Nicholls Voicemail Users Guide

The Nicholls Wireless Network, NSUnwired, is available to all Nicholls students, faculty, and staff. Our wireless network provides all the conveniences of a regular wired connection without the need for cables. As a shared resource, wireless networking is intended primarily to supplement the campus wired infrastructure, not to replace it.

This site is designed to help wireless users get connected and find up-to-date information on the wireless network. Wireless networking at Nicholls is growing and it is continually evolving.

If you are having difficulty connecting to the wireless network review the instructions on these pages first, and if you need further help, please call extension 4419.

To connect to the wireless network you will need to have the following items and settings:

• 802.11b/g/n/ac compliant wireless card
• Network type: Infrastructure
• SSID: NSUnwired
• Encryption: off
• TCP/IP settings: DHCP

Please note:
NSUnwired is for student, faculty, staff, and guest access.

802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant wireless card

You will need an 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant card. When purchasing a wireless card, make sure the card is compliant or certified. Some wireless cards are 802.11a only, 802.11b only, 802.11g only, 802.11n only, or 802.11ac only, and some cards are a combination of the standards. If at all possible, choose a card that supports a combination of the three latest standards of 80.11b/g/n/ac. A wireless card that supports all standards will work in all wireless locations on campus. In addition, make sure that you install the latest drivers for compatibility
and to resolve any issues. Visit the manufacturer’s web site for information about obtaining the latest drivers.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a nonprofit international association that certifies wireless products based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Visit their web site at www.wi-fi.org to find out if your wireless adapter has been certified.

Network Type: Infrastructure

802.11 defines two types of network: infrastructure and ad hoc. An infrastructure type indicates that your wireless client will connect to the wired network via an access point. Ad Hoc, on the other hand, indicates a type of network where only wireless clients get to communicate among each other. You must use infrastructure in order to connect to the Nicholls wireless network.

SSID: NSUnwired

SSID stands for Service Set IDentifier, sometimes referred to as Network Name. This is simply a name used to identify a wireless network. An SSID can either be broadcast or hidden. When the SSID is hidden, the user must know what the SSID of the wireless network is in order to gain access. When the SSID is broadcast, the wireless network is available to anybody. The access points on the Nicholls wireless network are configured to broadcast their SSID. While on campus, if your wireless device says that it has found a “New Wireless Network NSUnwired, Would You Like to Connect?”, go ahead and connect. Some wireless adapters will allow you to leave the SSID field blank or enter the word “ANY”. This instructs the wireless clients to obtain whatever SSID is being broadcast by the access point. You can also set the SSID explicitly. If your wireless device fails to auto-detect “NSUnwired” and connect to the Nicholls wireless network, you can enter NSUnwired into the SSID field.

Encryption: off

The 802.11 standard makes use of optional security mechanisms called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). Make sure encryption is turned off.

TCP/IP settings: DHCP

There are two ways of assigning an IP address to a network adapter: static or DHCP. Static assignment requires the use of a unique IP address that will only work on a particular subnet and must be entered manually. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) on the other hand, refers to the automatic assignment of an IP address. No user intervention is required. The only thing the user is responsible for is to set the TCP/IP settings on the network adapter to DHCP.

Check the list below to see which specific indoor and outdoor areas have wireless coverage.

Wireless Coverage By Building

Outdoor Coverage

Nicholls State University provides wireless internet connectivity for Academic and Residential computing. While not flawless, this service is reaching maturity and is seeing few failures due to service provisions.

Most often, wireless connectivity issues are not due to failed wireless services, but rather the user’s computers. This write-up will discuss several aspects of problematic wireless connectivity; after all, knowledge is power. This article is written for the end-user with MS-Windows based computers in mind; however, other operating system utilities may also be listed.

Low signal strength is often a reason for failed connectivity. Signal strength is often measured in “bars” for simplicity. Five (5) bars is an excellent signal strength and one (1) bar is a poor signal strength. You should be aware that you can still connect with 1 and 2 bars, however you may suffer from slow speeds and possible disconnects. 2 bars although low, will generally not have significant problems. Some computers allow boosting of the internal antenna’s power level. Doing so may allow for more bars. For instructions on this, please see this link.

