This document explains how to connect a Windows notebook to the Wellesley College network using a wireless Ethernet card. 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 a Windows notebook for wireless connection
• Using a wireless connection
• Switching between a wireless connection and a wired connection
• Disabling/Re-enabling your wireless connection
• Network Printing
  

• 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network interface card
  Wellesley's wireless hubs are 802.11g, and are compatible with both 802.11b and 802.11g wireless cards. 802.11g wireless cards are faster when used with 802.11g wireless hubs. Most notebooks now have built-in wireless networking. If yours does not, and you need to install a wireless Ethernet card, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully, and be sure to follow the correct steps for your operating system.

1. Exit all programs and close all windows. Have your Windows CD on hand because you may be asked to insert it so that a file can be copied. If this occurs, be sure to select the CD-ROM drive so that the file can be located.
2. From the Start menu, choose Control Panel. In the Pick a Category section click Printers and Other Hardware
3. On the left side click System.
4. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager.
5. In the Device Manager window click the plus sign (+) next to Network adapters. (If there is a "?," "!," or "x" next to the name of the wireless card or if your card is not listed, Windows is having trouble recognizing it. Check that it is installed correctly.)
6. Close the Device Manager window.
7. Click Cancel to close the System Properties window.
8. Close the Printers and Hardware window.
9. From the Start menu, choose Control Panel. Click Network and Internet Connections.
10. In the Pick a Control Panel list click Network Connections.
11. In the Network Connections window right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon and choose Properties.
    
    
12. Click the General tab.
13. Find your wireless card on the list of installed network components and make sure it is labeled with a green network adapter icon.
14. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
15. In the "Preferred networks:" section, click on the Add... button.
16. In the Network name (SSID) field, type: nostrings.
17. Make sure that the Network Authentication field is set to Open and that the Data Encryption field is set to Disabled. Then click OK.
    
    
18. Go back to the General tab, then look for Client for Microsoft Networks in the "This connection uses the following items" list. If it is not listed, add it as follows:
    • Click the Install button.
    • Select Client, then click Add.
    • Select Client for Microsoft Networks.
    • Click OK.
    • If asked whether you want to restart your computer click Yes.
19. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. In the TCP/IP Properties window:
    • Click on the General tab. Make sure Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain a DNS server address automatically is selected.
20. Click OK.
21. Restart your computer.

Using a Wireless Connection

1. Position your notebook within range of a wireless access point. You should be able to connect at least 100 feet away from a wireless access point, but if you are having trouble there may be interference from people or devices in the area. Try moving to a different spot. When verifying your connection for the first time, move as close to the wireless access point as possible to be sure that you are within range.
2. If you are using a removable wireless card (not built in), insert it before you turn on your computer.
3. See if you are connected to the network by launching Firstclass or a web browser. To access NTM, go to the Start menu, choose Run and type NTM. Click OK.
4. 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.

Switching Between a Wireless Connection and a Wired Connection

It may take 5 minutes or so for your computer to pick up a wireless signal after you have switched from a wired connection.

• After your computer has been configured for wireless and wired connections Windows should detect which is available - either the cable is connected or there is a signal to the wireless card or both.
  
  However, 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.
  
• You should not need to reconfigure or disable either connection, however if you decide to disable the wired or wireless connection, look for the network connection icon in the task bar near the time. Right-click on the icon and choose Disable. If the network connection icon has a red X there is no connection available.
• To enable either connection, Start > Control Panel. Click Network and Internet Connections. In the Pick a Control Panel list click Network Connections. Right click on the connection you want to enable (Wireless Network or Local Area (wired) and choose Enable.
• To remove a wireless card that is not built in:
  
  1. Find the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon (the icon name appears when the mouse hovers over it) and double-click on it.
  2. Select Cisco Systems Wireless Adapter (or similar) and click on the Stop button. Windows will confirm that you wish to stop the wireless adapter.
  3. Select Cisco Systems Wireless Adapter again and click OK.
  4. Click Close in the "Safely Remove Hardware" window.
  5. When you see a message that says, "The 'Cisco Wireless LAN adapter' device can now be safely removed from this system" (or similar), click OK and remove your wireless card.

Disabling / Re-enabling Your Wireless Connection

If you are following documentation that requires you to disconnect from the network, you will need to both unplug your network cord and disable your wireless connection. To temporarily disable your wireless connection:

1. Right-click on My Network Places and choose Properties. The Network Connections window will open.
2. Right-click on your wireless connection and choose Disable.
   
   To re-enable your wireless connection, right-click on your wireless connection in the Network Connections window and choose Enable.