University Computer Help Desk

Before You Begin

Illinois State University offers wireless access to its students, faculty, staff, and guests through various wireless networks available throughout campus. Most wireless networks on campus require you to configure your computer or device before you can connect.

For more information on wireless at Illinois State, please refer to 1187: Overview of wireless access at Illinois State University.

Problem

Based on testing performed by Telecommunications & Networking and the University Computer Help Desk, some computers and devices have been identified as having persistent problems connecting or staying connected to wireless on campus.

The following device types are most commonly associated with the persistent connectivity problems described above:

• Android
• BlackBerry

These persistent connectivity issues should not be confused with general problems related to wireless at Illinois State. General problems can arise due to client misconfiguration, bad passwords, network problems, etc. Typically, a general problem will prevent you from connecting at all, whereas the issue described above is more accurately characterized as intermittent. If you are experiencing the persistent connectivity issues described above, you might describe it as "sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't" or "it works for X amount of time and then stops working."

More Information

In most cases, if your device loses its connection to campus wireless, you should be able to reconnect. You may find that some devices require you to attempt to reconnect several times before you are able to establish another working connection.

Telecommunications & Networking is working with the wireless access point vendor Meru to resolve these issues. It is believed that the problems stem from the clients' inability to properly respond to these wireless access points. Meru is working with Google, RIM, etc. to resolve these issues on Android, BlackBerry, etc.