When regarding wireless connectivity, terms like “Line-of-Sight”, “Barrier Interference”, and “Electrical Noise” have significant meaning.  Line-of-Sight references a straight line between your computing device and the Access Point.  It is always best to minimize the number of barriers between you and the Access Point.  Barriers include walls and large objects especially metal objects, that may block or deflect wireless signal.  Also, the electrical interference of other electronics such as blue tooth devices, phones, refrigerators, microwaves, and other computing devices can easily interfere with wireless connectivity quality.

Not all hardware providers use the best quality components. It is a simple fact that some built-in wireless adapters are inadequate. Purchasing and using a USB wireless adapter may in fact give you a much better connection than the built-in wireless adapter. Often changing from completely unable to connect situation to a 4 bar connection.

There are also tools available that can assist you with finding better signals. These are often called Wireless (or WiFi) Stumblers and Scanners. If you are an advanced user or are open to experiment, please Google this advanced topic. Stumblers written for Apple OSX often allow you to connect to specific signals found by the utility. OSX based stumblers include KisMac, AP Grapher, iStumbler, and Air Radar. Windows based stumblers tend to only display information, albeit very detailed information. Windows based stumblers include InSSIDer, Meraki, and NetStumbler. For Linux there is WiFi Radar and IWScanner.

One last wireless specific issue worth mentioning is regarding Ad-Hoc networks, which is basically other computers advertising wireless signals which are not internet Access Points. A big issue found recently is called Viral SSID’s. This is a host of computers pretending to be Access Points in lure of unsuspecting users to connect to them. Once connected, the user’s computer becomes one of the culprits, thus the term “Viral”, providing persistent advertisements of fake internet services. Users should follow these instructions to delete or disable Ad-Hoc connections. Do not connect to “HP Setup” nor “Free Public WiFi”.

Another big issue with computers is due to malicious software. Malware, as it is called, can be the culprit of a wide range of computer problems including slowness, crashes, information theft and even network connectivity problems. Often, especially with windows based computers, failing connectivity is due to Malware and excessive background processes.

In regards to Malware, there are quite a few cleaning utilities available. One of the most-recommended and free for personal use, is a utility called Malware Byte’s Anti-Malware. The free utility will not keep your computer protected in real-time, but it is among the best on-demand cleaners available. It will scan for and clean a vast number of malicious software.

It is also recommended that your Anti-Virus be fully functional and updated for real-time protection. No single anti-virus is 100% effective; however, they do provide a high level of protection. There are several free Antivirus and software suites available. Among the most popular providers are Avast, AVG, PCTools, BitDefender, Comodo, and Panda. When installing one of these products, it is prerequisite to uninstall the existing antivirus.

If your computer is known to be infected, SmitFraudFix may resolve some persistently odd infection issues.

Peer to Peer (P2P) applications, for example, Torrent Clients, etc. are known to diminish both the user’s internet connection and neighbors’ internet connections.  Using these software applications for downloading and sharing files will significantly slow your connection and also slow the connections of others connected to the same access point.  Please refrain from using P2P applications.

I. PURPOSE

The effective management of information technology resources is crucially important to the success of the mission of Nicholls State University. Because of the inherent insecure nature of wireless communication, wireless networks require increased cooperation and coordination between campus entities to maximize the technology’s benefits to the students, faculty, and staff of the University, to allow connection to wireless networks in different campus buildings, and eventually, to facilitate the ability to roam from building to building without losing network connectivity. This document sets forth the policies for using wireless technologies and assigns responsibilities for the deployment of wireless services and the administration of the wireless radio frequency spectrum in a distributed campus network environment. This policy expands the University Computer Use Policy and the Student Computer Use Policy by including specific direction regarding wireless communications and the resolution of issues that may arise. This policy is subject to change as new technologies and processes emerge.

 II. REFERENCES

Student User Agreement Form
Student Wireless Access Form
Student Computer Use Policy
Electronic Email Policy
Lab and Network Usage Policy
University Computer Use Policy

 III. DEFINITIONS

Wireless Network means local area network technology that uses radio frequency spectrum to connect computing devices to college, department, or division wired networks and may connect to the Campus Network Backbone and the Internet.

