Wireless Network Setup for Windows XP

These instructions are for setting up a Windows XP WPA client to access the wireless network within the University of Wollongong.

Note: your wireless card should be installed before completing these instructions. It must have updated drivers to support WPA encryption.

1. Background information
2. Updating Windows XP
3. Proxy Information
4. Further Assistance

Background Information

There are two wireless networks available to students. These networks have been named:
ACHERNAR-A and ACHERNAR-BG.

ACHERNAR-A allows connection to the 802.11a network. This operates at a maximum speed of 54Mbps and is available within buildings only. Your wireless card needs to support 802.11a to access this network.

ACHERNAR-BG allows connection to the 802.11b/g wireless network. This operates at a maximum of 11Mbps for 802.11b network adapters and a maximum of 54Mbps for 802.11g adapters and is available inside and outside of buildings within buildings within the University grounds. Your wireless card needs to support 802.11b or 802.11g to access this network

Important: Throughout these notes ** denotes settings for ACHERNAR-BG

Following are the instructions to download and install the software necessary to configure the Wireless Network access on your computer.

Updating Windows XP

Download the required patch file

NOTE: This patch is only required if you do not have XP SP2. If you have XP SP2, go to Configure your Computer.

1. Log on to the internet and download the Windows XP patch software. Go to the following website:
   www.uow.edu.au/its/wireless/downloads/ and click on the "Window XP Wireless Support Patch". (show me)
2. Click the Save button and choose the location for the executable file to be saved – Desktop may be the most convenient for most people. (show me)
3. Wait while the file downloads. It will appear as an icon.
   (show me)

Install the patch

1. Double click on the executable file and the installation will begin. Make sure all other programs have been closed as you will need to restart your computer when setup is complete. Click Next. (show me)
2. Click I Agree and then click Next. (show me) You will need to wait a few minutes while installation proceeds.
3. When the setup has finished you will see a window. (show me) Click Finish. Your computer will now restart – you can choose to restart at a later time but the computer must be restarted in order for the patch to work.

Configure your computer

1. When your machine has restarted, Go to the Start menu and choose Control Panel.
2. If the Control Panel is in "classic view" choose Network Connections. If in "category view", choose Network & Internet connections and then choose Network Connections.
3. Right click on Wireless Network Connection icon. (show me) From the pull down menu, choose View Available Wireless Networks.
4. A new window will open. Click on the Advanced button in the bottom left corner.

NOTE: If the Advanced button is greyed out click Cancel.
Go to the Start menu and choose Control panel. Make sure you are in Classic View (you may need to click 'Switch to Classic View'). Open the Administrative Tools folder and then double click on the Services shortcut. In the window which opens, scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration and double click.

5. In Startup Type field, choose Automatic and then click Start and then click Apply and then OK. You should now be able to complete the instructions above.
   
6. In the window which now opens, click on Wireless Networks tab at top of window. Click the Add... button in the "Preferred Networks" area. (show me)
7. You must do the following in order as stated below: (show me)
   1. In UPPERCASE, type ACHERNAR-A in field next to Network name (SSID)
      OR
      ** Type ACHERNAR-BG in field next to Network name (SSID)
   2. Choose WPA from pull down menu next to Network Authentication
   3. Choose TKIP from pull down menu next to Data encryption.
8. Now click on Authentication tab at top of window. Ensure both checkboxes are UNchecked. From the pull down list next to EAP type choose Protected EAP (PEAP). (show me) Then click on Properties button.
9. Check the box next to Validate server certificate and make sure that the box next to "connect to these servers" is unchecked. (show me) Scroll down and check Thawte Premium Server CA - this needs to be done for security reasons. Make sure Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2) is selected from pull down menu under "Select Authentication Method". Next, click Configure... button.
10. Uncheck the box next to automatically use my Windows logon name and password. (show me) Next click OK.
11. This window will appear again. (show me) Click OK. Click OK on this window too. (show me)
12. Check that ACHERNAR-A is showing in the "Preferred Networks" box as shown in the window. (show me) This indicates that the ACHERNAR-A SSID has been setup and is ready for connection. **If you have chosen to connect to ACHERNAR-BG the box will indicate ACHERNAR-BG. Click OK.

At this point you should Restart your computer.

Connect to the network

When your computer restarts, if you are in an area covered by the appropriate wireless network, you will see this text bubble appearing on your Desktop. (show me)

*** If you have chosen to connect to ACHERNAR-BG the text will indicate ACHERNAR-BG

1. Click on the text bubble and the following window will appear. (show me) You need to fill in your SOLS user name and password (the same as your University of Wollongong email user name and password). Leave Logon Domain blank and then click OK.
2. To check that Setup has been successful, you should now go to the Start menu on your computer and choose Control Panel and then choose Network connections. You should now see this diagram (show me) and verify that "Authentication succeeded" is showing under Wireless Network Connection 2.

Download and setup of software is now complete! You can remove the patch installation file from your desktop.

Proxy Information

Before you begin using your Wireless Network you should make sure your Proxy settings are correct.

For Netscape Communicator

1. Go to the Edit menu and choose Preferences
2. Under the list of categories, open the Advanced folder and choose Proxies
3. Type in the Automatic proxy as http://www.uow.edu.au/autoproxy.pac
4. Click the Reload button.
5. Click OK

For Internet Explorer

1. Go to the Tools menu and choose Internet Options
2. Click on the Connections tab
3. Click on LAN Settings button (bottom right)
4. Place a tick in the Use Automatic Configuration Script
5. Type in http://www.uow.edu.au/autoproxy.pac
6. Click OK and then OK again

For Other Browsers

If your browser does not support automatic configuration, the following information is supplied:

Further Assistance

If you have any problems please contact the ITS Technical Support Team on 4221 3000 or visit the Enquiry Counter at the Student Computer Laboratories in Building 17.