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Wireless requirements and configuration

In order to access the University's Wireless Network, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • A current UniKey account.
  • A notebook computer with a wireless data card with 802.11b or 802.11g "wifi" standard.
  • One of the following operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista 32 bit, Mac OS X or Linux. Please note that Vista 64 bit and Palm pilots are not supported.
  • For external access you will need to have the Cisco VPN client installed on your machine. For information on how to setup VPN, please click here.

The terminology used with wireless cards varies significantly between systems. In configuring wireless on your computer you will therefore need to choose those options which best match the following information.

  • The University wireless network does not use the standard in-built 802.11 security.
  • Data encryption must be "disabled".
  • Network authentication should be "open" not "shared". [No network keys or certificates are required.]
  • Your wireless connection should not be connected to a "bridge".
  • Do not allow interconnection sharing - do not allow others to access the Internet through your computer.
  • Your Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties should be set to use DHCP. This can be achieved by choosing a setting such as:
    obtain your IP address (and DNS server address) automatically; or use a server-assigned IP address
  • Do not set your wireless connection to ad hoc or computer-to-computer. Choose instead (if the options are available) connect to access point only, or infrastructure.
  • The name of the University wireless network access points (SSID) is usyd.
  • If you are asked "does this connection access the Internet?", indicate that it does.