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 Wireless Overview Getting Started MWireless Installers Access Locations & Maps Frequently Asked Questions Security & Usage Issues Network Administration Information Getting Started
Who can use this network?This network is available to all University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff who have a valid U-M uniqname and associated UMICH Kerberos password.
What do I need to use MWireless?You will need a computer with an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g or IEEE 802.11b/g wireless LAN network card that supports 802.1X/WPA2 and software you can download from the Blue Disc.Most newer laptop computers are equipped with a built-in IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11a/b/g or IEEE 802.11b/g wireless network card. If the laptop you are using does not have a built-in wireless network card you will need an external wireless card. In either case, look for a Wi-Fi Certification label or you can check to see if a wireless card is Wi-Fi certified on the Wi-Fi Alliance web site.
To login in to MWireless, you will need to install special software on your laptop. University of Michigan students, faculty and staff can download this software from the What are the system requirements to use the software needed for MWireless on a Windows laptop? Microsoft Windows hotfix, Wireless Client Update for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 must be installed on your laptop. The MWireless installer requires that you use Windows Wireless Zero Config to manage your wireless network. If your laptop uses something other than Windows Wireless Zero Config to manage your wireless connections, you must disable that software to use the MWireless installer or install the software manually. Some wireless devices do not support WPA2 or may require an update of the wireless card driver, an add-on card, or an external adapter. You can contact the vendor to determine 802.1X/WPA2 compatibility or check the WiFi Alliance web site. What are the system requirements to use the software needed to use MWireless on a MAC laptop? OS 10.4 or later.
What do I need to use UM Wireless Network?You will need a computer with an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11a/b/g or IEEE 802.11b/g wireless LAN network card and network browser. Although they will work, devices that only utilize the IEEE 802.11b standard are not recommended.Most newer laptop computers are equipped with a built-in IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11a/g/b, or IEEE 802.11b/g wireless network card. If the laptop you are using does not have a built-in wireless network card you will need an external wireless card. In either case, look for a Wi-Fi Certification label or you can check to see if a wireless card is Wi-Fi certified on the Wi-Fi Alliance web site.
Connecting to MWirelessYou will need to be in a location where the MWireless network is available. Windows XP
NOTE: Windows Vista may ask you to select a location for the MWireless network. Selecting Public location is usually the best choice. Windows Vista will inform you that you have successfully set network settings. To Connect:
To Disconnect:
Connecting to UM Wireless NetworkYou will need to be in a location where the UM Wireless Network is available.
If you roam out of range, put your computer in hibernation/sleep mode or turn it off for at least 10 minutes, you will be automatically logged out of UM Wireless Network.
What do I need to take advantage of IEEE 802.11n bandwidth on campus?You will need to be in an area where 802.11n is available. Check the University of Michigan wireless network locations map for this information. MWireless and UM Wireless Network locations that have 802.11a/b/g/n Access Points are colored blue.Your laptop will need to have a dual-band 802.11n wireless card. Not all laptops that are advertised as having 802.11n capabilities have dual-band cards. Some have single-band cards. If your laptop has a single-band 802.11n card, it will connect at 802.11a/g speeds when using MWireless or UM Wireless Network on campus.
Security and PrivacyWireless technologies are relatively insecure. A number of different technologies utilize the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz communications bands, including: wireless computers, cordless phones, microwave ovens, and Bluetooth. These devices may interfere with wireless LAN connections. It is also possible for Wireless LAN radio signals to be intercepted by unintended receivers.MWireless is the most secure wireless network on campus, available to all U-M faculty, staff and students. All of the data between your laptop and the Access Point is encrypted. Before using MWireless, you will need to download and install software on your laptop. This software will then be used to login to the wireless network with your U-M uniqname and UMICH Kerberos password. MWireless software is based on Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), the most recent standard method to provide security on wireless networks. WPA2 is based on the IEEE 802.11i standard. It uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which provides the strongest level of encryption today. To use MWireless, the wireless device you are using must be able to use WPA2 Enterprise security. Most laptops produced in the last three years should be able to use WPA2 Enterprise. You can check the the Wi-Fi Alliance web site to see if the device in your computer is WPA2 Enterprise certified. UM Wireless Network is an open network. Your password is encrypted during the login process. Once connected, though, your data is not secured unless you are using a secure application such as a VPN or SSL web site. (mail.umich.edu is a secure web site. Look for the lock icon in your web browser to determine the security of the web pages you visit. A closed lock icon indicates the web page is secure.) It is very important to make certain your computer always has the latest anti-virus software and security patches installed. Information about computer security and privacy is available online. Using the software available in on the latest U-M Blue Disc will help increase the security of your UM Wireless Network sessions. The software on the U-M Blue Disc is configured to encrypt your passwords and, in some cases, the software will encrypt the session. The U-M Blue Disc also includes anti-virus software.
User ProblemsNeed help? Call 764-HELP.
Getting a "Blue Screen" when trying to connect to UM Wireless Network?If your Windows laptop crashes and displays a Blue Screen with an error message, called the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), and then reboots, when trying to connect to UM Wireless Network, most likely there is a problem with the wireless driver on the laptop. This symptom may not appear at other wireless sites (your home, local Hotspots, etc.).If the laptop has an Intel 2200bg wireless card, the wireless driver must be upgraded either with the generic Intel driver or one provided by the laptop manufacturer. This issue is detailed and links for driver updates can be found on the Intel Corporation web site. If the laptop does not have the Intel wireless chipset, it is still recommended that the latest wireless diver be installed. If you still experience the problem, please contact um_wireless_network@umich.edu for additional support.
Using Your Wireless Device Other PlacesYou can use your wireless device in many locations on the University of Michigan campus, see Access Locations & Maps.Many off campus locations such as airports, coffee shops, hotels, and etc. offer wireless connectivity. In addition, consumer-oriented IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11a/b/g and IEEE 802.11b/g access points, sometimes called "base stations" are available from a number of vendors for home use. Properly configured, the you can use the same wireless device you use to connect to UM Wireless Network in these other locations. NOTE: There several standards used for wireless communication; they are not all IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, IEEE 802.11a/b/g, or IEEE 802.11 b/g.
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