Information Services Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is UniWireless

  1. What is UniWireless?

    2. UniWireless is the wireless data network for University of Melbourne students and staff. Its purpose is to provide flexibility in accessing the University's Network and Internet resources securely without the restriction of cables or wires.

  2. What is a Wireless Network?

    3. A wireless network is a type of computer network where the computing devices communicate via radio signals, rather than wires as with a traditional local area network (LAN). Wireless hardware is now most often embedded within devices, such as laptops and PDAs.

  3. Who can use UniWireless?

    4. University of Melbourne students and staff who have a valid and active “Central Email Account” can use UniWireless.

  4. What services can I access on the UniWireless Network?

    5. University of Melbourne authorised users will use their Central Email Username and Password to connect to the network. Wireless users will have access to the same resources that they do with the wired network. See the UniWireless services list for more information.

  5. Can I access Instant Messaging?

    6. Yes - via the proxy

  6. Can I access external email, POP or IMAP?

    7. Yes – however outbound external SMTP is blocked (port 25) to reduce the impact of email spam attacks. While on campus you will need to configure your email client to use the University SMTP server for outbound messages. Set the outbound SMTP server setting in your email client to: smtp.unimelb.edu.au

  7. Can I use the VPN on UniWireless?

    8. Yes - Visit the University of Melbourne's Virtual Private Network (VPN) service webpage for more information.

  8. How much does it cost me / my department / users to use UniWireless?

    9. UniWireless is a free service provided for University of Melbourne students and staff.

  9. How fast is the UniWireless network?

    10. The UniWireless network was upgraded in early 2008 to support connection speeds up to 54 Mbps. However, as wireless networking is a shared service between all users connecting to a particular access point, most users will experience connection speeds lower than 54 Mbps.

  10. Is wireless networking a danger to my health?

    11. The UniWireless network uses tried and proven equipment that has been tested around the world. The wireless devices used for UniWireless transmit at well below the limit prescribed by Australian Legislation.

    “There is no correlated proof that these low-power devices pose any health risks to the user or the general public. . . . Recent studies strongly suggest that the use of cellular telephone equipment does not create health risks. . . . .The RF emission levels from a typical WLAN are well within the safety emission level thresholds set by the World Health Organization (WHO)”

    References:

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What is MUWIRELESS

  1. What is MUWIRELESS?

    2. MUWIRELESS is the outgoing University of Melbourne wireless network.

    Services available on MUWIRELESS network will be progressively reduced and the network is targeted to be decommissioned by semester 2. Initially, Instant Messaging and External POP will be disabled on MUWIRELESS in buildings where UniWireless is active.

    All staff and Students are encouraged to transition to UniWireless at their earliest convenience in order to avoid any disruption to services.

  2. Why are some services no longer available on MUWIRELESS?

    3. With the introduction of UniWireless, services on MUWIRELESS will be progressively reduced until it is decommissioned, which is targeted to occur by the start of semester 2. Initially, Instant Messaging and External POP will be disabled on MUWIRELESS in buildings where UniWireless is active.

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Where is UniWireless

  1. Where is UniWireless currently available?

    2. Visit the coverage pages

  2. How do I interpret the coverage map?

    3. The coverage map shows signal loss with the areas in blue closest to the access point with the best coverage and red areas further away with little or no coverage.

    Signal Loss Diagram

    While providing welcome mobility, wireless networks are not as powerful as switched wired networks. As dedicated bandwidth cannot be allocated to a single machine, performance will vary according to the number of users in a given coverage area and distance from the wireless access point.

    For more information on signal strength see the following FAQ – Why are the signals stronger in some places and weaker in others?

  3. Why are the signals stronger is some places and weaker in others?

    4. Wireless signals are affected and degraded by distance as well as by many other obstructions including; walls, bookshelves, lifts, and other large metal objects. Generally, the closer you are to an access point the better the signal strength.

    While there is no technical limit to the number of people who can connect to an access point at a time, wireless is a shared medium and the more people connected the lower performance will be for each user. The UniWireless network has been designed so more access points are installed in areas where large groups congregate in order to ensure performance is not significantly diminished by high demand.

  4. Can I borrow a laptop for use on UniWireless?

    5. Laptops are available for students to borrow in some libraries – see the StudentIT website for more information.

  5. When is UniWireless coming to non-Parkville campuses?

    6. UniWireless will be rolled out on some non-Parkville campuses during the second half of 2008. To see where coverage will be available check the coverage maps.

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Getting Connected to UniWireless

  1. How do I connect to UniWireless?

    2. Saved profiles are available at library services points or for download from the website. Refer to the configuration documentation for instructions on installing the profiles or how to configure your laptop or PDA manually. The configuration documents list the steps required to be able to connect to UniWireless. These steps differ depending on the type of Operating System and Operating System version.

  2. What operating systems are supported on the UniWireless Network?

    3. The University community uses a wide variety of computer platforms and operating systems.

    The following operating systems are officially supported by Information Services:

    • Windows XP
    • MAC OSX 10.4

    In addition, the following operating systems have been tested, and Information Services support staff can provide limited assistance for:

    • Windows Vista
    • MAC OSX 10.5
    • Windows Mobile

  3. What should my proxy settings be?

    4. Configure your proxy settings to use the automatic configuration script http://www.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/proxy.pac.

