Skip navigation

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Section 1. Getting Started Section 2. Using Penn State Wireless Section 3. Technical Information Section 4. Wireless Network Administrators (Current or Potential) Section 5. Miscellaneous

Section 1. Getting Started

1.1. What is a wireless LAN? Simply put, it's networking without wires and it's ideal for laptop users who want to remain portable while accessing common LAN-based applications like email exchanges, access to printers, Web browsing, and access to multi-user databases and applications such as word processing and spreadsheets.

1.2. How does a wireless LAN work? Wireless LANs transmit and receive data over the air via radio frequency technology, eliminating the need for wired connections. In wireless local area networking, a device called an access point, which is hard-wired to a computer network itself, broadcasts a signal to the surrounding area. Any device that is equipped with a wireless networking card can receive that signal and communicate with the access point, and through it, with the rest of the network.

1.3. What is Penn State Wireless? Penn State Wireless is a standard developed by ITS to enable departments to have an identical setup so that the Penn State community can move from one building to another seamlessly.

1.4. Is there a charge for using Penn State Wireless? No, there is no charge for accessing and using Penn State Wireless. Anyone with an active Penn State Access Account, an 802.11b wireless capable laptop with VPN software, and within range of an access point, can use Penn State Wireless. The service is provided by the department unit controlling the space.

1.5. How secure is Penn State Wireless? Very. Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology uses state-of-the-art encryption and requires users to authenticate themselves before using the wireless services. Additional security measures require users to enter their Access Account userID and password each time they log on to Penn State Wireless. With this authentication solution and user accountability, Penn State Wireless users can feel confident that the Penn State wireless network is secure and that their data transfers are safe while being transmitted via the VPN. However, both the sending and receiving computers must also have appropriate security safeguards.

1.6. Why do I have to install VPN software? ITS makes wireless network access as simple as possible for the user. Penn State Wireless requires users to install Virtual Private Network (VPN) software on their devices to ensure that traffic between your laptop and other connections is secure. The VPN software also allows you to access Penn State services and resources. The VPN software has been designed to be as easy to download and configure as possible. The one-time installation process is completely automatic, and using the software only requires the user to enter their Access Account userID and password to access Penn State Wireless.

1.7. What is a Penn State Access Account? A Penn State Access Account is a userID and password that enables Penn State students, faculty, and staff to use the full range of Internet Services on or off campus, including Penn State Wireless.

1.8. Where can I purchase a Wireless Networking Card (Wireless Adapter)? If your laptop is not 802.11 wireless capable, you can purchase a wireless adapter card from the Computer Store.

1.9. What operating system platforms are supported by Penn State Wireless? Penn State Wireless supports 802.11 wireless capable laptops running the following operating systems: Linux, Macintosh OS X, Solaris 5.6, Solaris 5.8, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP (any version).

Section 2. Using Penn State Wireless

2.1. How do I get connected to Penn State Wireless? If you are in a location that has Penn State Wireless you need to launch the VPN client on your laptop and select the Penn State campus where you are located. Once you login using your Access Account, you can begin to use the wireless network for your tasks.

2.2. What happens when I move between coverage areas of different access points? If you are within the same building, your connection seamlessly will be transferred between access points. If you move between buildings that have Penn State Wireless, then you will need to first disconnect from the current building, move to the next building, and then connect again.

2.3. Where do I go if I have trouble using Penn State Wireless? If you are experiencing problems with Penn State Wireless, contact the ITS Helpdesk. Some departments choose to also support users of their Penn State Wireless service, and, if so, are listed in the Wireless LAN Administrative, Technical or Security contact for the building where you are using this service.

2.4. Where is Penn State Wireless available? Check the wireless locations list (requires Access Account login).

2.5. What do I do if I am getting a bad signal strength? This is usually due to interference that may occur from building walls, ceilings, metal, furniture, and even people. Moving your laptop just a few feet may improve your reception dramatically.

Section 3. Technical Information

3.1. What is VPN software? Virtual Private Network (VPN) software enables you to have a secure network connection between your computing device and Penn State's VPN server and to access Penn State networking resources that are restricted to Penn State IP addresses. VPN software clients for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X are available for download.

3.2. What is the IEEE 802.11 Standard? IEEE is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a standards body that promotes design specifications to ensure compatibility between different manufacturer's products. 802.11 is the IEEE designation for the particular kind of wireless networking technology that is being used for Penn State Wireless.

3.3. What kinds of wireless devices can access Penn State Wireless? Penn State Wireless is designed for use by 802.11 wireless capable laptops such as those that have either a built-in wireless chipset or a wireless network interface card (NIC), which fit into the PCMCIA card slots of laptops.

3.4. What is the data transfer speed of Penn State Wireless LAN Service? The speed will vary, and likely will never approach the speed of a wired connection using modern technology. Performance speeds of up to 11Mbps and up to 54Mbps may be possible, though in a shared environment, and is dependent upon the client type and wireless service type (a, b, or g) availability. See Data Transmission Rate chart (below) for explanation.

Maximum Transmission Speed by Client Type
Penn State Wireless Service Type802.11b802.11g802.11a
802.11b11 Mbps11 MbpsNA
802.11g11 Mbps54 MbpsNA
802.11g and 802.11a
11 Mbps54 Mbps54 Mbps

3.5. What is a wireless access point? An access point is a single wireless ethernet device serving a small area (generally no more than 150 feet in most cases). The access point, the "starting point" for the service, functions as a bridge between the radio (air) and the wired network.?t is through the access point that the radio card in the laptop finds a path to the PSU intranet and other Internet connected resources.

