Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any troubleshooting questions please click here.

1.) What is Mustang Wireless?

Mustang Wireless is a service that provides students, faculty and staff WiFi wireless access to the campus network. This is done by using Radio Frequency (RF) technology to transmit data through the air without wired cabling. Mustang Wireless provides all the same features and benefits of the existing campus network, but without the limitations of being tethered to a cable.

Wireless-equipped laptops are available for checkout by students, faculty and staff in the Kennedy Library, as well as at Media Distribution Services.

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2.) Where does Mustang Wireless work?

Mustang Wireless is available in all buildings across the campus.

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3.) Can I use my personal laptop for Mustang Wireless?

Yes. Students, staff, and faculty have access to the Mustang Wireless network with personal laptops. No technical support will be available for personal computers at this time. It will be up to the user to correctly configure their computer for use with Mustang Wireless. See question 4 below for equipment required.

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4.) What equipment is required for using my personal laptop?

Laptops must have a wireless network card which uses IEEE 802.11b/g standard technology with Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS or DS). To ensure compatibility with the Cal Poly Mustang Wireless system, look for the Wi-Fi* symbol (Wireless Fidelity) on newly purchased equipment. WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) is the organization behind Wi-Fi that certifies products meeting the IEEE 802.11b/g through compatibility testing.

In addition, the user must be in a building that has Mustang Wireless coverage.

For more Information visit Get Connected.

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5.) How do I get connected with my personal laptop?

Mustang Wireless is on a log-in system called Cisco Clean Access. For more information go to Get Connected.

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6.) How do I check out a laptop for use?

Students, faculty and staff can check out laptops at the Kennedy Library PolyConnect Computer Lab as well as at Media Distribution Services.

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7.) Where do I go if I have a question?

General questions about Mustang Wireless may be answered at the ITS Service Desk at 756-7000.

If a user is having problems with software or Cal Poly accounts, they should call the ITS Service Desk at 756-7000.

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8.) Is Mustang Wireless secure? Can someone see my email/data?

The Cisco Clean Access log-in is an encrypted session, however, after that initial log-in, Mustang Wireless is not secure because an intruder does not need physical access to your computer or the wired network in order to gain access to your data communications. Accordingly, you must be aware that there are serious risks or limitations if a secure connection is required for what you are doing on the wireless network. When using the system, your data is being sent over radio waves and can be picked up by anyone. However, IEEE 802.11b/g wireless communications cannot be received - much less decoded - by simple scanners, short wave receivers etc. This does not mean that eavesdropping cannot occur. Eavesdropping is possible using specialized equipment.

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9.) What is Cisco Clean Access?

Wireless authentication is done with a username/password challenge accomplished using Cisco Clean Access (the same product used in the Residence Halls). Additional functionality to verify users are running anti-virus, anti-spyware and the latest operating system patches are featured in the Residence Halls. For more information on Cisco Clean Access, Click Here.

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10.) What is the Cisco Clean Access Agent?

The Agent is a small program that runs in the Windows and Mac system tray (by the clock), and may be used to login to the network for Windows and Macintosh operating systems only.

The Agent is not spyware, it doesn't record what you are doing online, or what is on your hard drive. It is simply used to connect valid users to the network.

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11.) Can I turn off the CCA Agent?

The CCA agent must be running If wish to use it to login. Alternatively, you may use a web browser to login.

If you will not be using Mustang Wireless on Windows you can right click the Agent and click "Exit" to turn if off.

On a Mac single click the tray icon and select quit.

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12.) What if the Agent doesn't load correctly on my Windows Machine?

If the Agent doesn't load when you start up your Windows machine, you must manually start it by double-clicking the icon on your desktop, or via the "Start" --> "Programs" menu.

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13.) Where can I download the Cisco Clean Access Agent?

The Agent is available only for Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Linux machines or other devices do not need the agent to access Mustang Wireless.

If you would like to download the agent Click Here.

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14.) What wireless network do I connect to?

The wireless network names or "SSIDs" are MustangWireless and SecureMustangWireless.

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15.) Is there a login for Guests visiting Cal Poly?

Yes. Please visit the Get Connected page.

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16.) How do I configure my computer for Mustang wireless?

1) You must have wireless enabled on your computer.
2) Your network connection must be set to automatically
obtain an IP (DHCP).

For more tips on configuring your wireless connection, see Troubleshooting.

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17.) Outside wireless: Where can I find it?

To find outdoor wireless hot spots, check the outdoor coverage map here.

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18.) Does Cisco Clean Access support 64 bit Windows Operating Systems?

