About the ADFAWide Service

ADFAWide - Mobile computing at UNSW@ADFA

ADFAWide is UNSW@ADFA's Campus Wireless Ad-Hoc Network, offering fast, secure wireless connectivity to the UNSW@ADFA Wide Network and the Internet, from a multitude of indoor and outdoor locations across the UNSW@ADFA campus. ADFAWide access is available to all current UNSW@ADFA Students and Staff on application.

ADFAWide can be accessed via a laptop computer fitted with an 802.11g compliant wireless networking card. ADFAWide access is supported on current Windows and Mac operating systems.

How does ADFAWide Work?

The ADFAWide network is essentially the same as the UNSW@ADFA wired network except that wireless technology is used rather than physical cables to connect your computer to the UNSW@ADFA University Wide Network and Internet.

The ADFAWide Network consists of a series of access points or base stations, located around the campus.

These base stations use radio frequencies to transmit and receive information from your wireless card connected to your computer. The base stations are connected by cable to the central UNSW@ADFA servers, thus connecting your laptop to the University Wide Network.

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Accessing ADFAWide

Access to the ADFAwide Network is available to all current students and staff at UNSW@ADFA. To use ADFAWide, users need to complete an ADFAWide Access Application form and return the completed form to the ICTS Service Desk counter.

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ADFAWide Access Charges

Access to resources on UNSW@ADFA network is free

You will not be charged to use ADFAWide to access UNSW@ADFA resources that reside on the local UNSW@ADFA Wide Network. This includes all primary UNSW@ADFA web sites, myUNSW, eLearning/WebCT, UNSW@ADFA Library online resources and local computers and servers.

Access to external resources is charged

ADFAWide is currently in the Test phase and as such the charging system has not been activated for external access. External access is available currently BUT it is monitored for usage. Persons excessively utilising the Internet will be warned once via email. On the second excessive use the offending logon id will be disabled from ADFAWide.

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ADFAWide Coverage

ADFAWide Coverage is currently available at UNSW@ADFA campus, in many outdoor and indoor locations. As the ADFAWide service grows, more base stations will be added, increasing coverage to more and more locations.

Currently, ADFAWide Coverage is available in and around Academy House (building 33), the Research Precinct (building 21), UniAdmin (1st and 2nd floors building 1), the International Student Precinct (building 36), Library (Ground and top floors building 13), ETS (building 13), ICTS (building 14), ITEE (buildings 15 and 16), ACME (buildings 17 and 20), PEMS (buildings 22 and 26), SOB (building 27), the outdoor area outside of the ADFA Cafe (building 33), Officers' Mess (Ground floor building 6), HASS (building 29), Lecture Theatres North (building 32) and Lecture Theatres South (building 30).

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ADFAWide Supported Operating Systems

Introduction

As Wireless Networking technology is a relatively new development in computing, not all Operating Systems will necessarily support wireless technology. Some older PCs and operating systems do not support wireless computing, so it is important to check that your computer can support the 802.11g wireless standard before purchasing a wireless card. Most PC laptop computers made in the last 5 years will have a PCMCIA slot suitable for wireless cards.

Hardware Specifications

As a general guide, you will need the following hardware specifications to access ADFAWide -

• A PC laptop computer fitted with a PCMCIA slot
• An external or internal 802.11g compatible wireless card
• If using an Apple laptop, it must support "Airport Extreme"

These hardware specifications are a general rule. UNSW@ADFA ICT Services, makes no warranty that a particular model or type of hardware will necessarily work with the ADFAWide Network.

Operating System Specifications

ADFAWide has special security requirements. Only newer operating systems are capable of providing the required security levels. See below to find out if your Operating System is compatible with the ADFAWide Network.

Supported Windows versions

• Windows XP with SP2S.

Supported MacOS versions

• Mac OS X 10.1 and above.

Support for older Windows versions and Mac OS 8-9.x

• UNSW@ADFA ICT Services makes no warranty that any particular make or version of OS will necessarily work with the ADFAWide Network.

Support for Linux and PDAs

• Access to the ADFAWide Network using PCs running Linux or using PDA devices is currently not available or supported by UNSW@ADFA ICT Services.

Wireless Card Specifications

Most newer Wireless Cards that meet the 802.11g standard should be able to access the ADFAWide Network. Laptop computers with built-in Wireless Cards, must be 802.11g compatible to access the ADFAWide Network. Apple laptops must support "Airport Extreme" to be able to gain access to the ADFAWide Network.

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Access using Linux or Palmtop Devices

Access to the ADFAWide Network using PCs running Linux or using PDA devices is currently not available or supported by UNSW@ADFA.

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Technical Support

Configuring Laptops

UNSW@ADFA ICT Services does not and will not configure client's personal laptops. If you have issues please read the installation guides and failing that please contact the manufacturer of your laptop or wireless card.

UNSW@ADFA ICT Services makes no warranty that a particular model or type of hardware will necessarily work with the ADFAWide Network.

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Tip Sheets

Connecting to the UNSW@ADFA Wireless Network using Microsoft Windows XP (pdf: 411kb, Word: 1344kb)

Connecting to the UNSW@ADFA Wireless Network using Microsoft Windows Vista (pdf: 379kb, Word: 1309kb)

Connecting to the UNSW@ADFA Wireless Network using Mac OS X (pdf: 400kb, Word: 1677kb)

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ADFAWide Frequently Asked Questions (pdf 20kb)

ADFAWide Access Application form (pdf 25kb)

 

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