Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I connect?
- What equipment do I need to get connected?
- Am I able to print using Wireless?
- Is there a limit on how many people connect?
- How close do I have to be to connect?
- I keep losing my connection. What can I do?
- What is my connection speed?
- Will wireless work on a computer?
- Will it work with my iphone
- How do I map my home drive?
- Can all computers connect to the network?
- Does connecting drain my laptop battery?
- What is an SSID?
- What are the minimum requirements for connecting to the Southbank campus network?
- I already have a wireless card. Can I use it with the Southbank campus network?
- What are IEEE standards and what does Southbank campus support?
- Will it work with my Android phone?
How do I connect?
You are required to have a student account with the Southbank Institute of Technology in order to access the Wireless network. There are three easy steps to connect.
What equipment do I need to get connected?
In most instances any device that has wireless connectivity can connect to the wireless network. Depending on the profiling of the device will determine what level of connection you will get. General devices including laptops, netbooks, ipads and iphones should be able to connect to the network. Make sure that wireless is enabled on your device.
Am I able to print using Wireless?
No, the wireless network is not designed to print from a personal device over the wireless network.
Is there a limit on how many people connect?
There is no limit to the number of people that can connect. However a higher number of connections can impact the network speed.
How close do I have to be to connect?
The wireless signal strength is usually located on the bottom right-hand of your computer screen and is indicated with the symbol 
. Double click this with the mouse to see the signal strength.
Example - see number of bars
I keep losing my connection. What can I do?
Check the signal strength of the wireless connection. If this is weak move to a location where the signal strength increases.
What is my connection speed?
The IEEE 802.11 standard specifies that performance in ad-hoc mode must achieve 11Mbits/sec, but no more, regardless of whether the adapter is 802.11b or 802.11g. The 802.11N network will throttle down to the lowest connection speed. For example, if connecting with a laptop using 802.11g then the wireless network will run at the 802.11g connection speed.
Will wireless work on a Macintosh computer?
You can connect to the wireless network using a Macintosh computer if it has wireless access ie (Airport).
Will it work with my iphone?
Yes, you can connect using your iphone, although only internet access will be provided. See instructions for connecting using an iphone. Remember to enable wireless on your iphone.
See instructions for connecting using an iphone.
How do I map my home drive?
Home Drives have to be manually mapped.
See instructions for connecting using a laptop.
Can all computers connect to the network?
In most instances any device that has wireless connectivity can connect to the wireless network. Depending on the profiling of the device will determine what level of connection you will get.
Does connecting drain my laptop battery?
Yes, connecting to the wireless network will drain your laptop battery. Other factors including screen brightness, age of battery and applications running will also contribute to this as well, so plan your usage accordingly.
What is an SSID?
SSID or Service Set Identifier. The SSID identifies a wireless network and each wireless network in a given area has a unique SSID. Your computer must know the SSID for the network you want to use. The SSID for Southbank Institute is openwisbit.
What are the minimum requirements for connecting to the Southbank Institute campus network?
To connect to the wireless network you are required to be a student or staff member of Southbank Institute of Technology and have a network account. Without a student or staff network account you will not be able to connect.
I already have a wireless card. Can I use it with the Southbank Institute campus network?
You cannot use your personal wireless access card in conjunction with the Southbank Institute wireless network. It is one or the other.
What are IEEE standards and what does Southbank Institute campus support?
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards carrying out wireless local area network computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5Ghz frequency bands. These are all supported on the Southbank Institute wireless network.
Will it work with my Android phone?
Yes, you can connect using your Android Phone if the version of Android is 2.2 (Froyo) or above. This will provide internet access only.
Last updated 3 May, 2011