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Northwest Missouri State University


Wireless

Using Ethernet and Wireless on the Northwest Network


Northwest has both Ethernet and wireless networks for students, faculty and staff usage.

Switching between Northwest's wireless and Ethernet networks is simple and usually automatic when using a university-provided notebook computer, which has both Ethernet and wireless components already installed for your convenience. To work successfully on the campus wireless network, you must have a Windows XP or newer Windows operating system (OS).

To access the University's wireless network, do the following:

  1. Check that the wireless card is active, and that the Ethernet cable is not connected.

  2. Start (or re-start) your computer in an area where wireless networking is available.

  3. Click on the Control Panel.

  4. Click on Network Connections.

  5. Right -click on Wireless Network Connection.
    • A drop-down menu will appear.

  6. Left -click on Enable.

  7. You should be automatically connected to the wireless network.
    • If asked what wireless connection you wish to use, select the appropriately named wireless connection. For example, if you are in Owens Library, you would want to use either NWMSU_Guest or NWMSU_Secure.

      Other wireless networks may be available, but are not valid for the Northwest campus. Wireless access points are not allowed to be connected to the campus network other than those maintained and configured by the Information Systems Department.

  8. When done using the wireless connection, disable the connection by right -clicking on the Wireless Network Connection within Network Connections in the Control Panel.

  9. Left -click on Disable. You can shut down your computer or switch to an Ethernet connection

Switch to Ethernet after Using Wireless on the Northwest Network

To switch to Ethernet after using wireless, follow these easy steps:

  1. Disable the wireless connection as directed in the instructions in the previous section of this document.
  2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the computer and the Ethernet port.
    • Once again, check to make sure the wireless connection is disabled in the Control Panel.
    • The computer should automatically start using an Ethernet connection.

Using the Northwest Wireless Network with XP (Non-University Provided Computer)

Northwest provides two wireless networks for campus users: the Guest and the Secure.

The Guest wireless network allows a user to connect to the internet with a personally-owned computer, but does not allow for printing to a networked printer or accessing network storage, is especially useful to campus visitors who want to use their computer to get onto the Internet, but who do not have a Northwest username and password.

Note: The Guest wireless network is available in such public areas as Owens Library, the Student Uniion and the Station.

In contrast to the Guest wireless, the Secure wireless network will allow you to print to a networked printer and access your network storage folder if you have a valid Northwest username and password.

If you do have a Northwest username and password and want to connect to the Secure wireless network with your personally-owned computer, you must have a Windows XP (OS), and your wireless card must be controlled by Windows and not a third party.

For Instructions on connecting to the Secure wireless network with a personally-owned (non-univesity provided) computer if you are a student, faculty or staff member with a valid Northwest username and password, click here.

Note: Windows VISTA and Windows 7 will not be successful in connecting to the Northwest's Secure wireless network with these instructions.  See the Windows VISTA and Windows 7 configuration documentation on this web page.

 

Using the Northwest Wireless Network with VISTA

If you have a Northwest username and password and want to connect to the Secure wireless network with your personally-owned computer that has a Windows VISTA operating system (OS), make sure your wireless card is being controlled by Windows and not a third party.

For Instructions on connecting to Northwest's Secure Wireless network with VISTA if you are a student, faculty or staff member with a valid Northwest username and password, click on the Windows VISTA Wireless Configuration document.

Note:  If, after configuring your computer using the Windows VISTA Wireless Configuration document, you cannot log on to the Northwest Secure Wireless Network with your username and password, try restarting your computer.  Once you have restarted, try logging back into the Northwest Secure Wireless Network.  If, after restarting, you still cannot log in to the Secure Wireless Network, go back through the instructions carefully to make sure you did not miss a step in the configuration process. 

 Using the Northwest Wireless Network with Windows 7

If you have a Northwest username and password and want to connect to the Secure wireless network with your personally-owned computer that has a Windows 7 operating system (OS), make sure your wireless card is being controlled by Windows and not a third party.

For Instructions on connecting to Northwest's Secure Wireless network with Windows 7 if you are a student, faculty or staff member with a valid Northwest username and password, click on the Windows 7 Wireless Configuration document. 

Note:  If, after configuring your computer using the Windows 7 Wireless Configuration document, you cannot log on to the Northwest Secure Wireless Network with your username and password, try restarting your computer.  Once you have restarted, try logging back into the Northwest Secure Wireless Network.  If, after restarting, you still cannot log in to the Secure Wireless Network, go back through the instructions carefully to make sure you did not miss a step in the configuration process.