To connect to the University of Canberra Wireless Network (UCanCONNECT) you will need a computer or handheld device with a Wi-Fi certified IEEE 802.11g or 802.11b wireless network connection - this would cover virtually every wireless network card and built-in network connection manufactured in the last three years (and many older devices).

Assuming you are connecting with a computer running Windows XP, the following instructions will show you how to connect:

1. First, you need to be in an area covered by the UC Wireless Network - these areas include:
   • The Library (Levels B and C, partial coverage on Level D)
   • The Refectory
   • The Hub
   • The Staff Club
   • The Council Room (Building 1)
   • Building 11
   • Building 7 Annex
   • The Moot Court in Building 6
     
2. The standard configuration of many wireless network cards mean that they will automatically detect the wireless connection as soon as they are in range:
   
   
   
   
   If your computer doesn't automatically connect, you may need to right-click the above icon in the system tray, and choose View Available Wireless Networks from the pop-up menu. Choose UCWIFI and if necessary click the Connect button (in the example image below UCWIFI has automatically been connected because it was the only wireless network in range).
   
   
   
   
   
3. You are now connected to the UC Wireless Network, but for security reasons you are very limited in what you can do. To get full access to the UC Campus Network (and through it to the rest of the Internet), you need to set up a secure connection to the Campus Network. This is done via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. To set up a VPN connection, start Internet Explorer and choose Internet Options from the Tools menu.
4. Click on the Connections tab, and in the Dial-up and Virtual Private Network settings section click on the Add... button.
   
   
   
    
   
5. In the New Connection Wizard dialogue box which appears, select Connect to a private network through the Internet and then click the Next > button.
   
   
   
   
   
6. You will now need to specify the name of the VPN server you wish to connect to. Staff should enter staff.ucwifi, and students should enter student.ucwifi.
   
   
   
    
7. You will now need to enter a name for the connection. We suggest you call it UCanCONNECT. Then, click the Finish button.
   
   
   
   
   
8. A UCanCONNECT Settings dialogue box should now appear (assuming you've called the connection UCanCONNECT). In the Proxy server section you need to click the Use a proxy server for this connection checkbox (make sure it now has a tick in it). You then need to enter proxyhost.canberra.edu.au was the proxy server address, and 80 as the proxy server port. Finally, click the Bypass proxy server for local addresses checkbox, then click OK.
    
   
   
   
9. You should now be back at the Internet Options dialogue box. You should now click the Dial whenever a network connection is not present radio button, then click OK.
   
   
   

Your computer is now configured to connect to the UC Wireless network. Now, whenever you are in an area covered by the UC Wireless Network and try to access the Internet you will be automatically connected to the UC Wireless Network. You will be prompted for a username and password - if you are a student you simply need to enter your standard network access username and password in the misleadingly-named Dial-up Connection dialogue box, and then click Connect. If you are a staff member you need to include your Windows domain (usually UCSTAFF) in your username, followed by a backslash (\) and then your standard network access username (for example, UCSTAFF\s123456).

Click here for more information on the UC Wireless Network.