1.) What is Mustang Wireless?

Mustang Wireless is a program that provides students, faculty and staff WiFi wireless
access to the campus network. This is done by using Radio Frequency (RF)
technology to transmit data through the air without wired cabling. Mustang Wireless
provides all the same features and benefits of the existing campus network, but
without the limitations of being tethered to a cable.

20 laptops are available for checkout by students, faculty and staff in the Kennedy
Library. Each laptop has software similar to other computer labs on campus. In
addition, each laptop has a wireless network card that will allow access to the
campus network and the internet.[top]

2.) Where does Mustang Wireless work?

Mustang Wireless is available on all floors of Kennedy Library, University Union, and
in various buildings across the campus. See the Coverage Maps for details on where
you can get coverage. [top]

3.) Can I use my personal laptop for Mustang Wireless?

Yes. Students, staff, and faculty have access to the Mustang Wireless network with
personal laptops. No technical support will be available for personal computers at
this time. It will be up to the user to correctly configure their computer for use with
Mustang Wireless. See question 5 below for equipment required. [top]

4.) What equipment is required for using my personal laptop?

Laptops must have a wireless network card which uses IEEE 802.11b/g standard
technology with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS or DS). To ensure
compatibility with the Cal Poly Mustang Wireless system, look for the Wi-Fi* symbol
(Wireless Fidelity) on newly purchased equipment. WECA (Wireless Ethernet
Compatibility Alliance) is the organization behind Wi-Fi that certifies products
meeting the IEEE 802.11b/g through compatibility testing.

In addition, the user must be in a building that has Mustang Wireless coverage.

For more Information visit Get Connected [top]

5.) How do I get connected with my personal laptop?

Mustang Wireless is on a log-in system called Cisco Clean Access. For more
information go to Get Connected. [top]
 6.) How do I check out a laptop for use?

Students, faculty and staff can check out laptops at the Kennedy Library PolyConnect
Computer Lab. In the future, laptops may be available in the UU. Users will be
required to leave a photo ID at the place of checkout while using the laptop. [top]

7.) Where do I go if I have a question?

General questions about Mustang Wireless may be answered at the ITS Service Desk
at 756-7000.

If a user is having problems with software or Cal Poly accounts, they should call the
ITS Service Desk at 756-7000. [top]

8.) Is Mustang Wireless secure? Can someone see my email/data?

The Cisco Clean Access log-in is an encrypted session, however, after that initial log-
in, Mustang Wireless is not secure because an intruder does not need physical access
to your computer or the wired network in order to gain access to your data
communications. Accordingly, you must be aware that there are serious risks or
limitations if a secure connection is required for what you are doing on the wireless
network. When using the system, your data is being sent over radio waves and can
be picked up by anyone. However, IEEE 802.11b/g wireless communications cannot
be received - much less decoded - by simple scanners, short wave receivers etc. This
does not mean that eavesdropping cannot occur. Eavesdropping is possible using
specialized equipment. [top]

9.) What is Cisco Clean Access?

Wireless authentication is done with a username/password challenge accomplished

using Cisco Clean Access (the same product used in the Residence Halls). With this
implementation, users will no longer have to register their computers MAC address.
Additional functionality to verify users are running anti-virus, anti-spyware and the
latest operating system patches will roll out in a phased approach, with dates still to
be determined and hence the "Clean Access" part of the project for more information
on Cisco Clean Access Click Here. [top]

10.) What is the Cisco Clean Access Agent?

The Agent is a small program that will run in the Windows and Mac system tray (by
the clock), and will be used to login to the network for Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS
X operating systems only. In order to use the wireless network with a Windows or
Mac machine, this Agent must be running. After the initial download and install of the
Cisco Clean Access Agent, you will use only that Agent to get network access (again,
for Windows and Mac machines only).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Macintosh users are now required to run the Cisco Clean
Access Agent, and no longer use a web browser to log in. Please see the "Get
Connected" section of this site for more information.

The Agent is not spyware, it doesn't record what you are doing online, or what is on
your hard drive. It is simply used to connect valid users to the network. [top]

11.) Can I turn off the CCA Agent?

If you are a Windows 2000/XP or Mac user you must be running the CCA Agent to
use Mustang Wireless at Cal Poly.

If you will not be using Mustang Wireless on Windows you can right click the Agent
and click "Exit" to turn if off.

On a Mac single click the tray icon and select quit.

[top]

12.) What if the Agent doesn't load correctly on my Windows Machine?

If the Agent doesn't load when you start up your Windows machine, you must
manually start it by double-clicking the icon on your desktop, or via the "Start" -->
"Programs" menu. To access Mustang Wireless on a Windows 2000/XP machine, the
Agent MUST be running. [top]

13.) Where can I download the Cisco Clean Access Agent?

The Agent is required only for Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X. Linux machines or
other devices do not need the agent to access Mustang Wireless.

For Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X you will be required to download the Agent
when first accessing Mustang Wireless. However, if you would like to download the
agent in advance Click Here [top]

14.) What wireless network do I connect to?

The wireless network name or "SSID" is MustangWireless. [top]

15.) Is there a login for Guests visiting Cal Poly?

Yes. Please visit the "Get Connected" link. [top]

16.) Is the CCA Windows Vista compatible?

Yes, the CCA agent is Windows Vista compatible. Please remember, however, that
ITS is unable to provide support for your laptop. It is up to you to install the agent
and maintain your computer. [top]

17.) How do I configure my computer for Mustang wireless?

1) You must have wireless enabled on your computer.

2) Your network connection must be set to automatically
obtain an IP (DHCP).

To change settings (for Windows only):

Start---> Settings---> Network Connections---> Right click on Wireless Network
Connection--> Properties--> Highlight Internet Protocol(TCP/IP)---> Choose
Properties---> Choose Obtain an IP address automatically.

Check IP to ensure your configuration is correct:

1) Start -->Run--->Cmd--->ipconfig /all
2) If IP begins with 129.65.xx.xx, 207.62.xx.xx, or 198.188.xx.xx then it is Cal Poly
(and probably obtained automatically), if not see above.
For more tips on configuring your wireless connection, see Troubleshooting.

[top]

18.) Outside wireless: Where can I find it?

To find outdoor wireless hot spots, check the outdoor coverage map here.

[top]
 19.) Does Cisco Clean Access support 64 bit Windows Operating Systems?

Cisco officially supports 64 bit Windows Operating Systems.

[top]

20.) How do I connect to Mustang Wireless if I'm running Boot camp?

Boot camp allows you to run the Windows operating system on your Mac hardware.
If you are using boot camp you will connect to Mustang Wireless in the same way a
Windows machine would. See Get Connected for Windows.

[top]

21.) How do I connect to Mustang Wireless if I'm running Parallels?

Parallels allows you to run the Windows operating system as a virtual machine or
application on your Mac. Your Windows operating system running in Parallels will use
your already existing Cisco Clean Access session to connect to the internet.

[top]

22.) Do I need Admin access on my machine to download and install Cisco

Clean Access agent and patches?

Windows
On Windows you most likely have administrative privileges. If you do not there is a
small piece of software that can be installed to allow non-administrators to
download, update, and install the Cisco Clean Access Agent and patches. Click here
to download.

Mac
On a Mac it is required that you have administrative privileges to download, update
and install the Cisco Clean Access Agent and patches.

[top]

23.) Does CCA support the new Macintosh Leopard OS (10.5)?

Yes. The Agent for Leopard was implemented at the end of Winter quarter. If you
previously had a temporary passthrough for your Leopard machine, it will
be removed early in Spring quarter, 2008, and you will use the Agent to log
in.
 Mobile Computing Tips: Bluetooth vs.
Wi-Fi FAQ
Mobile Computing FAQ, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Mobile computing is a big name for a bunch of small gadgets, portable devices, and
wireless technologies that enable you to polish your PowerPoint presentation about
volcanoes while flying over Mount St. Helens, or to e-mail your attorney an update to
your will from the back seat of a careening taxicab.

Like any area of technology, mobile computing has its ever-changing standards,
buzzwords, and acronyms designed to utterly confound you. Not to worry; the new
Mobile Computing FAQ is at your service. Periodically, this newsletter will answer your
questions about notebook computers, PDAs, wireless services, and other technologies
that help you stay productive out of the office. Submit your questions to me at
james_martin@pcworld.com.

In this inaugural installment of the Mobile Computing FAQ, you'll learn that Bluetooth
isn't something you get from eating too much licorice and Wi-Fi has nothing to do with
your stereo system (at least not yet).

Q: What's the Difference Between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi?

A: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both wireless networking standards that provide connectivity
via radio waves. The main difference: Bluetooth's primary use is to replace cables, while
Wi-Fi is largely used to provide wireless, high-speed access to the Internet or a local area
network.

Bluetooth

First developed in 1994, Bluetooth is a low-power, short-range (30 feet) networking

specification with moderately fast transmission speeds of 800 kilobits per second.
Bluetooth provides a wireless, point-to-point, "personal area network" for PDAs,
notebooks, printers, mobile phones, audio components, and other devices. The wireless
technology can be used anywhere you have two or more devices that are Bluetooth
enabled. For example, you could send files from a notebook to a printer without having to
physically connect the two devices with a cable.

A few notebooks, such as the IBM ThinkPad T30, now include built-in Bluetooth
connectivity. And $129 will buy you a Bluetooth card for expansion-slot Palm PDAs,
allowing you to connect to printers, notebooks, mobile phones, and other devices without
cables.
Despite the promises of Bluetooth, however, hardware makers have been slow to
incorporate it into their products. Some experts believe it could be eight years before
Bluetooth is commonly used. They attribute the technology's lagging adoption rate to
poor usability and confusion about what Bluetooth is and does. For more on that topic,
read "Why We're Still Waiting for Bluetooth."

