Networking
Wired vs. Wireless
Most areas in the Faculty are serviced with a mix of wired and wireless networking. Each has advantages and disadvantages and it is important that you choose the connection that is best suited to your work.
Wired
A wired connection is much faster and more reliable than the wireless network. The wired network gives you a dedicated 100Mbps connection. You should use the wired connection for applications where reliability and speed are important, such as:
There are not enough wired ports for everyone to use at the same time. This is especially the case in the classrooms which usually only have 2 or 4 ports. They are there to provide service for those whose needs aren’t being met by the wireless system.
Wireless
The wireless network provides a 54Mbps connection which is shared with everyone in your vicinity. If one person is putting a heavy load on the wireless it will be slow for everyone. Wireless speed and reliability is further complicated by signal interference and how far away you are from the access point. The wireless network is meant to handle basic day to day use, such as:
JAR, Arch 2, and CAST have wireless networking coverage provided by IST, using the same system as many other buildings on campus. There are typically two networks available, ‘uofm’ and ‘uofm-wpa’.
The uofm network is intended for guests and as a short term solution for those who have not yet configured their system to use uofm-wpa. There is less capacity on the uofm network than the uofm-wpa network.
The uofm-wpa network is the preferred wireless network. It provides secure and reliable wireless access. In order to use it, your computer must be configured with special settings and possibly special software. For information on how to connect to the uofm-secure network, please visit the IST wireless page at http://umanitoba.ca/computing/ist/connect/wireless/.
Password for Network Access
Both the wired and wireless networks (except the wireless in Education) require that you have a current UMnetID account to log in. Your UMnetID is the same name and password that you use for Jump or e-mail. It is not necessarily the same as your printing password.
If you don’t know your password or it isn’t working for some reason, you will need to contact the IST Help & Solutions Centre.
Coverage Areas
Russell Building
The Russell building is set up for wireless networking with general coverage throughout the building. The wireless network in the Russell building is maintained by IST.
The following areas have hard wired connections:
*NOTE: During the summer of 2010, the access point in the basement of the library will be offline to accommodate the renovations in that area. This will have a negative impact on the wireless availability in that vicinity.
Architecture 2
The wireless network in Architecture 2 is maintained by IST.
There is only wireless coverage in certain areas, including:
Other spaces such as Rm. 225 or the gallery may pick up a wireless signal from one of the above locations, but it is not guaranteed to work.
The following areas have hard wired connections:
C.A.S.T.
The wireless network in C.A.S.T. is maintained by IST. The C.A.S.T. building is set up for wireless networking with general coverage throughout the building.
The upper level of C.A.S.T. has several wired connections as well.
Education building
The wireless network in the Education building studio is maintained by CADLab.
To access this wireless network you must agree to and sign a usage agreement which is kept on file in the CADLab office, Rm. 124 Architecture 2.
There are also several wired connections available on the walls and columns in the Education studio.
*NOTE: The Education studio wireless network will be offline during the summer.
If you have questions about network availability in a certain area, please contact the CADLab.
Most areas in the Faculty are serviced with a mix of wired and wireless networking. Each has advantages and disadvantages and it is important that you choose the connection that is best suited to your work.
Wired
A wired connection is much faster and more reliable than the wireless network. The wired network gives you a dedicated 100Mbps connection. You should use the wired connection for applications where reliability and speed are important, such as:
- Streaming video
- Uploading or downloading large files
- Printing
- Skype or similar service
There are not enough wired ports for everyone to use at the same time. This is especially the case in the classrooms which usually only have 2 or 4 ports. They are there to provide service for those whose needs aren’t being met by the wireless system.
Wireless
The wireless network provides a 54Mbps connection which is shared with everyone in your vicinity. If one person is putting a heavy load on the wireless it will be slow for everyone. Wireless speed and reliability is further complicated by signal interference and how far away you are from the access point. The wireless network is meant to handle basic day to day use, such as:
- Light web browsing
- Instant messaging
JAR, Arch 2, and CAST have wireless networking coverage provided by IST, using the same system as many other buildings on campus. There are typically two networks available, ‘uofm’ and ‘uofm-wpa’.
The uofm network is intended for guests and as a short term solution for those who have not yet configured their system to use uofm-wpa. There is less capacity on the uofm network than the uofm-wpa network.
The uofm-wpa network is the preferred wireless network. It provides secure and reliable wireless access. In order to use it, your computer must be configured with special settings and possibly special software. For information on how to connect to the uofm-secure network, please visit the IST wireless page at http://umanitoba.ca/computing/ist/connect/wireless/.
Password for Network Access
Both the wired and wireless networks (except the wireless in Education) require that you have a current UMnetID account to log in. Your UMnetID is the same name and password that you use for Jump or e-mail. It is not necessarily the same as your printing password.
If you don’t know your password or it isn’t working for some reason, you will need to contact the IST Help & Solutions Centre.
Coverage Areas
Russell Building
The Russell building is set up for wireless networking with general coverage throughout the building. The wireless network in the Russell building is maintained by IST.
The following areas have hard wired connections:
- Studio areas
- Classrooms
- Centre Space
- Staff Offices (requires computer to be registered at CADLab)
*NOTE: During the summer of 2010, the access point in the basement of the library will be offline to accommodate the renovations in that area. This will have a negative impact on the wireless availability in that vicinity.
Architecture 2
The wireless network in Architecture 2 is maintained by IST.
There is only wireless coverage in certain areas, including:
- 3rd floor studio
- 4th floor studio
- Rm. 121D Computer lab
- Rm. 111 & Rm. 121B studios
Other spaces such as Rm. 225 or the gallery may pick up a wireless signal from one of the above locations, but it is not guaranteed to work.
The following areas have hard wired connections:
- All studio areas
- Classrooms
- Rm. 225
- Staff Offices (requires computer to be registered at CADLab)
C.A.S.T.
The wireless network in C.A.S.T. is maintained by IST. The C.A.S.T. building is set up for wireless networking with general coverage throughout the building.
The upper level of C.A.S.T. has several wired connections as well.
Education building
The wireless network in the Education building studio is maintained by CADLab.
To access this wireless network you must agree to and sign a usage agreement which is kept on file in the CADLab office, Rm. 124 Architecture 2.
There are also several wired connections available on the walls and columns in the Education studio.
*NOTE: The Education studio wireless network will be offline during the summer.
If you have questions about network availability in a certain area, please contact the CADLab.