Using Wireless at the UW

• On this page:
• How Do I Connect to the UW Wireless Network?
• Logging In
• Long-term Registration
• Where Is Wireless Service?

The University of Washington's wireless network is designed to be a convenient supplement to the wired network for general functions such as Web browsing and email. Wireless "access points" located throughout many buildings and common areas of all three UW campuses allow compatible wireless devices to connect to the UW network, as well as UW NetID authenticated access to the Internet.

How Do I Connect to the UW Wireless Network?

The UW's network is named "University of Washington" and is the one you should use when on a UW campus. You may see other networks listed but they are not supported by UW Technology and may be unsafe to use.

Logging In

No login is required to use UW's wireless service unless you want to connect to services or sites outside the UW.

• If you use your browser to connect to a non-UW Web site, you will automatically be prompted to enter your UW NetID and password.
• If you are using a non-Web service (e.g., a secure terminal or file transfer tool) to communicate outside the UW, you must FIRST run a browser and view a Web page outside the UW to bring up the authentication page.
• If your wireless device does not have a Web browser (e.g., some phones, printers, etc. do not), see information on 'long-term registration' below.

Once you have successfully logged in (authenticated) you will be able to use services outside the UW for up to 12 hours without having to re-authenticate

Long-Term Registration

University of Washington, students, faculty, and staff also have an option to easily register their computer (or other wireless device) so that it is not necessary to authenticate each day they connect from the UW campus wireless network to resources outside the UW.

• If your computer or device has a Web browser:
  When you try to connect to a URL off campus, you will see the "Login with your UW NetID" page.
  Click on the "long-term wireless registration" checkbox and then login using your UW NetID and password.
• If your wireless device does not have a Web browser (e.g., some phones, printers ):
  A request for a long-term registration may be submitted to UW Technology by sending email to help@washington.edu
  Including the MAC address (hardware ID number) of the wireless device in your request will speed up the process.
• Manual registration:
  You can create a long-term registration for your device yourself using the register page.
• Unregister:
  You can unregister your device yourself using the unregister page. You can also request to have your device unregistered by emailing UW Technology at help@washington.edu

A long-term registration remains active as long as:

1. The registering person has a current faculty/staff/student affiliation with the UW.
2. The device has been on the network in the last 100 days.

Where Is Wireless Service?

Wireless service is available in most UW buildings. See the wireless service map or list for more information.