The information on this page has been copied and slightly adapted for conditions at Friday Harbor Labs. The original University of Washington page can be found at http://www.washington.edu/computing/wireless/
Friday Harbor Labs has installed wireless networking to its student and researcher living areas. Using 802.11b technology, you can get an 11Mb/second connection to the Internet without a wired connection to your computer. This performance is on the same order as shared ethernet. Laptops are the most likely computers to benefit from this type of connection.
Currently, this service is available in: Dorms A, B, and C, the huts beyond Dorm C, the Cabins and Trailers, and all of the Apartments. Some low signal areas exist, but users can take their laptop to the Commons, Lecture Hall, or Dining Hall for best coverage. Lab resources (e.g., printers and network storage), are accessible through wireless connections.
Users MUST meet with Craig Staude or Alan Cairns before connecting to the network. We must insure that you have installed all current security patches and an up-to-date antivirus program.
Secure communication methods (e.g., SSH, SSL, Kerberos) should be used whenever available, and certainly for all communications with UW/C&C systems. Due to the limited bandwidth at FHL, we prohibit the use of distributed filesharing prgrams like Limewire and BitTorrent. The usual policies for use of UW campus network services apply, see Knowing the Rules.
First, you need to be located in a building or room with wireless service. Then, to access the service you need:
(Note: The application software used with wireless connections is NO DIFFERENT than what you typically use making any other Internet connection.
The ability to connect via 802.11b is usually added as a PC(MCIA) "card" to your computer. An exception is the Apple "AirPort" card, which goes in a special (internal) slot, rather than a PC(MCIA) slot. Apple can use either an internal Apple-brand Airport card, or it can also use the PC(MCIA) card used by other computers.
Many vendors provide 802.11b hardware or 802.11b-compatible hardware that should work in the UW environment. C&C is able to provide the best assistance for users of the Apple "AirPort" and other cards maunfactured by Lucent, which appear under a variety of brand names, including WaveLan "Orinoco", "Agere", and "Avaya". The UW Book Store carries the Apple "AirPort" card (around $90), the "Avaya" or "Orinoco" card (around $89), and a few others.
Once you have the 802.11b hardware, follow the vendor's instructions for installing it (which is usually just to plug in the card and run an installer program to add software for it).
Base networking software is now included with almost every computer's pre-installed operating system. The installer that comes with the 802.11b hardware may add some hardware-specific software. The UW Internet Connectivity Kit (UWICK) can be a valuable source for other networking software, including setting up the connection itself, and providing secure communications software, current Web browsers, etc.
While the UWICK software may be VERY helpful, it does NOT provide an "automated" installation for wireless networking, since there are too many variables involved (especially with different brands of 802.11b hardware).
You are required to meet with our IT staff (Craig Staude or Alan Cairns) shortly after your arrival to inspect the security level (e.g., system patches and anti-virus protection) of your computer. They will assist you with the wireless connection. Do not attempt to connect to the network by wireless or cable connection before your computer is officially cleared.
Yes, consumer-oriented 802.11b "base stations" are available from a number of vendors, for example the Apple AirPort base station. If you correctly set up such a base station at home, then the same 802.11b card that connects your computer to the UW campus wireless network would connect you to your home wireless network. Wireless network services may also appear in other venues (e.g., some airports - the kind with real airplanes....). HOWEVER, not all wireless network solutions use 802.11b.
General Information