First, the computer has to have wireless capability. Most newer laptops have it built in. Older computers and laptops have to have a wireless adapter installed.

Wireless in UCCE and REC offices

We've installed wireless access points at over 30 Cooperative Extension and REC offices. List of Offices with Wireless

A wireless signal that is broadcast from the access point is called an SSID. Two SSID's are built into the access point. One for guests to the office, the other for staff. The access point keeps the two groups completely separate. The SSID for guests can not access any of the office network resources only the Internet. The staff SSID is a part of the office network just like all the other computers in the office i.e. you can share files and use printers and other networked resources.

NOTE: Starting in July 2008 we are changing to new, more secure SSID's. Your ANR Portal, under Office Network Information, will tell you which SSID's are available in your office. During a transition period both the old and the new ones will work. Use the new ones if you see them when you search for available wireless networks on your laptop.

New: UCANR_Staff
New: GuestANR

Old: UCANR_Offices
Old: Guest

How to set up your Windows XP laptop to use wireless

Your laptop will have wireless software on it. The easiest way to connect is to open the software and have it search for available networks. If you see the appropriate SSID as listed above, select it, click Connect, and enter the key you can access from your ANR Portal.

If you can't do it the simple way then try this:

Using the wireless software that comes with Windows, right click on My Network Places, select Properties. In the section labeled LAN or High-Speed Internet, right-click on the wireless entry and choose Properties.

In the Properties dialog box:

• Select the tab labeled "Wireless Networks"
• Make sure that the box labeled "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" is checked.
• Click on the Add button.
• In the entry box labeled "Network name (SSID)," type the SSID you want to use.
• In the drop down box labeled "Network Authentication," select "Open'
• In the drop down box labeled "Data Encryption," select "WEP" for UCANR_Offices or Guest; select WPA for UCANR_

• Enter your network key. Retype the key in the entry box labeled "Confirm Network key."

The instructions above are for using the wireless software that comes as part of Windows. But you may have other wireless software on your computer as well. For example Dell laptops often come with "Intel PROset Wireless" software that you can find in Programs. Or if you installed a wireless card it may have come with an installation disk that included the manufacturer's software. If you do have more than one brand of wireless software on your computer and you have a problem getting it to work you may need to disable the ones you don't want to use and enable the one you do.

How to set up your Mac to use wireless

• From the Apple Menu choose AirPort to open the AirPort configuration application.
• Click on the triangle next to Settings to see the options in this section.
• Click on the arrows to the right of the Choose network field. Select Other... from the list.
• A dialog box will display asking for a network name, enter the SSID and the password, which is the key you find in your ANR Portal under Office Network Information.
• Click OK.
• Close the AirPort configuration application.
• Next, go to the Apple Menu, to Control Panels, and select TCP/IP.
• Make sure that "Connect via:" is set to "AirPort," and that "Configure" is set to "Using DHCP Server".
• Close the TCP/IP control panel, saving the changes you just made when prompted.