Configuring Laptop PCs

For

Wireless Access at Lehigh University

At Lehigh University wireless network connectivity is meant to be used as a supplement to a regular wired network connection.  In almost all cases users who wish to use wireless connectivity will be doing so on laptops that are also configured to the use the regular wired Ethernet network. 

 

In order to connect a laptop PC to the wireless network it is necessary to configure it with the proper hardware and software.  It is possible to have a laptop configured for both wireless and wired network access. The procedure for configuring a laptop for wireless network access is almost identical to the one for configuring a regular wired connection. The following sections will describe what the requirements are, how to install the hardware and software and finally how to use a wireless laptop.

 

 

Requirements

 

·        Wireless client Ethernet adapter (Cisco Aironet 340 adapter available at the Lehigh Bookstore)
Note: If wish to use an adapter other than the Cisco 340 it is important that it be 802.11b compatible. 

·        Ethernet drivers for the wireless client adapter (included with the wireless client adapter)

·        Novell Client software (available on the latest Lehigh CD or from www.lehigh.edu/wired)

 

Installation Instructions

 

1. Install the wireless client Ethernet adapter 
   
   Before installing the wireless adapter make sure you have the drivers for it beforehand.  The proper drivers should be on a CD included with the wireless adapter. If you have a standard wired Ethernet adapter already installed in the laptop it will be necessary to remove it before installing the wireless adapter.  Once removed, install the wireless adapter and power on the laptop.
   
   Once the laptop has been powered on Windows will begin the process of searching for drivers for the wireless adapter.  You will be prompted to enter the location where the latest drivers can be found, use either the drivers you downloaded or those on the CD that came with the adapter.  
   
   After the drivers have been installed reboot the laptop when prompted.
   
   
2. Ethernet adapter configuration settings
   
   In most cases when you install a wireless network card it will not be necessary to change any settings on the card for wireless connectivity to work. The default settings in place when the card is first installed will allow immediate access to the network. This is the case with the Cisco Aironet card sold at the Bookstore. 
   
   To test whether your card needs changes to it's configuration settings go to an area with wireless connectivity.  If you are able to access the Internet (browser/e-mail) then no changes need to be made.  If you aren't able to connect then it may be necessary to change the SSID setting.  This setting tells the wireless card what wireless network to connect to.  The SSID field needs to be set to either "lehigh" or just left blank.  The SSID field can be changed by going to Device Manager and accessing the properties of the wireless adapter.
   
    
3. Novell Client software
   
   Once the laptop has powered on you will need to install the Novell Client software to get access to the campus LAN.  If you do not need access to the LAN or don’t want the Novell Client software installed on the laptop then you can skip this step.
   
   To install the Novell Client software run the executable that you downloaded from the web or if you are installing from the CD run the following command:
   
   D:\novell\win9x\setup.exe  (where D: is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive)
   
   Once the setup program has started you will be prompted to enter two parameter fields:
   
   Tree Name: LU
   Name Context: student.lehigh 
   
   Note: student.lehigh is for all students. For staff you should enter the context were your user ID resides.
   
   Once the setup program has finished reboot when prompted.
   

Usage Instructions

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 effected 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.
  

Problems Connecting via Wireless

 

Sometimes there may be problems connecting to the wireless network.  The following points may help resolve some of the problems:

 

·        If you cannot get any kind of network connection (Internet or LAN) make sure that the laptop is within the range of the wireless access point.  Move to an open area within the wireless location and reboot the laptop, then try connecting again.

·        If you can get a Novell connection but can’t access the Internet then it may be necessary to reset the IP address on the laptop.  To fix this do the following:

o       From the START button select Run

o       Type in “WINIPCFG” and click on OK

o       From the IP configuration window select the Aironet adapter

o       Click on Release All and then click on Renew All

   

      The IP address should then change and you will then be able to access the Internet