How To Connect

To connect the WiFi network, you can do it in the following ways:

1) Captive Portal (non-secure connection, user friendly)

2) IEEE 802.1X (secure connection, recommended)

(for wireless LAN security, please refer to the section Wireless LAN Security)

Introduction

What is Wireless LAN

A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a communication system implemented to link two or more devices or computers without using wires. Using radio waves, WLAN transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the need for wired connections. Thus, WLAN gives users the mobility to move around within a broad coverage area and still be connected to the network.

A typical WLAN architecture required a transmitter/receiver (transceiver) device, called an access point (AP), connects to the wired network from a fixed location using standard Ethernet cable. The AP can relay data between the wireless devices (such as computers or PDA) and wired devices on the network. At a minimum, the access point receives, buffers, and transmits data between the WLAN and the wired network infrastructure. A single access point can support a small group of users and can function within a range of less than one hundred to several hundred feet. Within the range of the APs, the wireless end user has a full network connection with the benefit of mobility.

End users access the WLAN through wireless adapters, which are implemented as PC cards in notebook computers, or use PCI adapters in desktop computers, or fully integrated devices within mobile devices. WLAN adapters provide an interface between the client network software and the airwaves (via an antenna). Users need very little new information to take advantage of wireless LANs. User applications work the same as they do on wired LANs and the mobile stations moves from one AP to another AP within a network automatically according to the signal strength.
 

Wireless LAN Standard

IEEE 802.11 refers to a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between wireless client and access point. The table below summaries the standards details:

Background and history of Wireless LAN for Lingnan University

Since September 2003, Lingnan University has launched its 1st Generation of Wireless LAN (WLAN) to support our staff and students' need for enhancement in teaching, researching & learning. Staff and students are required to register the MAC address of their computer device before using the Wireless LAN. Because of the resource constraint, the access points for the WLAN are limited to main campus areas only which implies the mobility for the WLAN usage are also limited. As the WLAN expands, Information Technology Services Centre (ITSC) installed and extended the WLAN coverage to the Hostel building in Oct 2006.

However, the 1st Generation WLAN registration is never easy for the staff and students to get use of the wireless network as it is a time consuming process. To shorten the user authentication and further improve the convenience of the WLAN usage, ITSC introduced the 2nd Generation of WLAN which uses captive portal method for the user authentication and WLAN establishment in March 2007. The use of the captive portal provided a user friendly system and eliminated the need of the MAC registration and users are required no extra settings on their client computers.

As technology grows, bandwidth and security has greatly leveraged and continued to emerge. The mission of ITSC strives to provide state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT) support and beneficiaries for Lingnan University and therefore foresee the needs of the campus wide wireless communication development. As a result, the department has submitted a proposal to extend and re-construct its wireless infrastructure through UGC's Alterations, Additions, Repairs and Improvements (AA&I) grant application. Details of the development are as follow.

To promote the studies and research works at university as well as to interface with the Government WiFi program to provide free wireless Internet access services to all citizens by installing WiFi facilities at designated government premises, Lingnan University proposed an AA&I project -¡§Installation of WiFi Infrastructure for Lingnan University?which aims to provide full coverage of WiFi network on the campus in year 2007-08. By setting up the campus wide WiFi network, it is anticipated that the students and faculties can easily extend their studies and social activities in anywhere and at anytime.

The campus wide WiFi provides a cost effective solution to enhance the network coverage yet unreachable by wired networks. For example, it is difficult to get wired infrastructure out to remote areas of the university such as the Student Activities  Centre (SAC) or Wing On Plaza, where a lot of sporting events held from time to time. The setup of wireless network in those locations will improve the communication channels in a cost effective way.

It cannot be denied that the mobility is the important reason for the university to initiate the campus wide WiFi project. Before the project implementation, students are crowded in the Library and computer laboratories whenever they want Internet access. The high speed communication WiFi network revamps their school life and provides a pleasant learning workspace for them. It allows teaching, learning, and research activities, as well as distance learning and remote discussion being conducted at canteen, late study room, the Library, green spaces and common areas at all time. It also provides a straightforward network registration and authentication with enough capacity to ensure secure, fast and extensive coverage.

The goal posts with providing coverage are always moving as new applications and devices launch with WiFi. Phase one is to offer full building and campus coverage (for details, please refer to the WiFi Coverage) including the indoor Sports Complex, lecture theatres, the Auditorium, canteen and the outdoor soccer pitch (SAC). It is targeted to cover 80% of the campus area by 4th Aug 2008 for the network access and supported different mobile devices such as laptops (for details, please refer to WiFi supported Operating Systems and Devices). For phase two WiFi development, it is targeted to cover most of the campus and upgrade the system to support mobile IP phone technology by the end of August 2008.

WiFi supported Operating Systems and Devices

Operating Systems:  Microsoft Windows XP; Microsoft Windows Vista; Apple Mac OS X

Devices:  WiFi-enabled laptop

WiFi Coverage

Wireless services are available on Lingnan University main campus, student hostels as well as at the Student Activities Centre (SAC). Generally the wireless network is provisioned for coverage within buildings, however you may find outdoor areas with limited coverage due to the physical barriers (such as walls and floors) between the wireless transmitter and your laptop or portable device.
Wireless coverage on campus is constantly being expanded and the coverage will grow continuously throughout 2008 as many more access points are added to the network. Please watch Campus News for updates.

Wireless coverage (as at 4 August 2008, most of the campus will be covered at the end of August.):

For student who wants to access wireless service in hostel, please refer to the hostel wireless network setup guide.


Wireless LAN Security

No matter wired or wireless, all LANs are subject to security risks and issues. To have better data protection, we suggest user to make connection to 802.1X enabled wireless networks.

Captive Portal doesn't have any encrypted data transmission. All the data transmitted between your device and the Access Point are plaintext which can be read directly. Thus, user should use Captive Portal only for transmitting non-sensitive information or general web browsing.

We recommend all users to connect their mobile devices to the IEEE 802.1X enabled wireless network. IEEE 802.1X is an IEEE standard for port-based Network Access Control. It is part of the IEEE 802 (802.1) group of protocols. It provides authentication to devices attached to a LAN port, establishing a point-to-point connection or preventing access from that port if authentication fails.

It is a good practice for wireless network users to employ the use of secure connection with that the data encryption can be achieved via IEEE 802.1X WPA standard. All the data is encrypted by the standard IEEE 802.1X during transportation. Use of 802.1X can protect users from the risk of exposure of plaintext usernames/passwords and other information during the data transmission on the wireless network.

FAQ

Please refer to the FAQ page.