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| Q: |
Will my Palm OS, Pocket PC, or Blackberry device work on Wireless PennNet? |
| A: |
Any handheld device that includes
hardware supporting the 802.11b wireless
standard and includes an SSL capable
web browser should work on Wireless PennNet. Consult your owner's manual
to determine
if your device is equipped for wireless networking or to learn how to configure
your device to work on Wireless PennNet.
Your school or center may provide additional support for wireless devices
running Palm OS, Pocket PC, or Blackberry. Check with your Local Support Provider
(view Faculty or Staff LSP
list) or Information Technology Advisor (view Student ITA
list) for further assistance.
Also keep in mind that you must always launch a web browser first in order
to establish a connection to Wireless PennNet.
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| Q: |
I have a wireless card not on your recommended
list. Will mine work? |
| A: |
The cards
that Penn recommends use 802.11b wireless networking
standards. Any cards that support these standards should work.
However, wireless
networking
is
a new technology, so not all wireless cards work successfully on Wireless
PennNet, even when no incompatibilities are obvious.
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| Q: |
Can I use my newer 802.11g wireless card with Wireless PennNet? |
| A: |
Most 802.11g standard
wireless cards are backward compatible with 802.11b standards,
so no special configuration should be necessary. Follow the manufacturer's
installation
instructions, and use the Wireless PennNet configuration
instructions as if you were installing an 802.11b card.
Also, keep in
mind that wireless networking is a new technology; it is possible that
not all 802.11g wireless cards will be compatible with Wireless PennNet.
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| Q: |
Will wireless computing drain my laptop battery? |
| A: |
Wireless devices generally have two power consumption modes: Constantly Awake Mode (CAM) and Power Save Polling (PSP).
Constantly Awake Mode provides the best performance by providing a strong
connection between your machine's wireless card and the wireless network's Access
Point.
However, it drains your battery more rapidly than Power Save Polling mode.
Power Save Polling causes your wireless device to "sleep" periodically
by temporarily turning its radio signal off. This mode works separately from
your laptop's sleep mode and occurs
while the card is in use. As a result, it uses less battery
power, permitting
a longer battery life.
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