Will my iPhone work on the wireless network?

Yes, iPhones will work on the wireless network. To access the internet via your iPhone you should select the "umd" wireless network and then launch the Web browser. Your connection will be redirected to a login page where you'll need to enter your Directory ID and password.

Configuration information for connecting to the "umd-secure" network is currently being developed and tested.

Does my dorm room have wireless coverage?

Yes! All university residence halls and Fraternity Row houses, as well as the South Campus Commons and University Courtyards communities have full wireless coverage.

How do I set up a wireless router/access point?

As stated in the “Student Guidelines for Network Computer Use” that each student agrees to during the Residence Hall network registration process,

You MAY NOT install a wireless access point. Only access points installed
by the Office of Information Technology are permitted in residential buildings.

Can I give my parents or my visiting friend guest access to the wireless network while they're on campus?

As stated in the “Student Guidelines for Network Computer Use” that each student agrees to during the residence hall network registration process,

You MAY NOT provide network access to anyone who is
not a member of the university community. You are
responsible for everything that your computer does
whether or not you are aware of the activity.

Can the signals from the wireless network hurt me?

The FCC with its action in ET Docket 96-8 has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC certified equipment. The University of Maryland uses Cisco wireless LAN products, which meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1, 1991.

For more information, visit the Web site of the Wireless LAN Association.

What is the difference between umd and umd-secure?

OIT broadcasts two SSIDs to provide wireless access to the university community. The “umd-secure” network encrypts all traffic sent and received from a wireless device using WPA2/WPA technology. As it offers the best data security available, this is the preferred wireless network for all university faculty, staff, and students. Since the umd-secure network supports 802.1x, Web browser-based authentication is not required. For users of many PDAs, this option can eliminate the problems associated with running a Web browser solely to reach the Web authentication page required to use the "umd" network.

The “umd” network is intended to provide wireless access to university guests as well as faculty, staff, and students who have not (or cannot) set up WPA2/WPA on their wireless device. Authentication for this network is handled by a Web browser redirect to a login page.

See the Get Connected page for help configuring your device to access either of these networks.

Can someone snoop on my communications over the wireless network?

OIT highly recommends that the university community take advantage of the “umd-secure” wireless network, which encrypts all traffic using WPA2/WPA technology. Look here for help configuring your laptop to use WPA2/WPA and secure your wireless traffic.

Data sent over the “umd” wireless network is NOT encrypted. As such, network traffic is visible to any other person with a computer, wireless network interface, and Ethernet snooping software, which is readily available. For this reason, when using the “umd” wireless network it is strongly recommended that you consider the following:

• Before reading or submitting confidential data from a Web site, be sure the Web site is using https (look for the closed padlock in your browser window) and not simply http.
• Use SSH, not Telnet, when logging into UNIX shell accounts.

How do I get wireless network service installed in my building?

For information on having the wireless network expanded into your building please contact wireless@nts.umd.edu. An NTS staff member will contact you to arrange for a site survey and estimate.

Can I use a wireless device that doesn’t support a Web browser or 802.1x authentication on the wireless network?

To request an exception to the authentication requirement, contact wireless@nts.umd.edu. Please provide details such as the type of device you plan to use, what access it will need (for example, only in my building, campus only, off campus, etc.), how long you expect this need to last and any other pertinent details about your unique situation. Any exception granted will require approval from the Director of Networking & Telecommunication Services and will be reviewed on an annual basis.