3.6. What is the coverage area of an access point? The signal range for an access point on Penn State Wireless is approximately 150 feet indoors. The coverage area will vary depending upon physical obstructions in the coverage.

Section 4. Wireless Network Administrators (Current or Potential)

4.1. I am considering installing a wireless network. What issues do I need to consider? ITS offers Wireless Networking Standards for those electing to deploy their own wireless local area network.

4.2. How do I get help designing my own wireless network? ITS can design your wireless network. The Penn State Wireless service offers departments complete design, implementation and maintenance for wireless LANs. This service is available at all Penn State campuses. ITS can provide wireless LAN access in virtually all University Park buildings and at all other Penn State campuses. The service is considered an Individual Good and, therefore, must be funded by those organizations requesting the service in a particular building or building location.

The ordering, design, installation, and maintenance process for Penn State Wireless parallels those for wired LAN services offered by ITS. Lead times to activate Penn State Wireless in an area will depend largely upon a variety of factors specific to the area to be serviced. Some availability restrictions will apply.

ITS can also help you design your wireless LAN by offering advice regarding the design process and parameters, such as how to secure your wireless LAN, how to conduct or contract an RF site survey, etc.

Campuses, colleges, or departments interested in installing Penn State Wireless should contact TNS through the web service inquiry form (Special Projects Design Request Form) or phone (814) 865-6580.

4.3. How do I register my wireless location? ITS has implemented a registration process to identify wireless locations on Penn State campuses. The designated Wireless LAN Administrative, Technical or Security contact for each campus building is responsible for completing the registration once a wireless LAN service has been installed in their building.

4.4. How do I connect my existing local wireless network to the Penn State Wireless network? ITS can help interconnect your existing wireless network. ITS offers a service to help you augment your existing wireless LAN network. The service gives users of your local wireless LAN network access to Penn State Wireless and its array of Internet Services.

4.5. What are the advantages of interconnecting? Benefits include seamless access to Penn State Wireless, state-of-the-art security, a consistent login procedure, and free interconnectivity.

4.6. How do I request the Penn State Wireless Assist? Contact TNS through the web service inquiry form (Special Projects Design Request Form) or phone (814) 865-6580 to begin the process. Use our criteria checklist to guide you through the configurations necessary to interconnect with Penn State Wireless.

4.7. I already have a wireless network. Can I get help with enhancing its security? ITS Can Help Enhance Your Existing Wireless Network Security. Data security is of primary importance. With wireless technology anyone within range using the right equipment could eavesdrop and gain access to the wireless system and therefore, the wired network. However, ITS provides the Penn State community with a secure computing environment using Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology which requires users to authenticate before accessing the wireless services and provides encryption of the wireless traffic. In addition, a VPN allows you to access Penn State resources that are restricted to Penn State IP addresses. If your department already has a wireless network, using Penn State Wireless Assist will enable your local network to have state-of-the-art security and seamless connection to the larger Penn State Wireless. Once installed, individuals can access Penn State Wireless using VPN client software. (Users must download and configure a VPN client application on their laptop.) The VPN software has been designed for ease of use; the one-time installation process is completely automatic. Once the VPN client is installed, a user need only log in to Penn State Wireless using their Access Account user name and password. With this authentication solution and user accountability, Penn State Wireless users can feel confident that their data transfers are safe while being transmitted via the VPN. However, both the sending and receiving computers must also have appropriate security safeguards.

4.8. Who can access Penn State Wireless? If Penn State Wireless has been installed in a building, any student, faculty, or staff who has an Access Account and the Virtual Private Network (VPN) software loaded on their laptop can access Penn State Wireless and Penn State Internet Services. Also see the wireless locations list.

4.9. Where can I find technical information on Penn State Wireless? See Section 3: Technical Information in this FAQ. In addition, technical information on wireless LAN architecture is available. The terminology section may also be helpful. Each building, on every campus, requires a designated Wireless LAN Administrative, Technical or Security contact.

4.10. What are the policies and standards pertaining to operating a wireless network? See the policy on the Installation and Maintenance of Local Area Networks (includes information on both wired and wireless LANs) and the policy on Local Area Network (LAN) Design. In addition, those electing to deploy their own wireless local area network should review Wireless Networking Standards.

4.11. How do I select equipment to implement the next generation of wireless computing at Penn State? The currently available Penn State Wireless (ITS Wireless SecureNet) service depends on the use of an ITS-provided Virtual Private Network (VPN) concentrator at each campus location to support the service, for both authentication and over-the-air encryption. The next generation of Penn State Wireless will move both of these functions to the network edge, in which case access points or other wireless equipment installed in the future, whether by ITS or by administrative units choosing to deploy equipment themselves, will need to fulfill those functions. To accomplish this, the equipment used will need to have certain capabilities, based upon the architectural model chosen. See the Guide for selecting equipment to implement Penn State Wireless for more information.

Section 5. Miscellaneous

5.1. My department has installed their own wireless LAN. How can we increase our level of security? ITS offers Penn State Wireless Assist, a secure method for interconnecting your existing wireless LAN, using state-of-the-art encryption technology.

5.2. I have a question that is not on this FAQ. What should I do? Contact TNS through the web service inquiry form (Special Projects Design Request Form) or phone (814) 865-6580.