Wireless Local Area Network FAQs

1. What is a Wireless LAN?

Wireless networking consists of a wireless local area network (LAN) that connects a laptop or mobile device to the UTHSCSA campus network. Wireless technology uses Radio Frequency signals instead of Ethernet cables to connect users to our campus LAN. Two devices involved in using a wireless LAN are an access point and a wireless access card. Access points are connected to the network by cables and communicate by transmitting and receiving the radio signals. Access point antennas then communicate to a built-in radio that is stored in a wireless access card.

UTHSCSA provides for the sharing of the 802.11b wireless standard in the area of an access point. The more users using the same access point, the less bandwidth available for other users. The campus wired computer network on the other hand dedicates a minimum of 10 Mbps, in some locations 100 Mbps, to each computing device. Therefore, to better manage the available wireless bandwidth, T&N will authenticate only mobile devices (laptop, tablet or PDA) for use on the wireless computer network. Desktop computers and servers will not be authorized to use the wireless computer network so that the maximum bandwidth is available to mobile devices.


2. Where can I use the wireless networking?

Telecommunications and Networking (T&N) is pleased to provide a wireless Local Area Network(LAN) in the following locations. Faculty, staff, and students can now access the campus LAN while using laptop computers in these areas. You will find it a very convenient method of connecting to the various information resources available on campus and on the Internet.

    Central Campus
    Academic and Administration Building
    Nursing Buildings
    Lone Star Cafe - 1st floor Dental School
    Subway/Java City Corridor
    Medical and Dental School Buildings - main lecture rooms
    Medical School V-corridor (Basic Sciences) - lab areas (except Lab Animal)
    Medical School - most lab areas
    Dental School - most lab areas
    University Plaza - 3rd Floor
    North Campus
    Allied Health Building
    McDermott Building
    Children's Cancer Research Institute
    Texas Research Park
    IBT Building (Hayden Head Building)
    AT&T Conference Center
    Cafeteria
    Barshop Building
    Outside San Antonio Campuses
    DD Hachar - Laredo
    RAHC - Harlingen
    RAHC - Edinburg

3. How can I access the Wireless Network?

Effective November 1, 2006, MAC address will no longer be required for wireless service on the Central and North Campuses. Instead, you will simply authenticate using your domain username and password. Once connected you will need to run a browser that will be redirected to a login page. Enter your username and password and you will have access to the Internet. To use the enhancement you must use the new wireless network name (SSID) "HSCair". Access to the UTHSCSA network resources behind the firewall requires the VPN software.

All other campuses currently require authentication via mobile device MAC address. The mobile device must be brought to T&N Customer Service Central Campus, Medical School Building, Room 421.L. A second option is to verify with your department TSR. The TSR may have priveleges to authenticate the device remotely.

Use of the wireless network is restricted to mobile devices only (laptops or PDAs) in order to ensure adequate bandwidth for each user. Any use of the wireless network by a desktop is a violation of the Network Access Policy (HOP 5.8.7)

4. Where do I go for assistance to get access to the wireless network?

Please contact Telecommunications and Networking (T&N) Customer Service either by email at Comments@uthscsa.edu , telephone at (210) 567-2061, or in person in Room 421L, see T&N Location Map . Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For after hour emergencies, please contact UTHSCSA Police at (210) 567-2800 and they will contact T&N Staff who will return the call.

5. What kind of wireless network card will I need and where can I buy it?

While some newer laptops (including DS1 laptops) are equipped with internal interface cards, most will require the purchase of an interface card. The Cisco interface cards are recommended and sell for approximately $150 at local electronics stores.

6. What is the fee for using wireless networking?

Wireless access is available to all UTHSCSA Faculty, Staff, and Students at no charge.

7. What are the security issues involved with wireless networking?

For security purposes, it is necessary to be set up as an authorized user. UTHSCSA wireless network has security measures to protect data.

UTHSCSA's wireless technology setup uses the 802.11b technology which operates at 2.4GHz and shares the same frequency spectrum that other devices use, such as microwave ovens and some cordless telephones. Therefore, there is the possibility for interference and/or interception of data.

Currently, a security protocol called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is enforced on our wireless local area networks. WEP provides security by encrypting data over radio waves so data is protected while in transmission. However, this technology does not guarantee 100% security and only minimizes the threat of interception.

For secure connection, UTHSCSA offers remote network access using the campus VPN (Virtual Private Network).