Wireless Networking

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UMF's wireless network, part of UMF's EXCEL project, started in the Fall of 2001. Today, we operate a wireless network consisting of more than 100 wireless access points that blanket the entire campus. The wireless network is open to anyone who is a student, staff, or faculty member at UMF.

Just as you need to plug in a cable to make a wired connection, you must connect to the wireless network before you can access the internet.

Instructions are provided below for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X. Older operating systems (Windows 98, Mac OS9, etc.) are no longer supported.

Windows Vista

If you see an empty signal meter in your task bar (to the left of your clock), you'll know your wireless card is working but not connected to anything.  It might also look like a pair of computer monitors with a red X through them. 

During the first few minutes the card is active, it will scan for wireless networks. If you are range of a network, it will pop up a box telling you that networks are in range.  However, if you didn't notice the box, just click on the icon and it will tell you "Wireless networks are available."   

Click "Connect to a network".  A window will appear, showing that TEMPEST, the UMF wireless network, is available. Click on "tempest". Because we do not require a password to connect to the network, you must confirm that you want to connect to our network. On the next screen make sure to check "Save this network" so that anytime you're within range of our network, you'll automatically connect.

If you have questions or concerns about the security of our network, please feel free to contact us with those issues. Be aware that a wireless connection to our network is inherently less secure than a wired connection.  Now you're connected, the icon in your task bar will change and if you hover over it, you'll see you're successfully connected.  

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Once you have connected to the network, simply open a web browser and you'll automatically be redirected to the registration page, where you'll register your computer on our network and receive full internet access

Windows XP

If you see an empty signal meter in your task bar (to the left of your clock), you'll know your wireless card is working but not connected to anything.

During the first few minutes the card is active, it will scan for available wireless networks. If you are within range of the wireless network, you should see a bubble pop up letting you know it is available. Note that the wireless network's range only covers the UMF campus itself.



Upon clicking on this bubble, a window will appear letting you know that TEMPEST, the UMF wireless network, is available. Because we do not require a password to connect to the network, you must tell Windows that you are willingly connecting to the network. If you have questions or concerns about the security of our network, please feel free to contact us with those issues. Be aware that a wireless connection to our network is inherently less secure than a wired connection.

Click the check box labeled "Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network even though it is not secure," then click the Connect button.



A bubble should now appear telling you the name of the wireless network you have joined (TEMPEST) and the signal quality of that connection.



Once you have connected to the network, simply open a web browser and you'll automatically be redirected to the registration page, where you'll register your computer on our network and receive full internet access.

Mac OS X

If you see a dim signal meter on your menu bar to the left of your clock, you'll know your wireless card is working but not connected to anything.

Click on the signal meter icon and look for TEMPEST in the list of available wireless networks. If you do not see TEMPEST, you may not be in range of the network. You must be on campus to receive the network's signal.



After you select TEMPEST, you should see the signal meter light up to indicate the signal quality of the connection.



Once you have connected to the network, simply open a web browser and you'll automatically be redirected to the registration page, where you'll register your computer on our network and receive full internet access.