Mark's Help Wireless Access to Bath Spa University 'Easynet'

Three wireless networks: 'Easynet', 'Securenet' and 'Visitornet'

Three horses You'll find three wireless networks at Bath Spa University. 'Easynet' is for students and replaces 'Guestnet'. You'll also see a secure wireless network, and a third network for visitors. Here's more info on each.

Easynet: Easynet's for students and staff. It's an 'Open' or 'Not secured' network. 'Easynet' does the same job that 'Guestnet' used to do, but does it better. Once you're connected, you'll need to log in using a web browser - you'll need your university username and password. Once logged in you can use 'Easynet' for web browsing and updating your computer software in the same way that you may previously have used 'Guestnet'.
Securenet: 'Securenet' provides staff with an encrypted and secure login (using WPA and WPA2 security that you may be using on your home wireless network). The device you use to access 'Securenet' will need to be able to support the WPA/WPA2 security protocols. Log in to 'Securenet' using your university username and password. You'll now also need to accept a security certificate - see the foot of this page for more.
Visitornet: Also 'Open' and 'Not secured'. This third network is for use by short term visitors to the University (i.e. 24 hours or less). Before they can use 'Visitornet' your visitor will need an account - accounts being created by staff with delegated powers to do so, using a web interface to the wireless network software. Creation of these accounts needn't involve computing services. Using 'Visitornet' is similar to using 'Easynet'. Visitors need to connect to 'Visitornet' and then use a web browser to log on using the username and password provided by the co-ordinator.

Frequently asked questions

Has the University had to cable up two new sets of wireless access points and lots of kit then?

No, all three make more use of our existing access points, which now broadcast all three networks. Two wireless network controllers sit in the middle of the system and organise all this. When one controller fails for any reason, the access points automatically look to the other for the information they need.

Are there other advantages to the new network arrangements?

The new setup's faster and your connection's better.
Moving around from one access point to another should work a lot better than it did previously.
It's easier to manage, and from a central point too.

Can access points actually broadcast several networks?

The wireless networks exist at the 'Data level' rather than in the wireless signal itself - in the data that's being broadcast rather than in 'Three separate wireless signals' - this data is fed to the access points by a central controller and the access points then broadcast the wireless network data. Your wireless device sees the several wireless networks that exist in the data. So, yes they can.

What you need for wireless

Using your own portable pc with a wireless network card (most have them built in) you're able to access these networks. For 'Securenet' your device must be able to handle WPA/WPA2

Your existing staff or student network account (certain staff can set up visitor accounts for ... visitors.)
A pc with web browser software and a wireless network card, or other device with similar.
To be aware of the security implications of wireless networks

Staff and Students: Getting going with 'Easynet'

Power up your laptop pc within range of a Bath Spa University wireless access point.
'Easynet' is an 'Open' network. Use your wireless network card utility to connect. If your machine's wireless card is switched on, it will hopefully connect automatically, if not and you're using Windows XP, try 'Start/Connect to'.
Start your browser and it should use the wireless connection. 'Easynet' needs to establish that you have a Bath Spa University account, so when you visit a web site you'll first see a 'Easynet' login screen.
Log in to the Bath Spa University 'Easynet' using your user name and password. You'll then find your browser redirected to the page you requested originally - and you're also able to use any web resource e.g. Webmail
Once you've 'Proved' the system from a location with a good signal, remember that wireless networks travel through walls to a certain extent - if you need a wireless connection elsewhere, try connecting to the 'Easynet' to test the signal strength.
'Easynet' gives you a web connection to the 'Easynet' domain - you won't be able to print to Bath Spa University printers, you won't see your network drive (your 's' drive). If you need to connect to the 'Academic' domain, use a VPN connection - and you'll need Windows or later, or Apple OS 10.3+ for this.
Remember that 'Easynet', as a Bath Spa University IT system, is subject to our regulations for use of IT
As 'Easynet' is an 'Open' network, your data flies through the air unencrypted - in the same way that it passes across the internet. Secure web sites set up a secure connection with your web browser though - and data passed between the browser and the server is encrypted.
Register your wireless device with the Comms Team and they'll arrange for Easynet to recognise it - you can then avoid the login page. You'll need to be sensible about security on your device though. Set unlock settings to be ruthless.

Visitors: Connecting to 'Visitornet'

The University will issue you with a username and password for Vistornet. When you connect, you'll find that Visitornet is an open network. Open a web browser and you'll see Visitornet's 'Login' screen- use the username and password with which you have been issued.

Visitornet: set up accounts for visitors

Staff who have been given the rights may create 'Visitornet' accounts using an online tool. Here's more guidance on using this tool.

Staff: Connecting to 'Securenet'

This is similar to connecting to 'Easynet' but with an extra stage or two. 'Securenet' is 'WPA2' encrypted and you'll need your University username and password - and a certificate. Use these instructions on connecting to Securenet on Bath Spa's Wiki.

Your connection not working? Need Help?

Bath Spa University IT helpdesk cannot support equipment owned by you - we don't have the resources. Here's a help page to get you going with solving the problem though

University wireless networks expect you and your equipment to be a 'Good netizen', and not make unreasonable demands on the network. Wireless networks are a bit like a conversation in a room - if everyone raises their voice and talks quickly, no one can understand and communication breaks down. If software on your computer starts firing off unreasonable numbers of requests to the University network you'll find that defences are in place - your machine will be quarantined and your wireless network connection will drop and won't reconnect. It's a really bad idea to log on to the wireless network with an unhealthy machine or one running file sharing software ...

Security is important with wireless networking too

When you set up wireless networking it's a very good idea to understand the security implications.

The Bath Spa University 'Easynet' does not encrypt wireless traffic, 'Other precautions' are in place for data going to Bath Spa University's systems, but remember that certain traffic between the network and your own laptop may be easily 'Eavesdropped' upon.

In a home installation, you'll need to make your own provision. If it's your own domestic system, 'Switch on' security settings to protect it, use good passwords.

Unsecured wireless networks are trivial to break into, 'WEP' secured ones are vulnerable - and the signal may travel many hundreds of metres more than you think it might.

At best you'd find you'd set yourself up as an internet service provider for uninvited distant neighbours.
At worst, password protected transactions could be compromised or you will lay yourself and others open to the risk of virus infections and other people downloading illegal material over your network connection.
Again, it's trivial for unscrupulous people to provide their own wireless network access 'Masquerading' as another and collect passwords that don't belong to them. When you log into a wireless network, consider that it may not be the one you think it is.

As with all things network, the onus is on you to be alert, and be a 'Good netizen' out of consideration to the community of people who work with you. Your part in this is to ensure you maintain a healthy system yourself. YOu can use 'Easynet's fast connection to improve the security of your own machine.

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