UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Bits & Bytes

More Reasons to Unwire

Published in the Aggie on November 3, 2004

If you've been curious about wireless, but knew you couldn't get it where you wanted it, take note. You don't have to lug your heavy books down several flights of stairs and stand in line for an available computer or freeze outside on the Quad during the winter anymore. The campus has expanded wireless service to many convenient new locations:

  • The Activities and Recreation Center (ARC)
  • Bainer Hall
  • Engineering III
  • Freeborn Hall
  • Health Sciences Library
  • Kemper Hall
  • King Law School
  • Medical Sciences Café
  • Physical Sciences Library
  • Silo

As before, wireless service is still available at the following areas:

  • Memorial Union (MU)
  • Quad
  • Shields Library
  • Wellman Hall
  • Shields Extended Hours Reading Room

You might be thinking, “Can I really lift weights and register for classes at the same time?” Why not! Tired of getting kicked out of the labs for drinking coffee? Try the Medical Sciences Café or the MU! Just don't try multiplayer Counter-Strike while you're riding a bicycle; otherwise, your computer might not be the only thing that crashes.

Now that you've safely dismounted your bike, get started by checking to see if your laptop already has wireless capability. If not, install a wireless Internet card on your laptop. Cards for Windows-based PCs may be checked out for up to three days from Shields Library at the 1st floor Information Desk and can be used anywhere on campus. Then follow these simple instructions:

  1. Visit https://computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu/.
  2. Select “Ethernet (NIC) card registration” and click “Begin.”
  3. Provide the requested information (name, ID number, and date of birth) to verify your identity.
  4. Select “Register a computer for DHCP” and click “Continue.”
  5. Fill out the required information and click “Register This Address.” Make sure you get the number of the wireless card – distinguishing between the 12-digit number of the wireless card versus your Ethernet (wired) card can be confusing.
  6. Now configure your computer for DHCP, the protocol your computer uses to access the wireless network. If you need instructions for doing this, visit http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/instruct.html and select your OS.
  7. When you're finished, log on to http://www-wls.ucdavis.edu/

Still having trouble? Visit the IT Express Computing Help Desk in Shields Library, room 182. Bring a photo ID, and a consultant will help you get things running smoothly.

Before you get too excited about the freedom this vast wireless world has to offer, however, there are a few things you should know:

  • Wireless connection speeds vary with your proximity to the base station and according to the number of users on the network.
  • Wireless connections are not terribly secure; therefore, you shouldn't send credit card numbers or passwords over non-encrypted connections. Secure services that use encryption (like MyUCDavis or SISWEB) are still safe to use, though.
  • Don't set up a wireless access point in the dorms. Your neighbors could tap into it, slow down your connection by using your bandwidth, access your personal information, or use your connection for illegal purposes, making it seem as though you are responsible.

So get out there and experience wireless. Just do us one favor: don't try to stand on the eggheads in an effort to improve your reception. It makes them angry. But do get out of the labs and tan that pasty skin; let that wonderful Davis sunshine enlighten your educational experience.

This column is provided to you by the student writers of Information and Educational Technology. For questions and comments, please contact ietpubsjr@ucdavis.edu.

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