• QUICK LINKS
  • answers.stanford.edu
  • apple.stanford.edu
  • computing.stanford.edu
  • courses.stanford.edu
  • datarates.stanford.edu
  • dell.stanford.edu
  • departmentphone.stanford.edu
  • email.stanford.edu
  • ess.stanford.edu
  • helpsu.stanford.edu
  • ithelp.stanford.edu
  • myitserviceshelp.stanford.edu
  • orderithelp.stanford.edu
  • software.stanford.edu
  • studentphone.stanford.edu
  • techtraining.stanford.edu
  • tools.stanford.edu
  • unixcomputing.stanford.edu
  • vpn.stanford.edu
  • web.stanford.edu
  • windows.stanford.edu
• SERVICES
  • IT Services Only
  • All Campus Providers
    → computing.stanford.edu
• GETTING HELP
  • Self-Help Web Site
  • HelpSU: IT Help Desk
  • Training
• PROJECTS
• ABOUT US
  • What We Do
  • Organization Chart
  • Strategic Plan
  • Jobs
  • Contact info
  • Service & System Metrics
• INTERNAL
• SEARCH

  • Search IT Services:
     

• IT Services
• Essential Stanford Software
• Connecting to SUNet
• using Wireless Ethernet with Windows Vista

Connecting Windows Vista to Stanford's Wireless Network

Before You Begin

To access Stanford's wireless network, you will need the following:

• a valid SUNet ID or wireless guest account
  If you have a wireless guest account, follow the instructions on the Access for Stanford Visitors web page.
  
  
• an 802.11b or 802.11g compatible wireless adapter

Register Your Wireless Card

You must register the hardware MAC address of your wireless adapter in Stanford's network database (NetDB) before your computer can connect to Stanford's wireless network. Even if you have already registered your laptop's wired Ethernet connection, you must register your wireless connection separately.

1. Click the Windows Start button.
   
   
2. In the Search box, type cmd and then press ENTER.
   
   

   

3. At the C:\ prompt, type ipconfig /all and press ENTER.
   
   
   
   
4. The next screen displays information about the adapter for your wireless network connection. Your twelve-digit, hardware MAC address is in the Physical Address field. Write down the Physical Address.
   
   
   You will probably see physical addresses for more than one adapter. Make sure that you note the physical address of your wireless network connection. You may have to scroll to find the wireless adapter.
   In the following example, the hardware MAC address is
   00-13-00-E1-11-11.
   
   
   
   
5. To register your wireless adapter:
   • Faculty and staff — provide the hardware address to your Local Network Administrator (LNA).
   • On-campus students — register your adapter on-line at the Rescomp Web site.
   • Off-campus students — submit a HelpSU request and include the hardware address.
     
     

     Note: Your computer will not be able to access the Stanford's wireless network until your wireless adapter information had been entered in NetDB.

6. At the C:\ prompt, type exit to close the window.

::top of page

Connect to Stanford's Wireless Network

1. Make sure that your wireless radio is turned on. Some laptops have a switch on the front or side that lets you enable and disable the wireless connection and other laptops use a keyboard shortcut to do this.
   
   
2. Click Start and then click Connect To.
   
   
3. Select Stanford from the list of wireless connections and then click Connect.
   
   
   
   
4. If this is the first time you are connecting to the Stanford wireless network, a dialog box will be displayed saying that Stanford is an unsecured network. Click Connect Anyway.
   
   
   
   
5. A dialog box will be displayed when your connection to the Stanford wireless network is successful. If this is your first time connecting to Stanford, select Save this network. (You won't see this option on subsequent connections.) Then, click Close.
   
   

::top of page