Wi-Fi

Short for Wireless Fidelity, Wi-Fi is a user-friendly name for devices that have been
certified by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance to conform to the industry-
standard wireless networking specification IEEE 802.11b. Wi-Fi began appearing in
products in late 1998. The standard currently provides access to Ethernet networks such
as a corporate LAN or the Internet at super-fast speeds of up to 11 megabits per second.

Wi-Fi connections can be made up to about 300 feet away from a "hot spot" (slang for a
Wi-Fi networking node). When your notebook or PDA has a Wi-Fi networking card or
built-in chip, you can surf the Internet at broadband speeds wirelessly. Wi-Fi networking
nodes are proliferating globally; many Starbucks locations, for instance, offer access to
Wi-Fi hot spots for a fee. (See the Notebooks section in this newsletter for information on
finding Wi-Fi hot spots.)

Many notebooks today have IEEE 802.11b built-in; those that don't can be adapted via
Wi-Fi connectivity PC Cards. Wi-Fi is also the basis for some home networking
products, allowing you to share high-speed Internet connections without cabling. Late
last year, products featuring a newer wireless networking specification, IEEE 802.11a
(called Wi-Fi5 by WECA), debuted. This standard provides transmission speeds of up to
54 mbps. Wireless networking is expected to grow in popularity as a practical, flexible
way to replace some LANs. With wireless networking, for instance, workers can carry
their notebooks from cubicle to conference room and stay connected to the corporate
network.

For information about setting up a wireless home network, see "How to Set Up Your
Home Network."

For more about the first IEEE 802.11a-based products, see "Wireless LANs Gain Speed
at Comdex." In addition, Socket Communications, a network connections provider, has
posted a helpful white paper that compares Bluetooth with Wi-Fi.

Notebooks
News: Desktop CPUs Invade Notebooks

Gateway recently launched its 400 series of notebooks, which features 2-GHz Intel
Pentium 4 desktop processors. Gateway is just the latest computer maker to use desktop
processors in its notebooks. For instance, Dell Computer recently updated its SmartStep
portables with desktop Pentium 4 chips. The Gateway 400 models range from $1499 to
$1799, depending on configuration.

Tip: Looking for a Hot Spot?

Wi-Fi networking nodes, or hot spots, are proliferating around the globe. But how do you
find them? One useful resource is 80211hotspots.com, which lets you browse among
1400 Wi-Fi nodes in the United States and Canada. You can search by city, state, or
country but not, unfortunately, by Zip code.

Tip: Try Airline Food Before You Fly

On long flights, you get a choice: Keep working on your notebook, or put it away and
yield the seatback tray to an airline meal. But given the quality (and I use the term
loosely) of in-flight food, is the trade-off worth it for airborne workaholics?

Before you fly, get a peek at what's cookin' at AirlineMeals.net. Billing itself as "the
world's first site dedicated to nothing but airline food," this endlessly entertaining site is
full of pictures taken by passengers of the meals they've been expected to consume. The
images are grouped by airline and rated, in the spirit of Zagat's. You might be surprised:
Many of the meals look almost appetizing.

Handhelds
Tip: Palm Cuts PDA Prices

Palm recently reduced prices on nearly all of its handhelds. The M500's move from $299
to $199 was the biggest tumble, followed by the M105's fall from $149 to $99. The I705
now costs $399, down from $449. A rebate further reduces the I705's sticker to $299,
provided you sign up for Palm.net's Executive Unlimited Annual Plan ($35 monthly) and
keep the service for at least 90 days. The rebate expires October 31. Keep in mind,
though, that Palm is widely expected to unveil new models in September. Check out the
current prices at Palm's Web site, and shop for the best price at the PCWorld.com Product
Finder.

News: Utility Squeezes Out More Palm Memory

Even with 16MB, power users can run low on memory on a Palm OS device. You can
increase the memory with expansion cards on some Palm OS handhelds, but now you've
got an alternative. FlyZip XR is a new utility that allows you to compress and
decompress applications and their corresponding data files. With it you can double your
storage capacity, according to PDAStreet.com, where the $20 shareware utility is
available for downloading and free trial.

Review: HandSpring Treo 270

Handspring's Palm OS-based Treo 270 is a well-designed PDA/phone/Internet access
device with a bright passive-matrix color screen (which can be unreadable in bright
sunlight). The device is bulky and wide, but its flip-up cover rests comfortably against
your face. The 270 sells for $499, plus service plan costs. Unlike most PDAs today, it's
not expandable.

Wireless
News: You Still Can't Keep Your Cell Phone Number

When it comes to mobile phone numbers, you still can't take it with you. The FCC
recently extended by one year the deadline for wireless networks to allow customers to
keep their phone numbers when they switch providers. First set in 1996, the deadline has
been pushed back for the third time and is now November 24, 2003.