Access Point means electronic hardware that serves as a common connection point for devices in a wireless network. An access point acts as a network hub that is used to connect segments of a LAN, using transmit and receive antennas instead of ports for access by multiple users of the wireless network. Access points are shared bandwidth devices and can be connected to the wired network, allowing access to the campus network backbone.

Wireless Infrastructure means wireless access points, antennas, cabling, power, and network hardware associated with the deployment of a wireless communications network.

Coverage means the geographical area where a baseline level of wireless connection service quality is attainable.

Interference means the degradation of a wireless communication signal caused by electromagnetic radiation from another source. Interference can slow down or eliminate a wireless transmission depending on the strength of the interfering signal.

Privacy means the condition that provides for the confidentiality of personal, student, faculty and staff communications, and institutional data transmitted over a wireless network.

Client hardware/software means the electronic equipment and software that is installed in a desktop, laptop, handheld, portable, or other computing device to provide a LAN interface to a wireless network.

 IV. SCOPE

This policy applies to all wireless network devices utilizing Nicholls State University IP space (including private IP space within University networks) and all users of such devices, and governs all wireless connections to the campus network backbone, frequency allocation, network assignment, registration in the Domain Name System, and services provided over wireless connections to the campus network backbone to colleges, departments, or divisions of Nicholls State University.

 V. AUTHORITY

This policy is under the authority and oversight of The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing under the direction of the Executive Vice President.  Technical review of this document is under the direction and authority of The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing under the direction of the Executive Vice President.

 VI. POLICY

Wireless equipment and users must follow all network connection policies as set forth in the University Computer Use Policy and the Student Computer Use policy. All provisions of the ISO Minimal Security Requirements and Practices apply to this policy.

Interference or disruption of other authorized communications that result from the intentional or incidental misuse or misapplication of wireless network radio frequency spectrum is prohibited.

Wireless access points must abide by all federal, state, and local laws, rules or regulations pertaining to wireless networks.

Deployment and management of wireless access points is the responsibility of The Division of Information Technology as under the direction of Executive Vice President.

University colleges, departments, or divisions must register for the use of radio frequency spectrum with The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing , prior to implementation of wireless networks.

The location of all wireless access points must be registered with the The Division of Information Technology.

Wireless access points shall require user authentication at the access point before granting access to campus or Internet services. Wireless network interfaces and end-user devices shall support authentication to access wireless networks that allow connectivity to the Campus Network Backbone.

Physical security should be considered when planning the location of wireless access point and other wireless network components.

Wireless networks must be designed and deployed to avoid physical and logical interference between components of different network segments and other equipment. In the event that a wireless device interferes with other equipment, The Division of Information Technology shall resolve the interference as determined by use priority.

The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing will attempt to resolve any interference or security incidents by coordinating with the registered Point of Contact (POC) for the wireless network. If a POC is not available, the incident is resolved through administration of the network connection to the backbone.

The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing is authorized to take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to ensure compliance with this, and other network related policies that are designed to protect the integrity and security of the campus network backbone.

Disconnect Authorization – Any wireless network on campus, which poses a security threat, may be disconnected from the campus backbone network. If a serious security breach is in process, The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing may disconnect the LAN immediately. Every reasonable attempt will be made to reach the registered “Point of Contact” to resolve security problems. The Division of Information Technology has the authority to disconnect any wireless network from the campus network backbone whose traffic violates practices set forth in this policy, or any network related policy. It is the responsibility of the college, department, or division to be knowledgeable regarding the provision such policies.

Grievance matters with this policy or conflicts between The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing and any University college, department, or student are directed to the Executive Vice President for resolution.

There are no guarantees that all brands of wireless networking equipment will work on the Nicholls State University network. Currently the only accepted standard is 802.11a, b, and g. These standards are subject to change as new technologies and standards evolve. Please check with The Division of Information Technology including the Department of Academic Computing as to the current recommendations.

Coverage is limited on campus and there are no guarantees to the amount of coverage on the campus.