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FAQ Wireless Networking

For information related to this topic refer to:

FAQs 

I'm not sure if my laptop has an internal wireless card already installed, how can I check?

Follow instructions to determine if you have a wireless or wired ethernet card installed.

Where is wireless networking available on campus?

Wireless Andrew covers the entire campus including four million square feet of interior floor space and one-two acres of outside areas. The following exceptions and reasons are noted:

Building    
4170 2nd Avenue   SCS building. Currently, the building doesn't have fiber.
This is being worked on so there may be wireless in the future.
4609 Winthrop Street   Building network is provided by laser heads, and it's not owned by Carnegie Mellon. Limited number of staff members using the facility.
4616 Forbes Ave   GATF building. Building is not owned by Carnegie Mellon. We are currently working on installing some wireless but it will probably not have full coverage.
6555 Penn Ave   Currently working on the design; building to have at least limited coverage within the next couple of months.
Marybelle/Veronica   Not owned by Carnegie Mellon; limited fiber to the building.  No plans to add wireless.
Shadyoaks Apts.    Not owned by Carnegie Mellon; limited fiber to the building.  No plans to add wireless.
Parking Garage    Plans to add wireless in the near future.

Are there any restrictions on using the wireless network?

Yes. There are guidelines and policies in place that explain the restrictions for using the wireless network on campus. These guidelines can be reviewed by accessing the Computing Policy and Guideline listing; click on the appropriate links.

Can I do everything with a wireless connection that can be done with a wired connection?

Yes. However, the wireless network is a shared resource and a complimentary service that is not intended to be a replacement for the campus wired infrastructure. We do discourage users from running any high bandwidth service on the wireless network. We recommend that you also establish a wired connection for your machine.

Does it matter how many people are using the wireless network at one time? Can the network handle hundreds of users logged in at the same time?

The network can handle hundreds of users logged in at one time, however, the more people actively using the network the slower it gets. Performance changes are more easily noticed on an 11Mbps shared network like Wireless Andrew as compared to a higher bandwidth shared network. Typically, an access point (there are over 400 access points on campus) can handle 40 computers without losing performance.

Can I setup my Apple Base Station on campus?

No. Use of any wireless devices to setup your own Wireless network is banned on campus. The use of the airspace may cause problems with the Wireless Andrew network. However, it is possible to setup a wireless network off campus and connect to the campus network using dsl. Please review the Airspace Policy and Guidelines.

I have a 11Mbps card but I'm not even getting 5Mbps. Is my card defective?

The speed advertised is a theoretical maximum speed. You're unlikely to achieve those speeds in the real world. With a 11Mbps card, you will see a maximum of around 5Mbps.

Wireless networking is, by nature, more prone to disruption than a wired network. Your connection may be affected by large metal objects (desks, filing cabinets, and even metal-backed whiteboards or chalkboards). When the wireless network was set up in each building, these things were taken into account, but cabinets and desks move, and coverage may be affected.

Also, the speed of the wireless network is shared among all users who are using a particular access point. If you are in a crowded area with other wireless users, you may see significantly reduced speeds.

The wireless network is not intended as a replacement for the wired network. If you are running a machine from a fixed location, we recommend that you use a traditional ethernet connection.

Will my Windows CE device work with Wireless Andrew? What about my Linux laptop?

You can use Wireless Andrew with most Windows CE machines and with Linux laptops. However, because these platforms are not supported, Computing Services is not prepared to provide assistance with these machines.

I already registered my computer through NetReg for a wired ethernet connection, do I need to register again to get a Wireless Andrew connection?

Yes. Each ethernet card has a unique address. For your Wireless Andrew network connection to work properly you must register your wireless ethernet address. For more information of registering your Ethernet address, please visit the Network Registration web page at: http://netreg.net.cmu.edu

What should I do if I am getting a bad signal strength?

If you are in a building where wireless is supported but you are not getting a good connection because of poor signal strength, (you can see the signal strength by using Site Monitor on a Windows machine), you should report the location to the Help Center. You can report a low coverage area by sending email to advisor@andrew.cmu.edu.

Last Updated: 2/2/07