Laptop Configuration

Wireless networking is available for Windows or Mac laptop computers running any of the following operating systems.  Other (older) operating systems are not supported.

Windows

Mac

Important Note for IE7 & Firefox 2 Users: If you are using Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2.0, you must create a virtual private network (VPN) connection by hand.

Please call the Help Desk for assistance. Neither browser supports SSL* v2 by default and the University's wireless gateway only supports SSL v2. This DOES NOT affect the working of the VPN or wireless; it only affects access to the web page, so you can’t download the VPN creation application or see instructions.

* SSL is Secure Sockets Layer, a cryptographic protocol for secure communications in web browsing, email, and other data transfers.

Windows XP

Step 1: Configure Network Card

  1. Go to Start /Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections.
  2. Make sure the Wireless Network Connection is enabled. (NOTE: Pay particular attention to this if your laptop has an embedded wireless network adapter.)
  3. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon and choose Properties.
  4. Click TCP/IP to highlight, and then click Properties.
  5. On the General tab, select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server addres automatically. Click Advanced.
  6. Under IP Settings, make sure DHCP Enabled is set under the IP Address list. Remove any gateway addresses from the Default Gateway list. Click the DNS tab.
  7. Make sure there are no entries under DNS Server addresses, in order of use. Leave all other settings as is. Click OK.
  8. Click Alternate Configuration. Make sure Automatic private IP address is selected. Press OK.
  9. From the Windows Control Panel, return to the Network Connections window.
  10. click Wireless Networks.
    • Check Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings.
    • You should see UNR as an available network. If you see nothing on this screen, press the Refresh button and wait a few moments while the system scans for the WIFI network.
    • If you are unable to view the UNR network under the Wireless Networks tab, right-click the Wireless Network Connection and choose Status.
  11. If signal strength is not indicated or is very poor, try moving to a different area of the wireless broadcast zone. If this does not resolve the issue, contact the HelpDesk for additional assistance.

STEP 2: Configure VPN Connection

Requirements: UNR NetID username and password. Please contact the HelpDesk if you have problems with your NetID account.

  1. Click Start/Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections.
  2. Double click New Connection Wizard and click Next.
  3. Select Connect to the network at my workplace and click Next.
  4. Select Virtual Private Network connection and click Next.
  5. Enter the name UNR Wireless as your connection name (under Company Name) and click Next.
  6. Select Do not dial the initial connection and click Next.
  7. Use the host name or IP address wifi.unr.edu and click Next.
  8. Select My use only and click Next.
  9. For ease of use, check the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop and click Finish.
  10. Double-click your UNR Wireless connection icon.
  11. Enter your NetID and password and press Connect.

Windows XP Home

STEP 1: Configure Network Card

  1. Install a wireless network card using the manufacturer's instructions and software.
  2. Make sure the wireless network adaptor is turned on, enabled, and fully functioning.
    • To do this, go to Start/Setting/Control Panel/Network Connections.
    • Pay particular attention to this if your laptop has an embedded wireless network adapter.
  3. Make sure the Wireless Network Connection is enabled.
  4. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon and choose Properties.
  5. Select TCP/IP to highlight and click Properties.
  6. On the General tab, select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS automatically. Click the Advanced button.
  7. On the IP Settings tab, make sure DHCP Enabled is listed under the IP Address list. Remove any gateway addresses from the Default Gateway list. Click the DNS tab
  8. Make sure there are no entries under DNS Server addresses, in order of use. Leave all other settings as is. Click OK.
  9. Click Alternate Configuration tab. Make sure Automatic Private IP address is selected. Press OK.
  10. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window (see Step 4), click Wireless Networks.
  11. Check Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings.
  12. You should see UNR as an available network.
    • If you see nothing in this screen, press the Refresh button and wait a few moments while the system scans for the WIFI network.
    • If you are unable to view the UNR network under the Wireless Networks tab, right-click the Wireless Network Connection and choose Status.
  13. If signal strength is not indicated or is very poor, try moving to a different area of the wireless broadcast zone. If this does not resolve the issue, contact the HelpDesk for additional assistance.

STEP 2: Configure Connection

Requirements: UNR NetID username and password. Please visit or call the Campus Computing HelpDesk in Getchell Library if you have problems with your NetID account.

  1. Go to Start/Control Panel/Network and Internet Connections and click Setup or change your Internet connection.
    • If you are in classic view mode, you may need to click Start/Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections then double-click New Connection Wizard.
  2. click Virtual Private Network connection. Click Next.
  3. Enter the name UNR Wireless as your connection name (under Company Name). Click Next.
  4. Use the host name or IP address wifi.unr.edu. Click Next.
  5. For ease of use, check the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop. Click Finish.

