Wireless Service

What is a Wireless Network?

Wireless networking technology allows specially equipped computers to access local area networks (LANs) without using wires. This allows users to browse the web, send emails and access files from up to several hundred feet away from a transmitter or access point (AP).

Wireless networking is also known as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) - a trademark for the certification of products that meet certain standards for transmitting data over wireless networks or 802.1X networking (a set of wireless LAN standards developed by an international standards committee).

Because of its basic concept, WiFi is predominantly aimed at laptop computer users due to its basic ease of use and mobility.

What hardware equipment do I need?

CIS provide the basic infrastucture for the wireless system and to use the system, you will need a valid Univeristy username and password and a 802.1X compatible machine.

Most modern laptops will already have built in WiFi capability (e.g. Intel Centrino) however should your laptop not have this capability, you will need to install a suitable external wireless network card (most laptops have a suitable slot to take such a card). These cards can be purchased from IT Service Desk for a modest sum.

How do I use the system?

It is assumed that your machine is suitably configured to use the internal/external wireless network card. In the case of 'Centrino' machines this will most likely have been done automatically when the operating system was installed. In the case of external cards, you will need to install and configure suitable drivers for the card and these (along with instructions on how to install them) are usually provided on the CD that comes with the card. You will then need to configure your machine to use the Durham Wireless Network.

Configuring the system

Windows XP users should click here for configuration instructions, Windows Vista users should click here , Windows 7 users should click here, Windows 8 users should click here and Apple Mac users should click here.

Where can I use Wireless?

CIS has configured many public areas and rooms with WiFi in addition to many individual departments and colleges. For full details of these locations click here or use the availability link on the left.

Further help

For further help or advice, please contact the IT Service Desk (41515) or itservicedesk@durham.ac.uk When reporting a problem to the Service Desk please quote your machine's MAC address and your CIS username so that we can verify your registration record.

Regulations

Use of the points is subject to the University Policy on the use of IT facilities , Regulations for the Use of University I.T. Facilities (June 1996) and Code of conduct for the use of CIS public facilities.