RedRover Wireless Program Update for TSP Forum

RedRover Topics for the Forum The Basics of RedRover RedRover and Security Recent RedRover Enhancements Where is RedRover Helping Users Get Started Troubleshooting RedRover RedRover Contact Information Questions

RedRover is… Supplemental wireless network service Based on WiFi NOT a secure wireless network For the Cornell Community and Guests

RedRover allows you to… Surf the web Check Use network applications Connect to the Internet Secure Shell Connect with VPN

What About Security? In some ways a wireless connection is more vulnerable than a wired connection because, Ethernet packets sent through the air can be captured easier using a protocol analyzer or similar software than on wired network connection.

What About Privacy? Maintaining privacy is more difficult on a wireless connection. For communications that require privacy, use applications that secure the data stream regardless if the connection is wired or wireless.

More About Security? RedRover and RedRover-Guest wireless networks do not secure the data stream and are not designed to provide private communications. Use these networks as if you were speaking in public and keep your computer operating system and virus protection up to date.

Recent RedRover Enhancements Chantry Networks (now part of Siemens) Next generation wireless Not bridging Ethernet and wireless Ethernet Three modes of wireless supported Improved management

Recent RedRover Enhancements Network Name (SSID) RedRover Network registry is back on for wireless. More wireless coverage has been established Three modes of wireless supported IEEE a IEEE b IEEE g

Recent RedRover Enhancements Network Name (SSID) RedRover-Guest Network registry not required but, the guest wireless network provides a limited set of services: Web Instant messaging (AIM and ICQ) Secure shell (ssh) File transfer protocol (FTP) VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections

Future RedRover Enhancements Network Name (SSID) RedRover-WPA IEEE i

Where is RedRover? Visit the below link to view updated RedRover locations: The following slide is an example of what the main RedRover map looks like. This is currently in the process of being updated.

Helping Users to get Started If not already installed, install your Wi-Fi compliant wireless networking device. Set RedRover as your network name (SSID). Take your laptop to any RedRover covered location. If you are still connected via Ethernet also, select the wireless card as the one you wish the computer to use. Bring up a browser window. Go to to register (you should be directed there automatically).

Helping Users Troubleshoot First questions to ask Have you tried to get help from Is your computer running one of the following operating systems: Windows 98/Me/XP, Windows NT/2000, Linux, or Macintosh OS 8.6 and above? Do you have a Wi-Fi compliant wireless networking device installed in your laptop? Are you in an area with RedRover coverage? Refer to Have you registered for RedRover via the web pages at

Troubleshooting Topics How do I install the wireless card? Where do I put the network name? Why do I need to register/renew? How do I register? What if my card doesn’t work? What if my signal strength is low?

Installing the Wireless Card Refer to the manual that came with card Refer to “Set up Your Wireless Card” on Still problems? Contact the CIT Contact Center:

CE device or Linux system? If the device or system is WiFi compliant and has a web-browser that supports redirection, they should work with RedRover. You might need to seek help from the provider of the device or system.

Network Name? RedRover

Why Register/Renew? Cornell University faculty, staff and students are not able to access some services or use filesharing on campus until they register. MAC addresses are registered for compliance with Cornell University’s network registry policy. Registrations expire every 6 months and users will receive an asking them to renew (re-registration).

How Do I Register? Read and accept Terms and Conditions Wait for next page Check info filled in by CU Web Auth or SideCar User Name NetID MAC address of wireless card Click “Submit” Wait for database to be updated Receive confirmation page and subsequent

Common Registration Errors Not on the wireless network Users will get an error page if they try to register from the wired network. The message states that they cannot register from the subnet they are currently on and must get on the wireless subnet.

Common Registration Errors Already registered If a user has already registered, they will receive a page telling them their MAC address has already been registered and what that address is. Wrong User Info Presented by CU Web Auth or SideCar If the user info filled in is incorrect the user will have to follow steps to check and change the information associated with their NetID. Do they have a working NetID/ address? Proceed with CIT Contact Center (HelpDesk) procedures to help a user with setting up/changing “Who Am I” information.

Common Registration Errors No Confirmation Received If the user does not receive an with a confirmation of their registration to their NetID, they are directed to contact the CIT Contact Center (HelpDesk). Do they have a working NetID/ address? Are they forwarding their to a “broken” address? Proceed with CIT Contact Center (HelpDesk) procedures to help a user with setting up/changing “Who Am I” and information. Registration Pages Hung Restart the process at If user gets a page saying he is already registered, then they were successful on the first try and don’t need to try again.

My Signal Strength is Low Refer to to determine if user is in a RedRover coverage zone. Cards: Check the card’s client utility Click on the staircase icon to check the wireless utility for signal strength. Mac Airport card: Check the AirPort control strip (0-5 green dots) or the signal-level bar in the Airport application. Have user move closer to the access point and try to re-establish a connection.

The AP Doesn’t Work Have user move to a different RedRover location to establish if they can get a connection from another AP. If this succeeds, the first AP might not be functioning properly. TSPs Open a trouble ticket with the NOC. or If the trouble is a user based problem Contact the CIT Contact Center. or

Where to get more info: RedRover Web site General Redrover feedback Specific problems Contact the CIT Contact Center 8am to 8pm Escalation if needed RedRover Program Manager, Dave Barr

Questions?