Wireless FAQs

A 2001 CNET News report states that laptops and handheld devices are now the Internet-connection device of choice for college students.

More than 24 wireless locations with approximately 72 access points now dot the UK campus.

Please see the campus wireless areas featured on this website.

The IT Communications and Network Systems team charged with installing the campus wireless units had a simple directive: tailor wireless placement to locations where students tend to gather.

Wireless networks use radio waves rather than network cables to transmit and receive data. Transmitters are placed at selected access points throughout an area to for a matrix of access points. Each access point acts as a virtual bridge by accepting data traffic from laptops or handheld devices and transporting it to the Internet. Users must be within range of an access point (usually within 500 feet) and most wireless access points can accommodate up to 50 users.

Although the accelerating growth of wireless capabilities on campus is new, wireless technology at UK is not. It first appeared in 1995 when UK Computer Science Professor Jim Griffioen obtained a grant to create a wireless classroom in the College of Engineering. In 1998, wireless was installed in the William T. Young Library and McVey Hall. And, in 1999, wireless was made available in the Agricultural Sciences Library and Information Center. In 2000, the James F. Hardymon Building, housing the new UK Alliance for Networking Excellence, was added to the campus wireless matrix. Today, close to 50 wireless locations with approximately 200 access points dot the UK campus.

Phase II has already begun and it calls for locations at LCC's Oswald Building and Courtyard and all UK campus remote libraries and "smart" classrooms, as well as other campus access points.

No. The wireless network is not being implemented to replace the University's main hardwired network. Plugging into a network port is still going to be faster but campus wireless capabilities can enhance and animate the learning environment by providing a dynamic new collaboration tool to students, faculty and staff.

The University offers this resource as part of our long-standing commitment to provide the technology tools needed by our faculty, staff and students to do their best work. No direct fees, or subscription fees, are associated with the UK wireless network.

Distributed desktop machines do not provide anytime, anywhere access. UK believes wireless capabilities will help maximize opportunities for student collaboration and socialization. Students can gather, work, and collaborate whenever and wherever they need using technology.

For help accessing and using campus technology, contact the Information Technology Customer Service Center in 111 McVey Hall. Visit or call the CSC office between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday (859-218-HELP (4357)). You may also email a request for assistance to helpdesk@uky.edu.

Many newly purchased laptops already have a wireless card installed. If not, you will need to purchase a wireless card that is 802.11b compliant. Our wireless network uses Cisco technology, and we have had the best success with and recommend Cisco Wireless LAN cards. The UK Computer Store offers Cisco Wireless LAN cards at an educational discount to members of the University of Kentucky community.

You will not be able to access the UK wireless network unless you are on campus and in one of the covered zones. However, you can use your wireless card to access other wireless networks.

Yes. However, doing so may present a security issue. While the Cisco card, which the University strongly recommends, supports encryption, the Airport card may not.

Once your device is using a wireless networking connection, open your web browser. The browser should be automatically redirected to the UK Wireless Network login page. If the browser does not automatically display the login page, you should manually direct your web browser to the UK Wireless Network login page. When the page appears, login with either guest registration or a valid U-Connect account.

Yes. A wireless session must be registered before opening any application that uses a wireless networking connection, such as email clients, FTP utilities and web browsers.

No, your wireless devices need no additional configuration. The only change necessary is to login to the wireless network.

The registration system has been implemented to increase computer security and prevent computer resource abuse.

Two types of registration are available to wireless users: guest registration and U-Connect registration. Both registration types are allowed full access to the Internet, but do not have the same access to UK computing systems.

No. Wireless guest access will have access to the Internet, UK web servers and the U-Connect email servers. To access other UK computing resources, you should register your wireless session with your valid U-Connect account.

No. Not all UK computer systems and servers can be accessed through the UK Wireless Network, regardless of session authentication.

Yes.

No. You must register your wireless session with a U-Connect account in order to use the Outlook client application. Users may access their Exchange email with the Outlook Web Access when using a guest wireless session.

No. You must register your wireless session with a U-Connect account in order to use an email client. You can access your non-UK email if that email system offers access through a web site (such as hotmail or yahoo email).

Yes, however your selection of printers will be limited to a few public printers located in the W. T. Young Library. Wireless sessions registered with a U-Connect account will have access to all printers available to the Wireless Printing service.

Yes. Laptop users may logout of their wireless session by clicking on the logout link within the browser pop-up window. PDA users will need to terminate their wireless session by stopping the wireless services on their device for three consecutive minutes.

No, as long as your computer maintains a connection to the UK Wireless Network.

If your wireless device stops responding to the UK Wireless Network for three (3) consecutive minutes, the wireless session for that device will be terminated. Your device may stop responding to the network if the device is out-of-range of a wireless receiver, the wireless capabilities of your device are turned off or the device goes into sleep or hibernation mode. Once your session is terminated, you will need to login again to the wireless network.