Wireless Networking has arrived UNC Charlotte. Wireless Networking will allow you to access web enabled applications and resources from your wireless enabled device without the need of plugging into a network data jack. 802.11b Wireless Access Points are currently being installed in select locations around campus and as budgets allow, we hope to have the majority of campus covered for wireless access.

Wireless Protocols

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What is Required of You

A Wireless Ethernet Card
You will need an 802.11b compliant wireless network card installed in your computer. Regardless of brand, it is critical that the NIC be 802.11b compliant.  Other types of wireless adapters will not function. 


SSID
The SSID is the identifier of a Wireless Network. Sometimes it is called the Radio Network Name. It is used to separate multiple Wireless Networks that may overlap one another. The current SSID used for accessing the campus wireless network is uncc49er. You will need to configure you wireless NIC card to use this SSID.


A Valid Novell or 49er Express Account
Currently a valid Novell or 49er Express account (Faculty or Staff Account) is required for authenticate and access to the wireless network system.

Speeds and Specs

 
Physical Obstacles
Things like walls, glass, and people standing between you and the Access Point Antenna will affect your transmissions speeds. The more obstacles you make the signal go around, the slower the network connection you will have.


Number of Users
Wireless Networks are know as "Shared Networks." That is to say, you will share the bandwidth with whoever else is using the wireless network at the same time you are. (Similar to Cable Modem service.) If 2 people are using a 11MB wireless network, then they both are actually getting only about 5.5MB of Bandwidth each when they use the network at the same time. Web browsing performs generally quite well in a shared environment since all you are doing is downloading html pages. Listening to your favorite MP3 from a Napster Site or viewing the latest news video from CNN however, would probably not be a pleasurable experience. If you need to do these types of activities, it is HIGHLY ADVISABLE to set your stream rate in those programs to a low setting. 56K for example.


Other Interference
802.11b operates in the 2.4 GHz range with a signal strength of 100mW. It is conceivable that someone or something could generate a signal within this range, and thus disrupt your signal to you. This is the same frequency range as the home wireless phones you can buy at your local electronics store as well as several other popular wireless devices. Microwave ovens are also known to disrupt 802.11b wireless networks.


Distance
The farther away you go from the Access Point Antenna, the slower your wireless network connection will be. Generally you will get speeds of 11MB up to about 100 feet from the Access Point. Between 100 and 200 feet, you can expect 5MB of bandwidth. After that, service drops to 1MB of service until you are completely out of range. Remember, these figures are for optimal conditions. All of the above items will play a role in you final wireless connection speeds.

What can I Access?

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Wireless Network Card Drivers

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Is Encryption Available?

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Where can I use Wireless?

Currently the Wireless Network is installed in the following locations. Stay tuned to this web page for further installation locations.
 

–SAC                          Food Court & Game Room

–Cone Center             Food Court & After Hours Lounge

–Atkins Library         Floors L, G, 1, 2, & 3 commons

–Prospector                Student & Faculty Cafeterias

–Smith                        South 200 Level

–Friday                       1^st & 2^nd Flr commons, 290/Grad Study

–Fretwell                    1st, 2^nd & 3rd Flr commons, Learning center, Ratazza’s Cafe   

–Admissions             Admin / Fretwell Greenspace

–Uptown Center        Boardroom and Rooms 322, 326, 328, & 330

–Outside                    Areas between these buildings generally have coverage.