Accessing the Internet and campus LAN is the same for a wireless laptop as a regular wired one. There are only some issues related to performance that you need to keep in mind when using wireless.

• If you take the laptop beyond the range of the wireless access points you will lose the network connection. Please stay within the areas that are designated as having wireless access.



• Network speed and performance can be affected by the surroundings. If you are using the laptop in an area that is surrounded by stacks of books, concrete walls and other obstructions then the wireless signal may become diminished. This may end up slowing down the network speed. If this occurs try to move the laptop beyond the obstructions to a more open area.



• Make sure your wireless device can get a valid wireless IP address in the range of 10.253.x.x. Please review your settings and profile on your wireless software, if you are not getting a valid 10.253.x.x IP address.

Question: I can't seem to connect to Bear Net Wireless. What should I try first?

Answer:

1. Make sure you are within the Bear Net wireless network coverage area. Click here to see what areas of the various buildings on campus are covered by Bear Net Wireless Internet.

2. Your wireless card should automatically connect you or ask you to connect to a wireless network

3. Have you installed your wireless card according to the manufacturer's instructions and followed the Bear Net configuration steps? If not, then please click here to go to the Bear Net web site configuration instructions. Your wireless device may detect more than one wireless network in a particular area depending on the number of wireless access points deployed in that area. If your are not sure if your wireless device is attempting to connect to the Bear Net or not please click here for directions to see if your wireless device is attached to a particular access point in your area.

4. Make sure that you do not have WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) enabled in your wireless configuration settings.

5. For Windows-based configurations ensure that 'Access point (infrastructure) networks only' is selected in the advanced options of the Wireless Network Connection Properties.

6. Try to get a new DHCP assigned network address for your wireless card. To accomplish this using Windows, select Run from the Start menu and type cmd. At the cmd window prompt, type ipconfig /release and press the enter/return key to execute this command; then type ipconfig /renew and press the enter/return key to execute this command.

For Mac's OS, turn AirPort "OFF", wait for a few seconds, and then turn it "ON" again. If your wireless device successfully picked up the correct DHCP assigned network address it should be in the form 10.253.XXX.XXX

7. Reboot your computer, and then try connecting to Bear Net again.

 
Question: I can see the "Bear Net" network but I can't reach web sites or e-mail. What am I doing wrong?

Answer:       

1. First make sure you have authenticated properly with your valid Windows 2000/XP Username and Password. When you try to access the Internet using Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator or any other web browsers, you will be directed to the Bear Net login web site. Make sure you log under the correct user domain. If you are a student you need to be logged under "Students" domain and if you are a faculty then otherwise. If you are not sure if you have Windows 2000/XP Username and Password, please click here to go to the web site to create this username.

Note: The Windows 2000/XP Username the same as your email address issued to you by the Information Technology Department whether you are a student, faculty or staff. The password may vary depending on your personal choice.

2. Check your network configuration and make sure you are configured to connect via DHCP assigned address, and the fields for DNS are left blank. DNS information, which is responsible for routing networking requests to the Internet, is automatically served to you via DHCP when you connect to Bear Net.
 

Question: I've followed your configuration instructions, tried the troubleshooting steps above, yet I still can't make a connection to Bear Net. What should I do?

 Answer:

1. You might try temporarily disabling your wireless device while using Bear Net. Click here to get information on how to accomplish this step successfully.

2. You could also send a trouble report to our Help Desk Center and a representative will help you out or call (610) 683-4176.