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Introduction
The University of Alaska Anchorage has installed wireless Ethernet networks (specifically, 802.11b networks) in several campus locations and will continue to extend coverage as funding permits. This service is available to all current students, staff, and faculty. For a map of current wireless locations, go to http://technology.uaa.alaska.edu/wireless
There are two types of wireless locations on campus; open and secure:
Open locations:
Advantages: Do not require authentication and can be used with most Macintosh operating systems with an 802.11b network interface card. NOTE: IT Services only supports and recommends MacOS 10.1 or higher using an Apple AirPort card.
Disadvantages: Restricted network access. Only TCP ports 80, 8080, 8007, 8010, 8011, and those used for streaming media will be open. This restricts connectivity only to web sites and streaming media content.
Secure locations:
Advantages: Full network access. No port restrictions.
Disadvantages: Authentication required. Minimum requirements are MacOS 10.1 with an Apple AirPort wireless network card.
How to connect to open locations
MacOS 10.1 or higher
Although it’s possible to connect to the open locations with any MacOS that has a functioning 802.11b wireless network card, IT Services only recommends and supports MacOS 10.1 or higher with an Apple AirPort card. If you are attempting to connect with another system, the key information necessary to connect is SSID/Network name: uaawireless, Channel: 6
Step 1
Configure your AirPort card
- From the Apple menu > select System Preferences.
- Select Network in the System Preferences window
- Select Show and choose Airport in the pull-down menu (as shown)
4. Click the Airport tab
5a. For Mac OS 10.1.x:
From the Preferred Network drop-down list, select UAAWIRELESS (Note: requires you to be in an open wireless area)
5b. For Mac OS 10.2.x:
In the After restart or wake from sleep section choose Join a Specific Network. For network, enter UAAWIRELESS. Password should be blank
6. Select the TCP/IP tab as shown
7. Choose Using DHCP from the Configure pull-down menu
8. Click Apply Now to save the settings (if grayed out, it was already set correctly).
9. You should now be connected. Click on the Airport icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. Highlight Open Internet Connect... in the menu. The Internet Connect window will open.
10. Select Airport in the Configuration pull-down menu. The Signal Level will activate as shown below. Use this to monitor your signal strength.
Connecting to Secure locations
1. Follow steps 1 – 6 above
2. Click on the Airport icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and choose Other
3. On the left drop-down menu select LEAP
4. For Closed Network Name: type uaasecure
5. Enter your UAA username and password
6. Your information should look like this:
7. Click OK
8. You should now be connected. Refer to step 9 in the previous section to monitor your signal strength.