STEP 3: Initiate a Connection

  1. Double-click your UNR Wireless connection icon (on the desktop).
  2. Enter your NetID username and password and press Connect.

Windows 2000

STEP 1: Configure Network Card

  1. Go to Start /Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections.
  2. Make sure the Wireless Network Connection is enabled. (NOTE: Pay particular attention to this if your laptop has an embedded wireless network adapter.)
  3. Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon and choose Properties. Left- click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to highlight, then click Properties.
  4. On the General tab, select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically. Click the Advanced button.
  5. On IP Settings tab, make sure DHCP Enabled is set under the IP Address list. Remove any gateway addresses from the Default Gateway list. Click the DNS tab
  6. Make sure there are no entries under DNS Server addresses, in order of use: Leave all other settings as is. Click OK.
  7. Click Alternate Configuration tab. Make sure Automatic Private IP address is selected. Press OK.
  8. Click Wireless Networks.
  9. Check Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings.
  10. You should see UNR as an available network.
    • If you see nothing in this screen, press the Refresh button and wait a few moments while the system scans for the WIFI network.
    • If you are unable to view the UNR network under the Wireless Networks tab, right-click the Wireless Network Connection and choose Status.
  11. If signal strength is not indicated or is very poor, try moving to a different area of the wireless broadcast zone. If this does not resolve the issue, contact the HelpDesk for additional assistance.

STEP 2: Configure Connection

Requirements: NetID user name and password. If you are having difficulty using your NetID account, contact the Help Desk on IT's unified help line (775) 682-5000 (on campus, dial 25000).

  1. Click Start /Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections.
  2. Double-click Make New Connection and press Next.
  3. Select Connect to a private network through the Internet. Press Next
  4. Type wifi.unr.edu as the Host name or IP address. Press Next
  5. If you are the only person using this computer, choose For all users. Otherwise, you may want to select Only for myself. Press Next.
  6. Name this connection UNR Wireless.
  7. For ease of use, check Add a shortcut to my desktop. Press Finish to end the wizard.

STEP 3: Initiate a Connection

  1. The prompt to connect to the wireless connection automatically starts.
  2. Enter your active UNR NetID and password in the User name and Password fields.
  3. Press the Connect button.
  4. A pop-up bubble window at the bottom-right corner of your screen indicates that you have successfully connected to the network. You are now connected and ready to use the network.

Mac OS X Tiger

STEP 1: Configure Network Card

  1. Click the Blue Apple in the upper-left corner of screen. Select System Preferences.
  2. In the Internet & Network section, select Network.
  3. In the Location: drop-down bar, select New Location.
  4. Type UNR VPN and click OK.
  5. In the Show: drop-down bar, select Airport.
  6. Click the TCP/IP tab.
  7. In the Configure: drop-down bar, select Using DHCP. Leave the remaining fields blank.
  8. Click the Apply Now button.

STEP 2: Configure Connection

  1. Open Macintosh HD/Applications/Internet Connect.
  2. Click Continue to perform setup for VPN (PPTP) connections. (Note: This window does not display if PPTP was already set up.)
  3. From the Configuration drop-down menu, select AirPort .
  4. Confirm that the AirPort Power status is ON. (Click the Turn AirPort On button, if necessary.)
  5. From the Network drop-down menu, select UNR.

STEP 3: Initiating a Connection

  1. In the Internet Connect application, select File/New VPN Connection Window.
  2. A VPN Connection window opens.
  3. Enter wifi.unr.edu in the Server address box.
  4. Enter your UNRNetID in the User name box
  5. Enter your NetID password in the Password box
  6. Uncheck Add to Keychain box for security
  7. Click the Connect button and wait for the connection to be established
  8. You are now on the UNR wireless network.

Mac OS X Leopard

STEP 1: Configure Network Card

  1. Select System Preferences from the Dock at the bottom of the screen.
  2. In the Internet & Network section, select Network.
  3. Click the “+” sign in the lower-left corner.
  4. From the Interface drop-down menu, select AirPort and click Create.
  5. Click Apply.

STEP 2: Configure Connection

  1. Open System Preferences from the Dock, then select Network.
  2. Click the “+” sign in the lower-left corner.

Mac Leopard VPN settings

  1. From the Interface drop-down menu, select VPN.
  2. From the VPN Type drop-down menu, select PPTP.
  3. Enter a user-friendly Service Name (such as "UNR VPN") and click Create.
  4. On the left, highlight UNR VPN (as shown below).
  5. On the right, enter wifi.unr.edu in the Server Address box.
  6. Fill in the Account Name field with your NetID username, then click Authentication Settings to enter your password.
  7. Finally, click the Advanced… button and check the Send all traffic over VPN connection checkbox.
  8. Once all that is done, click the Connect button and the results should look something like the following.