GOVERNMENT S WIRELESS NETWORK

Transcription

1 Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Office of the Chief Information Officer GOVERNMENT S WIRELESS NETWORK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS November 2012

2 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction Accessing the Wireless Network What is a wireless network? What types of devices are permitted to connect to the wireless network? Must I do anything before I request access to the wireless network? How do I request access to government s wireless network? How do I request support for my wireless connection? What can I access using the wireless network? Where can I access the wireless network in government? Will guests be able to connect to government s wireless network? Do I have to manually connect to the wireless network? Why didn t I connect to the network that I selected? Equipment and Software Can I use my government laptop on the wireless network? Can I use a government-issued Blackberry on the wireless network? What wireless cards are supported on the wireless network? Can I use both a wired and wireless connection at the same time? Do I need to use a SecurID Token to login? What if I don t know my wireless access key for my home wireless network? How do I access my home router to view or change its settings? How can I tell if I am already setup for wireless access?... 4

3 1.0 Introduction This document provides government users with information on the process of setting up and configuring their government laptop for to access government s wireless network 2.0 Accessing the Wireless Network 2.1 What is a wireless network? A wireless local-area network (WLAN) uses radio waves to connect devices such as laptops to the Internet and/or to a network. It is the opposite of a wired network, which connects devices to the Internet and/or to a network using cables. 2.2 What types of devices are permitted to connect to the wireless network? Employees may only access the wireless network with government-issued laptops and ipads; employees are not permitted access to the wireless network with personal devices. Access to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Guest Wireless Network may be provided to visitors with laptops only. 2.3 Must I do anything before I request access to the wireless network? If you previously used your government laptop for connecting to your home wireless network (or any other non-government wireless network to which you frequently connected), your original security settings may be overwritten by the new wireless software the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (Cisco Client) during the installation. To ensure you are able to recover the settings that are required to connect to your home wireless network after you connect to government s wireless network, you will need to record these settings before you install the wireless software AND before contacting the OCIO IT Service Desk. The settings for your home wireless network that you need to record will normally include: The network key or security pass phrase Encryption type (one of WEP, WPA2-PSK, etc) The list of network names, i.e. the Service Set Identifier (SSID) to which you normally connect If you require support for your home wireless router, you are advised to contact your Internet Service Provider such as Bell Aliant or Rogers. Your Internet Service Provider may ask for the information required above. Page 1

4 2.4 How do I request access to government s wireless network? To access to the wireless network, you will need a username, password, security certificate, and wireless software installed onto your laptop. After recording the settings for your home wireless network (or any other nongovernment wireless network to which you frequently connect), contact the OCIO IT Service Desk at (709) or by at servicedesk@gov.nl.ca and request access to the government wireless network. You will need to provide the Service Desk with your username and your asset number, so that you can be registered. Your password will NOT be required. The Service Desk will never ask you for your password. 2.5 How do I request support for my wireless connection? If you are experiencing problems with your wireless connection in the Confederation Building (either the East or West Block) or at the OCIO at 40 Higgins Line, contact the OCIO IT Service Desk at (709) or servicedesk@gov.nl.ca. The OCIO does not provide support for home-based networks. However, if you are impacted by the changes regarding wireless connectivity, you are encouraged to contact to the OCIO IT Service Desk. 2.6 What can I access using the wireless network? You will have the same access to printers, , and network drives as when you use the wired network. Some specific applications may have added security and may not be available on the wireless network. 2.7 Where can I access the wireless network in government? The service will initially be available to those using government laptops and IPAD s. Wireless coverage in the East Block includes full floor coverage for the 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 9th floors, including the House of Assembly. In the West Block, coverage is available on all floors in meeting rooms, ministerial suites, and some departmental open areas. The wireless network may be available in other areas, but simply as a result of broadcasting from these targeted areas. 2.8 Will guests be able to connect to government s wireless network? Guest connections for laptops are available to visitors of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. For account setup, please contact Departmental Guest Administrators. Visitors can inquire at the departmental reception desk for information regarding Departmental Guest Administrators. Page 2

5 2.9 Do I have to manually connect to the wireless network? The Cisco Client will only attempt to connect to the government wireless network when you are within its wireless coverage area; it will automatically attempt to connect when your laptop is undocked or when a wireless connection is selected using the Cisco Client software Why didn t I connect to the network that I selected? The Cisco Client will always try to connect to the network that you have selected; however if this fails, it will move to the next network in the list, until it successfully connects to one. If you want to connect to one specific network, Select the network to which you want to connect. Click on the thumb-tack icon until it appears vertically. Once the thumb-tack turns horizontal, your laptop will be connected exclusively to that network. 3.0 Equipment and Software 3.1 Can I use my government laptop on the wireless network? Yes. 3.2 Can I use a government-issued Blackberry on the wireless network? No. However, wireless capability will be available in the coming months. 3.3 What wireless cards are supported on the wireless network? Any standard wireless card should work on government s wireless network. 3.4 Can I use both a wired and wireless connection at the same time? No. When you are connected to a wired network, the wireless connectivity is disabled by default. 3.5 Do I need to use a SecurID Token to login? No. Page 3

6 3.6 What if I don t know my wireless access key for my home wireless network? Depending on the security configuration for your home wireless router, a wireless network access key may be required to configure the Cisco Client for home use. If you require a wireless network access key to use your home wireless network, but don t know what it is, you need to either: a) contact technical support at your Internet Service Provider (for example, Bell or Rogers), if they provided you with a wireless router, or b) consult your wireless router User Manual if you have a personal wireless router (for example, Linksys or D-Link); the manual should guide you through the process of determining what the network access key is (or resetting it, if needed) 3.7 How do I access my home router to view or change its settings? This is highly dependent on the manufacturer, but it is typically done using a web browser and an IP address. If you are unable to access your router wirelessly, you may be able to connect to it directly using a network cable. For assistance, please consult the manufacturer s documentation or your Internet Service Provider for assistance. 3.8 How can I tell if I am already setup for wireless access? There should be no harm in repeating the wireless enrollment process but if you need to verify whether you are already setup for wireless access, check whether the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client installed. Look for Programs > Cisco > Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Page 4

7 If you have any additional questions, please contact the OCIO IT Service Desk. Page 5