This document explains how to connect a Mac notebook with a wireless Ethernet card to the Wellesley College network. Wireless networking cards are to be used in addition to wired networking--they are not a complete substitute. Before setting up your wireless connection,please read the Guidelines for Use of the Wireless Network at Wellesley College.

Table of Contents

• What You Need
• Configuring Your Network Settings for a Wireless Ethernet Connection: Mac OS [10.4] [10.3/10.2]
• Switching Between Wired and Wireless Connections
• Turning Off/On your Wireless Connection
• Network printing

NOTE: For best results, we recommend that you disable your wireless connection when using your wired connection, and re-enable it when you are using wireless, as it can conflict with Cisco Clean Access and authenticating your computer. WARNING: Don't forget to disable your wireless if you need to disconnect from the network because of a virus issue or because you are following documentation that requires you to disconnect from the network.

What You Need

To connect to the Wellesley College wireless network, you need:

• a Macintosh iBook or an "AirPort-compatible" Powerbook running Mac OS X
• 802.11b or 802.11g ("Airport Extreme") wireless network interface card.
  We strongly recommend Apple's AirPort card; Cisco Aironet and Lucent Orinoco cards should work, too (though only in PowerBooks, not iBooks). Wireless networking cards can be purchased from most computer retailers, including Apple. When installing your wireless Ethernet card read the manufacturer's instructions carefully, and be sure to follow the correct steps for your operating system.

Configuring Your Network Settings for a Wireless Ethernet Connection

Before you begin, exit all programs and close all windows.

Make sure your wireless Ethernet card is properly installed and recognized.

1. If you are using an Apple AirPort card, install the card as described in the user manual that came with your computer. If it came pre-installed, skip to step 4, below.
2. If you are using a Lucent WaveLAN/Orinoco PC Card on a compatible PowerBook, insert the card into your PC Card slot.
3. Install the software using the instructions provided with the installer.
4. Computers that support the Apple AirPort card will come with Apple's AirPort software pre-installed. Be sure to download the latest version from Apple or from your card vendor (e.g., Lucent).
5. Restart your computer.
   

Take your notebook to an area on campus where wireless networking is available and then follow these steps:

OS 10.4:

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. Click the Network Icon.
   
   
   
3. In the Show: field, make sure that Airport is selected

   

4. In the By default, join: field, select Preferred Networks.
   
   
   
5. Click the plus (+) sign to add a network. You will then see this window:
   
   Type "nostrings" in the Network Name: field and click OK.
   
   
6. Click Apply Now.
7. The airport signal on the top right corner of your window should now show connectivity and you should be able to use a web browser, e-mail or any other application that requires a network connection.

NOTE: If you cannot connect to the network, it may be that you need to authenticate your computer using Cisco Clean Access. For an explanation of why you need to authenticate your computer and directions to do so, go to the Cisco Clean Access page. You will need to register your wired Ethernet connection and your wireless connection separately.

OS 10.3/10.2:

1. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Setup Assistant and open up the Setup Assistant.
   
   
   
   
2. Make sure "Set up your computer to join an existing AirPort Network" is selected and click Continue.
   
   
   
   
3. The next screen should say that it is ready to configure your computer to access the network "nostrings". If it does, click Continue.
   
   If it does not, and instead says "No Networks found," then do the following:
   • From the Airport Setup Assistant menu, choose Quit Airport Setup Assistant.
   • From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
   • Click on the Network icon.
   • In the Show: field, make sure that Airport is selected.
   • In the By default, join: field, select A Specific Network.
   • Type "nostrings" in the Network: field.
   • Click Apply Now.
     
   • Close the Network window and proceed to step 5.
   
   
4. When the next screen appears click Done.
5. You should now be able to use a web browser, e-mail or any other application that requires a network connection.

NOTE: If you cannot connect to the network, it may be that you need to authenticate your computer using Cisco Clean Access. For an explanation of why you need to authenticate your computer and directions to do so, go to the Cisco Clean Access page. You will need to register your wired Ethernet connection and your wireless connection separately.

Switching Between Wired and Wireless Connections

Your Mac should "auto-detect" when you insert an Ethernet cable into your notebook, and switch from wireless to wired networking--and vice-versa--automatically. If it does not, or you want to manually choose:

1. Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Click on the Network icon.
3. In the drop down menu next to Show:, select Built-in Ethernet (wired), or Airport (wireless), as needed.

OR

Click on the signal strength indicator in the upper right corner of your screen and select nostrings from the menu.

NOTE: For best results, we recommend that you disable your wireless connection when using your wired connection, and re-enable it when you are using wireless, as it can conflict with Cisco Clean Access and authenticating your computer.

Turning Off / On Your Wireless Connection

You may want to turn off your wireless connection temporarily when you're using your wired connection, in order to install certain software, or in case your computer becomes infected with a virus. To temporarily disable your wireless connection:

Click on the signal strength indicator in the upper right corner of your screen and select Turn Airport Off from the menu.

To turn wireless back on, click on the signal strength indicator in the upper right corner of your screen and select Turn Airport On from the menu.

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