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The Penn State Wireless network provides on-the-go laptop users with fast and convenient access to e-mail and Web-based services, including the Penn State Portal, eLion, ANGEL, LIAS and many other Internet services.
If you are one of the many laptop computer users at Penn State, the campus wireless network enables you to move about campus and take your network connection with you.
To get started with wireless computing, your laptop must be "wireless capable", i.e. it has an 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g wireless adapter. You also will need to download the free Virtual Private Network (VPN) software available at https://www.work.psu.edu/access/vpn/. If your laptop does not have a wireless adapter, you can purchase one from the Penn State Computer Store at http://computerstore.psu.edu/ or at their showroom at 12 Willard Building on the University Park campus. The VPN software enables you to have a secure network connection on your laptop while accessing Penn State's networking resources.
To connect and use the Penn State Wireless network (and the Internet) on campus simply power up your laptop and,
You are now connected to the Penn State Wireless network!
A wireless connection gives you access to whatever you can do on the network with a wired connection.
If you're a student, you can check your e-mail between classes, review study materials posted on class Web sites and prepare assignments. A Penn State Wireless connection provides access to the Internet and online Penn State resources that students need, including ANGEL, eLion, library resources, and other features. At a growing number of Penn State campus locations, you can take your network connection with you—to student gathering areas (like the HUB at University Park campus), student food courts/coffee or snack bars on campus, or one of several outdoor plaza areas equipped with wireless connectivity—and take advantage of your study time and your free time.
With Penn State Wireless, faculty and academic advisors can more easily communicate with students and each other while on campus, even when away from their offices or without access to a conventionally networked computer.
Wireless computing makes it easy for administrative staff members to take their laptops and other mobile devices, such as PDA's, with them to meetings and conferences in their building or around campus.
Currently, there are 60 buildings (and more are being added) at the University Park campus with Penn State Wireless access services. In addition to University Park, 17 other campus locations have installed wireless networks. Wireless access is also available in some outdoor areas at several Penn State campus locations. At University Park, those areas include the HUB Plaza, Willard Plaza, Thomas Plaza and the outdoor area surrounding the new Business Building. University Housing recently installed wireless access points on the first two floors of Redifer and Waring Commons (at the University Park campus) and additional wireless access may be added to other University Housing residence hall buildings in the future.
Wireless "Signal" signs will soon be showing up and posted in buildings around campus. The Wireless "Signal" sign indicates there is at least one Penn State Wireless access signal located in the specific building or surrounding area. Since posting of the sign is optional, and at the discretion of the building's facility coordinator, not all Penn State Wireless access locations may display the Wireless "Signal" sign.
More information on wireless locations is available online at http://wireless.psu.edu/.
If you are having trouble getting a wireless connection or have general questions about Penn State Wireless service, the ITS Help Desk can assist. Contact the Information Technology Services (ITS) Help desk for assistance.
Telephone: 814-863-1035 or 814-863-2494
Email: helpdesk@psu.edu
Web: http://helpdesk.psu.edu/help.html
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun: 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
For complete information on Penn State Wireless computing, including requirements and step-by-step instructions, wireless locations, and answers to frequently asked questions about wireless, visit the Penn State Wireless Web site at http://www.wireless.psu.edu/. Information pertinent to Penn State wireless network administrators is also provided at this Web site.
