At IU, how do I make a wireless connection with ORiNOCO or Windows XP?

This document covers the basic procedure necessary to configure a wireless card using the ORiNOCO client or Windows XP. For links to specific instructions for your operating system, see the "Also see:" section below.

Note: If you are a student, faculty member, or staff member at Indiana University Bloomington or IUPUI, use the IU Secure network for wireless access. For help, see What is IU Secure? If you are visiting IU, instead see At IUB and IUPUI, what is a Network Access account, and how do I get one?

Windows XP with no client software

Windows XP comes with client software for wireless network adapters. You may use third-party client software (for example, the ORiNOCO Client Manager), but it is unnecessary.

Note: The following directions assume that the wireless card is already installed and working properly.

1. From the Windows XP default Start menu, select Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.

   From the Windows XP Classic Start menu, select Settings, and then click or double-click Network Connections.

2. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon and select Properties.
   
   
3. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
   
   
4. At the top of the window that opens, make sure the box labeled Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is checked. Then, under "Preferred networks", click the Add... button.
   
   
5. In the "Network Name (SSID):" field, type the word any . Make sure "Data encryption" is set to WEP, and "Network Authentication" is set to Open. Uncheck the box at the bottom of the window labeled This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used, and click OK.
   
   
6. At the bottom of the window, click the Advanced button.
   
   
7. Under "Networks to Access", select either Access point (infrastructure) networks only (this is the most secure setting), or Any available network (Access point preferred).
   
   
8. Click Close, and then OK.

Windows computers with ORiNOCO client software installed

1. From the Windows XP default Start menu, select Start, and then Control Panel.

   If you are using Windows XP Classic view or another version of Windows, from the desktop, double-click My Computer, and then double-click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Wireless Network.
   
   
3. In the Add/Edit Configuration Profile window, click the Edit Profile button. From the window that opens, make sure the following options are set:

   Note: The following options are the basic common configurations for almost all wireless cards; the available options may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of the card.

   • The "Network Type" or "Mode" field should be set to Infrastructure.
   • The "WEP" or "Encryption" field should be set to Disabled.
   • The "SSID" field should be set to any. Type any into the field if it is not listed.
   • The "Data Rate" or "Transmit Rate" field should be set to Auto or to Fully Auto.
   
   
4. Make sure to click OK to save any changes you've made.

Also see:

• In Windows 2000, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network using PPTP?
• The basics of VPN at IU
• In Windows XP, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network?