FAQ on CityU Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Service

What is a WLAN?

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a flexible data communication system using radio frequency (RF) technology to transmit and receive data over the air. It can be integrated with existing campus network seamlessly and easily so that we can enjoy network computing without looking for a physical network port.

What are the advantages of using WLAN?

  • Provide broader network coverage.
  • Allows completely wireless connection (both network and power) when used with laptop computers or PDAs.
  • Users can access campus network in ordinary classrooms or common areas where computer is not available.
  • Provide network service where conventional network wiring is not possible or difficult.
  • Provide more scalable network service.

What are the limitations of using WLAN?

  • The actual data throughput of WLAN is far less than that of the convention wired network (100/1000 Mbps) and is on a shared base among concurrent users of an access point.
  • Bandwidth still cannot support large class size or simultaneous connections running high bandwidth demanding applications.
  • CityTV is not supported over WLAN.

Which OS platforms are compatible with the CityU Wireless LAN environment?

Most modern Operating Systems with WPA/VPN support or Web Browser installed are compatible with the CityU Wireless LAN environment.

Can I access the the CityU e-Portal with Wireless LAN?

Yes.

Where can I use the WLAN?

You can access the WLAN wherever you find the WLAN logo around. Currently more than 600 Access Points are installed throughout the University to provide WLAN service. Area covered includes staff offices, classrooms, Lecture Theatres, the 4/F Podium, Student Canteen, Chinese Garden, Covered Terrace, Multi-function Halls of the Student Residence, etc. As an ongoing improvement of services, more coverage and better connection quality, will be pursuited. Click for more details.

What equipment is required to access the WLAN?

A notebook computer or handheld computer with wireless connectivity compliance to the IEEE 802.11a, b or g standard.

Most notebook computers have been equipped with a wireless connectivity or a PCMCIA wireless LAN card, while handheld computers may usually support the wireless connectivity. Users of IBM Thinkpads are advised to consult IBM Thinkpad Services Centre at 21942292 for maintenance service. Staff members may raise a CSC Work Request and our staff will be delighted to help you to configure the notebook computer to access the WLAN.

Can students use their own wireless cards?

Yes. A student can register two wireless LAN cards (one for notebook computer and one for PDA). Before registration, you have to know the hardware/MAC address of your wireless LAN card, which is usually printed on the network card. To know how to find the MAC address in various operating systems, please click here.

Can staff use their own wireless LAN cards?

Yes. Staff and departments can register their own wireless LAN cards . For more details, please call the CSC Help Desk at 2788 7658.

The website of registering the Wireless LAN cards, Network Connection Management System, cannot be reached.

If you are using other ISP broadband /dial-up service at home or in office, please kindly setup a VPN connection in your PC. After established CityU VPN connection, you can go to https://applix.cityu.edu.hk/ncm/login.asp for network application. Please use your Network Connection Password to login VPN. Network connection password is the password used to login a PC in CSC Student Terminal Area.

For more details of VPN setup guide, please visit
http://www.cityu.edu.hk/csc/deptweb/facilities/ctnet/vpn/vpn.htm

When you are in CityU Campus, please simple login a PC in CSC Student Terminal Area or Express Terminal and visit https://applix.cityu.edu.hk/ncm/login.asp for network application.

What is the bandwidth of the WLAN?

CityU WLAN conforms to the industrial standard IEEE 802.11 a, b and g. It allows a maximum of 54 Mbps (IEEE 802.11a/g) or 11 Mbps (IEEE 802.11b) transfer speed and should satisfy general network applications such as Internet browsing, e-mail application, etc.

What is the suggested usage of CityU Wireless LAN?

  • CityU e-Portal to access all information about the university at your finger tips
  • Web based online learning
  • Internet browsing
  • E-mail
  • Read news
  • Online discussions (forum and chat)
  • File transfer and sharing

Do I need to buy my own notebook computer?

If you do not have your own notebook computer, you may still use the WLAN service.

For student:

You may consider the Notebook Computer Loan Service offered by CSC to borrow a notebook computer with build-in wireless connectivity.

For staff:

Staff who would like to use WLAN service may use their own notebooks or borrow notebooks with WLAN support from their departments.

Warning:

If you are using a notebook computer from any loan pool to access the WLAN, we strongly recommend that you should not use the 'AutoComplete' feature of the browser to auto-login to the WLAN. Otherwise, your account may be used by others after you return the notebook. In fact, you should NEVER save your personal information in a shared notebook to protect yourself.  

Do I need to login?

Yes. Before you can connect to the WLAN, user authentication is required for security purpose. You are prompted for a valid logon. Please use your Network Connection Password to logon.

There are three login methods available (WPA, VPN and Web), which one should I choose?

  • We strongly recommend all users to use the WPA method to establish WLAN connection. Once the connection is established, all data sent to the air is encrypted. Even though someone captures the data, he/she cannot decrypt the data so easily. Hence privacy and security are ensured.
  • The Web logon method is purposely provided for those platforms that do not supporting WPA or VPN connection. Only your logon name and password are encrypted during authentication but other information send to the air is not encrypted.

I cannot login. How can I solve this problem?

  • Please use your network connection password to logon. If you forget your password, please visit the CSC Service Counter to reset the password.
  • Access of the CityU wireless LAN may be suspended if there is connection under this user name spreading computer viruses or similar. The user will be notified by email. After the user has cleaned up his/her computer and notified to CSC by email (cc@cityu.edu.hk), the account will be re-activated within 2 working days.

I can login but cannot access the campus network nor the Internet. How can I solve this problem?

  • Please check the network configuration of your system. The IP address, DNS servers and gateway parameters of a WLAN client are assigned by DHCP servers. Do not hard code these parameters in your system manually.
  • Remove proxy setting in your browser.
  • Temporary disable the personal firewall if it is enabled in your system to see if it can solve the problem. If so, you need to modify the policies of the firewall.

Do I need to logout?

The system will terminate all your sessions automatically if your WLAN device is idle for more than 30 minutes. However, if you need to logout manually for any reason, you may:

What is the procedure to use the WLAN?

For Student

  1. Borrow a WLAN notebook computer from the CSC Service Counter or use your own wireless LAN network card registered with CSC beforehand
  2. Find a location where the WLAN logo is available
  3. Power On the notebook computer
  4. Logon to the WLAN via WPA, VPN connection or via Web logon page by entering URL of a web site
  5. You can now access the Internet and campus network over the CityU WLAN
  6. Logout or disconnect from the WLAN

For Staff

  1. Register the card
  2. Install and configure the notebook to work with the WLAN card
  3. Find a location where the WLAN logo is available
  4. Power On the notebook computer
  5. Logon to the WLAN
  6. You can now access the WLAN

I use an IBM Thinkpad T43 to connect to the WLAN and find the connection speed fluctuates and connection sometimes drops.

You are kindly advised to upgrade driver of the WLAN adapter to ver. 9.0.2.31 or above. Please visit http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/homeLenovo.do and follow instructions there to download and upgrade.

If you find the signal level is too low, you can maximize the transmission power of your WLAN card.

You may also obtain more consulation at IBM Thinkpad Services Centre at 21942292.