Wireless FAQ

Wireless Networking - Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Where are the wireless Access Points?

There are access points in the Library on the San Marcos campus (all three floors) and in the Student Union building.  The Student Union access points have a very wide range, and are accessible quite far from the building.  The new Natural Sciences building also has wireless access.  For details on other buildings, contact our IS department help desk at ext. 2140.

Q.  Do I need a specific IP address or DNS or gateway server configured for this to work?

No.  The name of the wireless student network at Palomar College is "InternetOnly".  Your wireless card will automatically find it and connect.

Q.  Do I need to login with a username or password to use the wireless network?

No.  Once your wireless network card is configured correctly, it will recognize our access point and you will have access to Internet.

Q.  Can I print from the wireless network?

No.  The best solution to this problem if you must print immediately is to transfer your document to a floppy or USB flash drive and bring the disk or drive to the Academic Technology lab on the ground floor of the library for printing.

Q.  Can I do email over the wireless network?

If you are using web-based mail, then the answer is yes.  For security reasons many non-standard Internet ports are blocked on the wireless network, so non-web-based email will not work.  We recommend that you do not try to download large email attachments or run streaming media over the wireless network.

Q.  Is the wireless network just as fast as the wired network?

"Just as fast" is a vague term.  It could be that for simple operations, like browsing web pages, that the wireless network will be just as fast as the wired network, but there is much more bandwidth available to the wired network than the wireless one.

Q.  Does it matter how many people are using the wireless network at one time?

Yes.  The more active users there are on the same wireless network, the slower it will work.  They share the available bandwidth, so it depends on what they are all doing.  A single access point should be able to handle about 30 connected users without becoming too sluggish, unless they are all attempting some high bandwidth operation.

Q.  Can I set up my own Access Point on campus?

Absolutely not!  This is a violation of our telecommunications usage policy.

Q.  Will I experience interference or disruptions on the wireless network?

It is possible.  The wireless network operates at the 2.4GHz radio frequency range, the same range used by mobile phones, microwave ovens and other rf devices.  Large physical barriers, like steel reinforced walls, will cause interference.  Access on the third floor of the library, especially at the periphery of the room, is especially poor because of the book stacks.

Q.  What is "roaming"?

A wireless computer can "roam" from one access point to another, depending on the strength of signal coming from the access point.  Your wireless network card will negotiate the best connection, and move from one access point to another transparently.

Q.  Are wireless communications between client computers and access points encrypted?

No.  Just like the wired network, they are open, non-encrypted, and could potentially be intercepted.  Use the network with this understanding.

Q.  Why don't I have to login to use the wireless network at Palomar?

Because the wireless network is segregated from the rest of the network, you are not required to login because you do not have access to any of the standard network assets.  You have Internet access over wireless, and that is all.

Q. I am a faculty member.  Can I use the VPN (Virtual Private Network) with the wireless network to access my Palomar assets directly?

Yes.

Q.  Is there a health hazard associated with wireless networking?

Cautions while using wireless devices include the following:

"Caution:  Do not touch or move antenna while the unit is transmitting or receiving."

"Caution:  Do not hold any component containing the radio so that the antenna is very close or touching any exposed parts of the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting."

It is worth noting, however, that electromagnetic energy surrounds us, and that wireless networking products produce very low energy outputs.  The following chart compares a wireless networking Access Point to other common radio frequency producing devices:

Device	Energy Emissions in milliWatts
Wireless Access Point	30 mW
Cell Phone	600 mW
Microwave Oven	500,000 to 1,000,000 mW