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Wireless FAQs: General

Where is Wireless Networking available?

Wireless Networking is available at the following locations:

  • Aberconway Library
  • Arts and Social Studies Library
  • Julian Hodge Study Centre
  • Trevithick Library

Further locations will be added shortly and will be announced locally and on these pages.

 

How will I find the wireless zones at these locations?

Look out for a poster in those locations that have been wireless-enabled — it will look like this:

Cardiff University Wireless Network Logo

Who may use Wireless Networking?

All students and staff of Cardiff University who register their devices with Information Services.

What Wireless Networking services are available?

There are two services :

Standard Wireless Networking (CU-WiFi SSID)— This service provides basic access to the Internet. Users are authenticated securely via their usual Cardiff University username and password via a secure web page. After authentication, however, the traffic between the laptop and the network is unencrypted, unless you access sites using https (such as Squirrel or Webmail) or SSL.

Both students and staff can use this service and it is relatively simple to connect and use once the wireless device is registered with Information Services. We strongly recommend, however, that you upgrade your registration to the enhanced service as soon as possible.

Enhanced Wireless Networking (eduroam SSID)- This service has enhanced wireless and network security but requires certain features to be available on hardware installed on the wireless device. Users are authenticated securely via their usual Cardiff University username and password within a special piece of software called a wireless 802.1x supplicant which must be installed on the device. Following successful authentication, all traffic between the user and the network is encrypted. Both staff and students can use this service.

In order to register for this service, you should first register for Wireless Networking and then follow the link on the Standard Wireless Networking authentication page.

What services will I have if I connect to Standard Wireless Networking?

You will have access to the World Wide Web and view intranet web sources.

You will be able to securely access your University email, either via Squirrel (Pegasus Mail users) or WebMail (Groupwise users). You will have access to Cardiff University-provided web services such as the portal, BlackBoard and Citrix.

What services will I have if I connect to Enhanced Wireless Networking?

You will have all the facilities of the Standard service, plus ordinary traffic will be encrypted. Staff will also have additional access rights.

What are the rules governing the use of Wireless Networking?

By connecting to Wireless Networking you are agreeing to comply with the rules as laid down by JANET and the Information Services Regulations.

How much do I have to pay for a wireless connection?

Connection to the service is free-of-charge for all members of Cardiff University.

Where will Wireless Networking be deployed?

Wireless Networking will be deployed:

  • in areas where it is difficult to establish a wired network
  • when mobility, flexibility, and constant connectivity are required
  • when you only need a network connection for a short period of time
  • where there is a high concentration of users to make it cost effective.

What are the benefits of Wireless Networking?

Wireless networks offer mobility, allowing users to physically move about while maintaining a connection to the network.

What are the drawbacks of Wireless Networking?

Wireless has inherently slower network speeds than wired networks. Also all users can end up sharing the speed that is available in an area.

Users can also be caught out by lack of power for the device they are using. It might be wireless, but power will still need to be supplied to the device!

Can wireless networks be used to replace wired networks?

No, wireless networks are best used to supplement wired networks, where the installation of a wired network would be very difficult. At the present time wired networks provide more consistent connectivity and are less susceptible to interferences.

How long will my registration last?

Registrations are normally removed from our database at the end of each Academic year, so if you still need a connection you would need to reapply at that point.

Will I be able to print from my wireless laptop?

No, you will not be able to print directly via a wireless connection.

Save your work to a removable medium such as USB memory stick or CD, and print by logging on to a workstation with a direct connection to the network.