Connecting to the UF Wireless Network
The museum currently has one Wireless Access Point. It is located near the outside exhibit display areas of Dickinson Hall and was installed to provide service to the outside courtyard area and picnic tables.
To connect to the UF wireless network, you must possess a UF Gatorlink ID. Never connect to a wireless network without using the UF VPN (Virtual Private Network) Service. The VPN service encrypts the communication from your wireless computer to the Wireless Access Point. UF allows a wireless computer to authenticate using a WIPA (Walkup Internet Port Authentication) logon page. However, this is not secure and should not be used. If you do not use the VPN Service, your network communication (including usernames and passwords) can be "sniffed" out of the air.
Always connect using the UF VPN Client software. You can use the VPN Client software from anywhere on the Internet. The software protects you wherever you are using a wireless connection. You have established a secure connection through the VPN server when your computer displays the yellow lock icon in your system tray.
- UF VPN Service - Information
- Download the UF VPN Software (Gatorlink login required)
- UF Campus Wireless Coverage Map
Connecting to the Wireless Network
If the software and drivers for your wireless adapter have been installed, you will have an icon in your system tray. The Cisco Aironet adapter looks like the following:
To enable your wireless connection, right-click on the wireless icon and select "Enable Radio" or "Turn Radio On":
When your radio is activated, the wireless adapter begins looking for a Wireless Access Point. If it finds one, your icon should change to a colored icon:
A Dell wireless adapter will have a different icon, but will behave in a similar fashion:
IMMEDIATELY run the Cisco VPN client software (VPN Dialer). You will then see the VPN client logon screen. Use your UF Gatorlink username and password to sign into the VPN Server:
Once you have successfully connected to the VPN Server, you will have a yellow padlock in your system tray:
Before connecting to the Internet, reading email, or using any other network services, your system tray should look similar to the previous picture, and the yellow padlock should be in your system tray.
You may have poor performance if you are getting a weak signal. The wireless adapter icon in your system tray will change to indicate the strength of the signal. For example, the Cisco Aironet adapter changes to yellow, then to red, to indicate a weak signal. To correct this situation, you should move closer to the Wireless Access Point.
