, click View Wireless Networks.
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   4. In the Wireless Network Connection window, in the Related Tasks section, click Change the order of preferred networks.
      
      NOTE: In the Choose a wireless network section of this window, you will see the available wireless networks in your current location. If UWyo is not listed, it is not available.
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   5. In the Wireless Connection Properties window, in the Preferred networks section, verify UWyo (Automatic) is at the top of the list, and click OK.
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   6. If UWyo (Automatic) is not listed, repeat these instructions starting at step 2, or contact the IT Help Desk for assistance.

Tips

1. Other Wireless Options

   1. Encryption not provided: Using the UWguest network is another option for connecting to the UW wireless network. It is necessary only that you have an e-mail address in order to authenticate on the network. This option does not necessitate that you have a specific wireless adapter or that you have specific software installed. If you connect to the UWguest network, you will be prompted for your e-mail address the next time you attempt to connect to a Web page.
       
2. UW Faculty and Staff 
     
   1. To connect to UW resources on UWAPPS, click the Start menu button, click Run, and type \\uwapps. If prompted for a username and password, type your username in the form UWYO\username.
       
   2. To connect to a particular computer (like the computer in your office), click the Start menu button, click Run, and type \\computername\sharename. If prompted for a username and password, type your username in the form UWYO\username. Files may be transferred from one computer to the other.
       
   3. To map a drive from your wireless computer to a computer on the UW network, click the Start menu button, right-click on My Computer, and click Map Network Drive. In the Drive box, select a letter to use for this mapping, and in the Folder box, type the computer and/or share name in the format \\computername\sharename. Select the Reconnect at logon check box. Files may be transferred from one computer to the other.
      NOTE: If your computer is personally owned, is not a member of the UWYO domain, or you are not logging in to the computer with your UWYO username and password,  it may be necessary for you to click Connect using a different username. Type your username in the format UWYO\username, and then type in your password.
        
3. UW Students 
     
   1. To connect to your personal H:\ drive storage, click the Start menu button, click Run, and type \\Arthur\username$. When prompted for a username and password, type your username in the form UWYO\username. Files may be transferred between your computer and your personal storage.
       
   2. To map a drive to your personal H:\ drive storage, click the Start menu button, right-click on My Computer, and click Map Network Drive. In the Drive box, select a letter to use for this mapping, and in the Folder box, type  \\Arthur\username$. Select the Reconnect at logon check box, and then click Connect using a different username. Type your username in the format UWYO\username,  and then type in your password. Files may be transferred between your computer and your personal storage.

Reviewed: 1207 By: CD, RM