CHES Smart CollegeUsing UA's Wireless Network @ CHES

In order to use UA's wireless network in CHES, you must have a computer with a wireless network adapter and the ability to access a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This capability is built in to Windows NT, 2000, and XP and Macintosh OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) and higher.

You must also have a valid BamaMail (bama.ua.edu) account to use the VPN and wireless network.

Registering your BamaMail account

A valid BamaMail account is required to use the wireless network and VPN.

Before you can use the VPN, you must first register your BamaMail account for VPN access. (The registration tool will open in a new window. Once you are done, close this window to return to this page.) This only has to be done once!

Creating your VPN connection

If you have any questions, or need assistance with an OS not listed here, please call the HelpDesk at 348-2435.

Windows XP

Step one: From your Start menu, open the Control Panel and double-click the Network Connections icon. On the left side of the window is a column called Network Tasks. Click on Create a new connection (marked by a red arrow in Figure 1). If there is nothing displayed under the Network Tasks header, click the down-arrow button located to the right of the header to expand the list.

Figure 1 - Network Connections window
Figure 1 - Network Connections

Step two: When the Network Connection Wizard opens, click the Next button. The following window will ask you to select the type of connection you wish to establish. Check the radio button labeled Connect to the network at my workplace (as shown in Figure 2), and click Next.

Figure 2 - Connection type
Figure 2 - Connection type

Step three: The wizard will now ask you if you wish to establish a dial-up or Virtual Private Network connection. Check the radio button labeled Virtual Private Network connection, as shown below in figure 3, and click Next.

Figure 3 - VPN Connection
Figure 3 - VPN Connection

Step four: You will be asked to provide a name for this connection. Although it should be descriptive, you may give the connection any name you wish. A good example of a descriptive name for this connection would be "UA VPN." Enter the descriptive name you wish to use and click Next.

Step five: Enter 130.160.44.2 as the host name of your VPN server, as shown below, then click Next.

Figure 4 - VPN Server Selection
Figure 4 - VPN Server Selection

Setup Completion: You have now completed the New Connection wizard. When the completion screen appears, there will be a check box that will allow the wizard to create a VPN connection shortcut icon on your desktop. If you plan on using the wireless network often, you should do this. Otherwise, you can find your VPN connection listed under Network Connections.

Figure 5 - Setup completion
Figure 5 - Setup completion

Using your VPN Connection

You must activate your VPN connection each time you connect to the UA wireless network. This does not happen automatically.

Find and double-click the VPN icon. If you checked the desktop icon option when completing the wizard, your VPN shortcut will be located on your desktop; otherwise it will be listed under Network Connections. You will be presented with a login screen, as shown in Figure 6. Use your BamaMail username and password to login.

Figure 6 - Connect to VPN
Figure 6 - Connect to VPN

Once your VPN connection is established, you will have full use of the Internet on the wireless network. Simply open your Web browser, e-mail program, or other Internet application(s).

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Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther)

Step one: In Finder, open your Applications folder and double-click on Internet Connect. Click the VPN icon in the menu bar.

Figure 7 - Internet Connect
Figure 7 - Internet Connect

Step two: Select PPTP as your VPN connection type.

Figure 8 - VPN connection type
Figure 8 - VPN connection type

Step three: Enter 130.160.44.2 as the server name (as shown in Figure 9) along with your BamaMail username and password. If you will be using your VPN connection often, you may wish to display your VPN status in the menu bar. If so, make sure the checkbox for this option is marked before connecting.

Figure 9 - Configuration
Figure 9 - Configuration

When closing Internet Connect, you should receive a dialog box (as shown in Figure 10) asking you to save your configuration. Enter a name that describes this connection, such as "UA VPN."

Figure 10 - Save with descriptive name
Figure 10 - Save with descriptive name

Using your VPN Connection

You must activate your VPN connection each time you use the UA wireless network. This does not happen automatically.

If you chose to display the VPN status in your menu bar, you should see this icon in near your clock: . You may use it to connect and disconnect your VPN account. If you did not choose to display this status, you will need to go through Internet Connect every time you want to use the wireless network.

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Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)

Step one: In Finder, open your Applications folder and double-click on Internet Connect.

Step two: You may receive a window telling you that you have no active modem, AirPort or PPoE network configuration. If this window pops up, click the Use VPN button. If this window does not pop up, you will most likely be presented with a modem dial-up box. Go to the File menu and select New VPN Connection Window.

Step three: When the VPN Connection window comes up, enter 130.160.44.2 as the server address, then use your BamaMail username and password to login. If you would like to save your username and password on this computer, leave the "Add to Keychain" checkbox checked. Otherwise, clear this checkbox. Click the Connect button.

Figure 11 - VPN Login
Figure 11 - VPN Login

Once your VPN connection is established, you will have full use of the Internet on the wireless network. You must repeat this procedure each time you use the wireless network. It does not happen automatically.

Your Wireless Connection

You should always follow the instructions that came with either your computer or your wireless network adapter to set up your connection. The following is a brief summary of how to configure your computer to use your wireless adapter to connect to the network.

Windows XP

Most software provided for wireless adapters places a connection icon in the task tray (bottom right of your screen, next to the clock). Clicking or right-clicking this icon allows you to monitor your wireless signal strength as well as open the wireless connection window.

You may also find the wireless connection window by going to “My Network Places” (from the Start menu) and selecting “View network connections.” There should be an icon for your wireless connection; double-click on it.

The wireless connection window (which may have a slightly different name, depending on the manufacturer of your wireless network adapter) will allow you to view all publicly-broadcast wireless networks available. If more than one is listed, select the network named according to your physical location (i.e. Ua Public Wireless Network). You will not need to enter a WEP key.

Macintosh OS X

Start your wireless network setup by going to the System Preferences and choosing “Network.” There should be a drop-down menu labeled “Show.” If your wireless (or Airport) card is listed, select it.  If it is not listed, select “Network Port Configurations,” turn on your card, and then select it from the drop-down menu. If there is no wireless or Airport card listed under Network Port Configurations, it has not been installed correctly.

On the TCP/IP tab, make sure that “Using DHCP” is selected for “Configure.” You can leave the rest blank. Go to the “Airport” tab. Select “Join network with best signal” and “Show Airport status in menu bar.” Make sure that “Allow this computer to create networks” is not checked. Click “Apply Now” and close System Preferences.

You will then have an Airport status indicator next to your clock in the menu bar. You may use it to turn Airport connectivity on and off.
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