Overview
This site is where you can find some common recommendations for resolving wireless connection problems in the UofL residence halls, administration and academic buildings.
Self-service troubleshooting
Unsupported Operating Systems/ Devices
Make sure your device is running a supported Operating System, and also isn't a known incompatible device
Updating Wireless Drivers
This is important especially for computers that have Intel wireless cards. Legacy Intel drivers do not function well with the wireless infrastructure installed at UofL. You can find more information regarding why you may need wireless driver updates.
If you have a computer running the Windows operating system, please check to see if you have Intel Wireless drivers. This can be found by going to:
- Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager
- You can search for Device Manager in the control panel of Windows Vista and Windows 7
- If you have an Intel wireless card, please update the drivers by going to http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-010623.htm
Correct Login Information
Ulsecure uses your Active Directory login. This login is the same that is used for UofL exchange (outlook) email (faculty/staff) or UofL cardmail email (student). Please verify that you can login to either your UofL exchange (outlook) email, (faculty/staff), or UofL cardmail (students) email. If you cannot login to your email account then you may not be able to login to ulsecure wireless. You may need to change your password.
Removing the ulsecure network
If a password or setting is wrong and is stored in the ulsecure profile it may be preventing you from connecting. For instructions on how to remove ulsecure wireless network select your operating system: Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1,Windows 10,Mac OSX 10.5.X, Mac OSX 10.6.X, Mac OSX 10.7.X(Lion), Mac OSX 10.8.X(Mountain Lion), Mac OSX 10.9.X(Mavericks), iOS, Kindle Fire HD andAndroid. Once removed follow the ulsecure wireless configuration guides to connect to ulsecure.
Disable power savings mode for the wireless card
Some operating system/computer combinations are capable of throttling the power delivered to a wireless card when it is either not heavily used or when the computer is in sleep mode. This can cause some connection problems or result is slower connectivity. If you're having trouble with the wireless network, please try to disable this feature.
Radio hardware and software switches
Each wireless card and computer manufacturer has a different way of disabling the radio or wireless card antenna. If you are receiving very low or no signal strength from the UofL wireless networks please be sure that your radio is on. First look for a hardware switch on your device. Some devices implement a hardware switch using the "Fn" key. Hold down "Fn" and press the key with a radio tower. You should get a message telling you if you have just turned WiFi on or off. Refer your laptop manual for more information.
Disable IPv6
For a full description of why disabling IPv6 can help you get a better connection on the UofL wireless network, please see the following: Disable IPv6
Device waking from "Sleep" mode
For a full description of why devices have trouble connecting after being in "Sleep" mode, please see the following: Sleep Mode
Wireless Speed Tests
Wireless speed tests for local and off campus can be found here
Interference
In addition to active interference caused by other radio waves, wireless network signals can be disrupted by physical obstacles including some types of windows, building materials, furniture, and appliances. Often refrigerators placed in the line of sight or near a wireless device can cause serious degradation of signal.
If you are noticing problems connecting to the wireless network, please keep these questions in mind:
Do you have a cordless phone?
Can you see or connect to networks not called "ulsecure"?
How far away is the nearest access point?
Are there large appliances, doors, walls, metal objects or structures between where you work and where the closest access point is?
For help with minimizing interference around your wireless device please see the following: Minimize Interference
Reporting a problem to UofL IT
UofL IT is committed to resolving problems and concerns that are reported on the wireless network. Since there can be many different types of problems on the wireless network, UofL IT needs some additional information to help resolve them and determine if there are any trends.
Overview of troubleshooting steps and Information requested:
- Provide your name and contact information
- Update wireless drivers
- Provide the building name and room number where you are located
- Provide your MAC address, SSID (network name) - all included in Windows Vista/7 and Mac OS X UofL script (below)
- Provide the date and time the problem occurred
Description of the problem (Examples Below)
- The connection is slow, intermittent or never connects?
