Instructions for accessing
the wireless network at Virginia Highlands Community College
General Information.
- You will need a laptop with an
802.11b or 802.11g wireless network interface card.
Windows XP works best with the wireless network
and is also simpler to configure although Windows 98, ME and 2000 will
work. Since these operating system do not have built in support for
wireless, the implementation will be dependent upon the software provided by
the wireless network interface card vendor.
A personal firewall and current antivirus are
also strongly suggested. It is also suggested that Windows Update be
enabled so that all operating system patches will automatically be installed.
First Time
Use
·
Start up your laptop within range of any VHCC wireless access
point.
·
You should see a pop up box informing you that a wireless network
has been detected.
·
Click anywhere on the yellow message box..
·
You will then see the screen below. Click the connect button.
·
A message warning that the connection is not secure will appear.
·
Click “Connect Anyway”.
·
Within a few seconds the status should change to connected.
·
Close these windows and open your web browser.
·
You may receive a notice about both secure and non-secure items.
·
Click Yes.
·
Click the “Register here!” link and fill out the form
to create your wireless account.
·
Do not use your SIS password when creating this wireless account as
this password will be transmitted, unencrypted.
·
Make sure the email address you enter is valid.
·
Once the account has been created, return to the initial login page
and logon.
·
The URL and description fields are optional.
·
After a couple of hours, check the inbox of the email account that you provided
during the registration process.
·
You will receive an email containing a validation link.
·
Click to validate your wireless registration process.
Also note that when you logon to the wireless
service, a second web browser window, titled “VHCC Wireless Net Login
agent” will open. You may minimize, but do not close
this window as it is required to maintain the wireless session
If this window does not appear, make sure that
any pop-up blocker you might have is configured to allow pop-ups from the www.vhcc.edu and ssl.publicip.net
web sites.
Second and
future use
·
When you start you computer within range of any VHCC wireless access
point, you should see a pop-up box informing you that a wireless network has
been detected.
·
Click the wireless message and then click “Connect”.
·
Open you web browser and you should see the Wireless network logon
screen.
·
Enter your userid/email address and
password that you created the first time you used the VHCC wireless internet
access service.
·
Minimize but do not close the second window that opens
titled, “VHCC Wireless Net Login Agent”.
Once you have logged in, you may begin using the
internet as normal.
If you are using an operating system other than
Windows XP, contact Glen Johnson, 739-2467 or Adam Rhea, 739-2446 and we will
work with you to configure your wireless settings.