Update from ITU:

To provide a better wireless user experience the following changes will be made to the Mason Wireless Networks on Monday, July 25, 2011:

• Support for wireless protocol 802.11b will end. The reason is that this band is the lowest speed band and as a result interferes with the connection speed of all other bands ("G" and "N"). As an alternative, you should be able to connect your systems to the 802.11g instead. If not, you can use a suitable USB wireless adapter. During the Spring 2011 semester, less then .05% of the users across all of Mason's networks used 802.11b.
• The Mason wireless network will be renamed Mason from gmu. This should have little effect on users of the wireless network.

For more information, go to http://wireless.gmu.edu/.

Introduction

The School of Law has expanded its wireless network to include all of Hazel Hall. The wireless network allows students, faculty, and staff members to use their laptop to check e-mail and surf the Web without connecting to a wired, Ethernet port.The Mason wireless LAN service is designed to complement the existing Ethernet wired ports. While the service is convenient, wireless is inherently a best effort system due to the current limitations of the technology. In 2007, Cisco Systems was chosen as the standard for wireless coverage. The system supports 802.11g and n. In order to use the wireless network, you need a wireless card that is either 802.11g or 802.11n compatible and a GMU email email account.

Security

Access to the wireless network is limited to authorized GMU users through a secure authentication system that requires that users log-in using their GMU email account. The wireless system does not use WEP or any other encryption, so it is possible that information transmitted over the network can be intercepted by others. This is also true of the law school's public wired network. Websites having a URL that starts with “https://” are generally safe to use, since the data stream is encrypted with SSL. However, you should check the name and expiration date of the site’s certificate to make sure it is valid (click on the padlock icon at the bottom of your browser).

If you are in an area of the building where you are not getting a good wireless connection, when you have an opportunity please send an email with the details including the exact location to lawsupport@gmu.edu.

Recommended Wireless Cards

Make sure that your card is Wi-Fi certified by going to this site: Wi-Fi Alliance Certified Product Listing. All Wi-Fi certified 802.11g & 802.11n products should work with Mason wireless service.

How to Set-Up Your Wireless Connection

See the ITU Wireless Quick Start Guide. Attention Windows Users: You can download a special client to your laptop that will enable you to stay logged in for up to 24 hours without having to keep a browser window open. See Wireless Client for Windows Laptops.

Other Information

Wireless Client for Windows Laptops
Wireless Networking at GMU
University Policy Number 1302 on Wireless Networking

Questions, Problems?

If you have any questions or need help with your wireless card, please contact Law School Computing Support at 993-4855 or lawsupport@gmu.edu. The Computing Services Support Center (Room 362 of the Law Library) is generally open M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.