    For browsers and operating systems where this is not available:

    • Set the http proxy to wwwproxy.student.unimelb.edu.au
    • Set the port to 8000
    • Add *.unimelb.edu.au added to the "bypass host or domain"

    OSX users should configure the proxy in the General Network Settings.

  4. Can I use my PDA to access the UniWireless Network?

    5. Most PDA’s can. If your PDA is wireless enabled, supports 802.11x, and has a PEAP supplicant you should be able to access UniWireless. Please refer to the Configuration document to configure your PDA.

  5. Can I use my Linux laptop to access the UniWireless Network?

    6. Yes you can, as long as it is wireless enabled, supports 802.11x, and has a PEAP supplicant. You will have to configure it before using it. Linux is not currently supported by the University.

  6. Can I use my iPhone or iPod Touch to access the UniWireless Network?

    7. Yes.

    System requirements: Operating System version 2.0 or later (early versions of the iPhone do not support 802.11x or Protected EAP (PEAP) and therefore cannot access UniWireless)

    Configuration Guide:

    1. From the front screen select Settings and then select Wireless
    2. From the Wireless screen select UniWireless
    3. You will then be prompted to enter your central email username and password
    4. Enter the Security Settings screen
    5. Select join.

    To access external resources you will also need to enter the proxy settings

    1. From the front screen: Select Settings then Wireless then Edit UniWireless
    2. From the proxy settings select Auto
    3. Enter the proxy configuration script http://www.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/proxy.pac
  7. What are the basic settings for connecting to UniWireless?

    8. UniWireless is a secured network – you will need to configure the security settings on your laptop or PDA before you can access the network.

    Authentication:
    Minimum requirement is WPA, however WPA2 is prefered. WPA2 is supported by later operating systems: Windows Vista, Mac OSX 10.4 and 10.5.

    Encryption:

    • with WPA authentication: TKIP
    • with WPA2 authentication: AES

    EAP Type: Protected EAP (PEAP)

  8. How do I print?

    9. Staff can print using the same method they do on the wired network. Student printing on wireless is being reviewed. More information will be available later in the year.

  9. Is there a quota on the amount of external internet traffic that can be downloaded?

    10. Yes
    Undergraduates are limited to 250mb per week
    Postgraduates are limited to 350mb per week
    Staff are limited to 1Gb per week
    For more information see the IS Service Catalogue.

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Security & Authentication

  1. Does UniWireless require authentication?

    2. Yes, UniWireless is a secured network – you will need to configure the security settings on your laptop or PDA before you can access the network.

    Authentication:
    Minimum requirement is WPA, however WPA2 is prefered. WPA2 is supported by later operating systems: Windows Vista, Mac OSX 10.4 and 10.5.

    Encryption:

    • with WPA authentication: TKIP
    • with WPA2 authentication: AES

    EAP Type: Protected EAP (PEAP)

    Once authenticated and connected you will not be required to authenticate again unless your account has been suspended.

  2. What credentials are required for UniWireless?

    3. You will use and maintain your Central Email Username and Password to access UniWireless. Any changes to your Central Email Credentials will be reflected in your UniWireless access. If you change your password for your Central Email account, use the changed password to access UniWireless.

  3. I have lost my Wireless device and I had saved my password in it.

    4. It is best not to save your passwords however; if you have lost your wireless device (laptop / PDA etc) you should immediately change the password of your Central Email Account.

  4. How do I change my login credentials in Windows XP?

    5. Windows XP stores your successful credentials. If you have successfully connected you will not be prompted for your username and password again. If you are using a shared device (laptop) you should remove your credentials before allowing anyone else to use the device. To do this you can download this file (Clear Credentials – XP Only.bat) and double click it whenever you want to clear your cached credentials.

  5. How secure is my data transmission on UniWireless?

    6. UniWireless encrypts the traffic so your communication is secure. UniWireless uses a protocol called PEAP to provide strong security and easy authentication.

  6. What is PEAP?

    7. Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol, Protected EAP, or simply PEAP (pronounced "peep"), is a method to securely transmit authentication information, including passwords, over wired or wireless networks. It was jointly developed by Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and RSA Security. Note that PEAP is not an encryption protocol; as with other EAP types it only authenticates a client into a network.

    PEAP uses server-side public key certificates to authenticate the server. It then creates an encrypted SSL/TLS tunnel between the client and the authentication server. The ensuing exchange of authentication information to authenticate the client is then encrypted and user credentials are safe from eavesdropping.

    PEAP is an open standard. It is already widely available in products, and provides very good security.

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Technical and Department IT

  1. What is a SSID?

    2. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. The SSID or the Network name identifies a wireless network. The SSID or Network name for this Network is UniWireless.

  2. What is an Access Point (or base station)?

    3. An access point (or base station) is a device used to connect wireless devices to the rest of the network. In the same way that hubs or switches connect traditional Ethernet cards that use wires.