Cisco officially supports 64 bit Windows Operating Systems.

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19.) How do I connect to Mustang Wireless if I'm running Boot camp?

Boot camp allows you to run the Windows operating system on your Mac hardware. If you are using boot camp you will connect to Mustang Wireless in the same way a Windows machine would. See Get Connected for Windows.

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20.) How do I connect to Mustang Wireless if I'm running Parallels?

Parallels allows you to run the Windows operating system as a virtual machine or application on your Mac. Your Windows operating system running in Parallels will use your already existing Cisco Clean Access session to connect to the internet.

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21.) Do I need Admin access on my machine to download and install Cisco Clean Access agent and patches?

Windows
On Windows you most likely have administrative privileges. If you do not there is a small piece of software that can be installed to allow non-administrators to download, update, and install the Cisco Clean Access Agent and patches. Click here to download.

Mac
On a Mac it is required that you have administrative privileges to download, update and install the Cisco Clean Access Agent and patches.

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22.) Is CCA compatible with the latest versions of Windows (Vista & 7) and Macintosh (Snow Leopard)?

Yes. You may use the CCA agent to login to Mustang Wireless or authenticate using any web browser. Simply visit the Get Connected page to download the CCA agent or open a browser and you'll be redirected to the login page. Please remember that ITS is unable to provide support for your laptop. It is up to you to install the agent and maintain your computer.

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23.) How do I connect with my iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Droid, Blackberry (or other PDA device)?

To determine how to connect your PDA device go to Connect to Mustang Wireless: PDA/Smart Phones.

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24.) How do I find my computer's hardware address?

Windows

Ethernet: Open a command window by: Start > Run, type cmd, enter, type                ipconfig /all. Your MAC address is the number next to Physical                Address under Local Area Connection.

Wireless: Repeat above, except your MAC address is found next to Physical                Address under Wireless Network Connection.

Macintosh

Ethernet: From the dock, select Apple > System Preferences, open Network >                Advanced > Ethernet Tab and locate the number next to the Ethernet                ID. This is your MAC address.

Wireless: From the dock, select Apple > System Preferences > Network >                Advanced > AirPort Tab and locate the number next to the AirPort ID.                This is your MAC address.

Linux

Ethernet: Open a terminal by: Applications > Accessories > Terminal, type                ifconfig -a, the number next to the eth0 > HWaddr is your MAC address.

Wireless: Repeat above, except your MAC address is the number next to wlan0 >                HWaddr.

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25.) Are there any issues with logging into Mustang Wireless with iPads?

If you experience problems logging onto Mustang Wireless with your iPad, we recommend you make the following changes:

Under Settings>Safari ensure that AutoFill is off.

Also under AutoFill, ensure that User contact info and Names and Passwords are off.

Click here to view a screenshot.

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26.) How many times do I need to login to Mustang Wireless?

We now require only one login per day using your web browser. So, for example, if you login to Mustang Wireless with your iPhone (or other wireless capable device) in the morning, you will not be prompted to re-login again for the entire day. If you are currently using the Cisco Clean Acess Agent for logging in, that will continue to work as it always has.

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27.) Does Cal Poly offer encrypted wireless?

Yes. Cal Poly is now offering secure wireless access to students, faculty and staff. This WPA2-enabled secure wireless network features the installation of a certificate on your device to match our server certificate. To learn how to configure your wireless device for connecting to Secure Mustang Wireless visit the Get Connected page and click on Secure Wireless (WPA2).

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28.) What is the difference between Mustang Wireless and Secure Mustang Wireless?

The two wireless networks are the same speed and have the same coverage. The main difference is that Secure Mustang Wireless encrypts wireless data between you and the wireless access point. Mustang Wireless is very easy to use, while Secure Mustang Wireless requires special configuration on your device.

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29.) Why not use the Secure Mustang Wireless connection all the time?

It is not necessary to connect to Secure Mustang Wireless if there is no sensitive data being sent over the network. Some people who sign into websites that are not secured prefer to use Secure Mustang Wireless, since they are concerned about their password floating around. Most web sites are secured at the web browser level, such as Cal Poly Portal, Bank of America, Amazon and others, which means that if you are connected to regular Mustang Wireless, your data is encrypted at the web browser level rather than the wireless connection level.

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30.) Is there wireless available in the Residence Halls?

Yes, but only in certain areas. Wireless is primarily available in study rooms and outside/common areas. The SSID for these areas is "Resnet Wireless" but you will use the same credentials that you use for Mustang Wireless.

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