    UniWireless access points are manufactured with reduced functionality and require the existence and configuration of backend centrally managed controller hardware in order to operate. This provides for increased functionality with reduced management overhead and resources.

  3. What Wireless standards are supported on UniWireless?

    4. 802.11a and 802.11g are both supported on UniWireless.

    802.11a and 802.11g are international standards for wireless networking that operate in the 2.4GHz to 5GHz frequency range. This is a very commonly used frequency, cordless phones, medical and scientific equipment, as well as Bluetooth devices, all work within the 2.4Ghz frequency band.

  4. Is the 802.11b standard supported?

    5. Yes. However, some 802.11b cards do not support PEAP (Protected EAP) and therefore can not access UniWireless.

    The following wireless cards are known not to be able to connect to UniWireless:

    • Avaya Gold 802.11b card
    • Avaya Silver 802.11b card

    The following external wireless cards have been tested and successfully connect to UniWireless. These cards can be purchased for a reasonable price from any local IT hardware store:

    • Netgear USB WG111v2
    • PCMCIA 802.11A/B/G – Cisco Aironet model Air-CB21AG-W-K9
  5. Is the 802.11n draft wireless standard supported on UniWireless?

    6. No.

  6. Because you are installing wireless does this mean we won't need to run any more cables?

    7. No, the wireless network is not a replacement for the wired network, rather it is being implemented as an additional service. The wired network in almost every case will provide faster speeds. Wireless however provides the mobility that often cannot be offered in wired network.

  7. Can I / my department add further access points to our building(s)?

    8. Only in consultation, and with approval from Information Services can additional access points can be installed.

    Requests for additional access points can be logged through the IT Service Desk http://servicedesk.unimelb.edu.au.

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Getting Help

  1. I have some feedback on the UniWireless Network, where can I send it?

    2. Any feedback, fault reporting, or issues with installation on your machine can be logged with the IT Service Desk on 8344 0888, (internally on x40888), or via the Workstation Support web page http://servicedesk.unimelb.edu.au.

  2. Where can I get more help?

    3. Technical support notes can be found here at Getting Connected.

    Support is available from the IT Service Desk on 8344 0888 (internally on x40888), or via the IT Service Desk web page http://servicedesk.unimelb.edu.au

  3. What do I need to begin using the UniWireless Network?

    4. You will need a wireless enabled devise (laptop/pda) that supports 802.11x and a University of Melbourne student or staff central email account. Wireless cards are now most often embedded within devices and do not need to be purchased separately.

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eduroam

  1. What is the eduroam wireless network?

    2. eduroam (EDUcation ROAMing) is a global initiative, forming an agreement between educational and research institutions to share wireless access enabling inter-institutional roaming.

    When visiting participating institutions University of Melbourne students and staff can connect to the eduroam network using their central email username and password (eg: username@unimelb.edu.au)

    Visitors to the University of Melbourne from participating institutions can access the eduroam network using the login credentials from their home institution.

  2. How do I connect to eduroam?

    3. University of Melbourne students and staff: Refer to the Configuration documents. The configuration document lists the steps to be performed to connect to eduroam. These steps differ depending on the type of Operating System and Operating System version.

    Visitors to the University of Melbourne: consult with their home institution for configuration instructions.

  3. What services can be accessed on the eduroam network?

    4. University of Melbourne students and staff: see the eduroam website at the visited institution for information on available resources.

    Visitors to the University of Melbourne: the services available on the eduroam network are limited to web (http/s), external VPN, and external Telnet\ssh.

  4. Where is eduroam access available?

    5. At the University of Melbourne: eduroam access is available in all the same places as the staff and student network – UniWireless. See the coverage maps for details.

    Worldwide: eduroam is available at over 500 sites world wide throughout 30 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the UK.

  5. Where can I get support?

    6. Technical support notes for University of Melbourne students and staff can be found here on the eduroam page.

    Support is available from the IT Service Desk on 8344 0888 (internally on x40888), or via the IT Service Desk web page http://servicedesk.unimelb.edu.au

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Visitor

  1. What is the Visitor wireless network?

    2. The Visitor network is available for short-term visitors to the University, including visiting academics or contractors, and conference delegates.

  2. How do I get a Visitor account?

    3. TBD

  3. How long can visitor accounts be created for?

    4. Visitor accounts can be available for up to 7 days.

  4. How much does it cost for a Visitor account?

    5. Visiting academics – $10 per account, per day.

    Rates for conferences are yet to be established.

  5. What services can be accessed on the Visitor network?

    6. The services available on the Visitor network are limited to web (http/s), external VPN, and external Telnet\ssh.

  6. Where is Visitor access available?

    7. Visitor access is available in all the same places as the University staff and student network – UniWireless. See the coverage mapsfor details.

  7. Where can I get support?

    8. Technical support notes can be found here at Getting Connected.

    Support is available from the IT Service Desk on 8344 0888 (internally on x40888), or via the IT Service Desk web page http://servicedesk.unimelb.edu.au

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