- I can get connected in some places but not in others
- The signal strength indicator is showing low
- Any other details you can think of
How to gather specific information (SSID, MAC addresses)
UofL Wifi Information gathering script
This application is intended to make data gathering easier while working with UofL IT personnel to troubleshoot wired or wireless network problems. The script will run a few commands for Windows Vista/7/8/10 or Mac OS X and put a diagnostic file on your desktop. Go to http://louisville.edu/it/departments/consulting/helpdesk/ and create an incident in ServiceNow. Once you start the incident, you will see a paper clip in the top right corner that you can click on to attach the script file or call 502-852-7997 . Please see below for directions on downloading and running the script.
Note: Windows XP users
Because Windows XP does not include the necessary components to gather information about the wireless network interface, a script has not been included. You can find some information below about how to obtain the IP address, MAC address.
Running the UofL Wifi Information gathering scripts
- Windows 10/8/7/Vista
- Mac OS X
- Windows XP
Windows 10/8/7/Vista
...
Overview
This site is where you can find some common recommendations for resolving wireless connection problems in the UofL residence halls, administration and academic buildings.
Self-service troubleshooting
Unsupported Operating Systems/ Devices
Make sure your device is running a supported Operating System, and also isn't a known incompatible device
Updating Wireless Drivers
This is important especially for computers that have Intel wireless cards. Legacy Intel drivers do not function well with the wireless infrastructure installed at UofL. You can find more information regarding why you may need wireless driver updates.
If you have a computer running the Windows operating system, please check to see if you have Intel Wireless drivers. This can be found by going to:
- Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager
- You can search for Device Manager in the control panel of Windows Vista and Windows 7
- If you have an Intel wireless card, please update the drivers by going to http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-010623.htm
Correct Login Information
Ulsecure uses your Active Directory login. This login is the same that is used for UofL exchange (outlook) email (faculty/staff) or UofL cardmail email (student). Please verify that you can login to either your UofL exchange (outlook) email, (faculty/staff), or UofL cardmail (students) email. If you cannot login to your email account then you may not be able to login to ulsecure wireless. You may need to change your password.
Removing the ulsecure network
If a password or setting is wrong and is stored in the ulsecure profile it may be preventing you from connecting. For instructions on how to remove ulsecure wireless network select your operating system: Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1,Windows 10,Mac OSX 10.5.X, Mac OSX 10.6.X, Mac OSX 10.7.X(Lion), Mac OSX 10.8.X(Mountain Lion), Mac OSX 10.9.X(Mavericks), iOS, Kindle Fire HD andAndroid. Once removed follow the ulsecure wireless configuration guides to connect to ulsecure.
Disable power savings mode for the wireless card
Some operating system/computer combinations are capable of throttling the power delivered to a wireless card when it is either not heavily used or when the computer is in sleep mode. This can cause some connection problems or result is slower connectivity. If you're having trouble with the wireless network, please try to disable this feature.
Radio hardware and software switches
Each wireless card and computer manufacturer has a different way of disabling the radio or wireless card antenna. If you are receiving very low or no signal strength from the UofL wireless networks please be sure that your radio is on. First look for a hardware switch on your device. Some devices implement a hardware switch using the "Fn" key. Hold down "Fn" and press the key with a radio tower. You should get a message telling you if you have just turned WiFi on or off. Refer your laptop manual for more information.
Disable IPv6
For a full description of why disabling IPv6 can help you get a better connection on the UofL wireless network, please see the following: Disable IPv6
Device waking from "Sleep" mode
For a full description of why devices have trouble connecting after being in "Sleep" mode, please see the following: Sleep Mode
Wireless Speed Tests
Wireless speed tests for local and off campus can be found here
Interference
In addition to active interference caused by other radio waves, wireless network signals can be disrupted by physical obstacles including some types of windows, building materials, furniture, and appliances. Often refrigerators placed in the line of sight or near a wireless device can cause serious degradation of signal.
If you are noticing problems connecting to the wireless network, please keep these questions in mind:
Do you have a cordless phone?
Can you see or connect to networks not called "ulsecure"?
How far away is the nearest access point?
Are there large appliances, doors, walls, metal objects or structures between where you work and where the closest access point is?
For help with minimizing interference around your wireless device please see the following: Minimize Interference
Reporting a problem to UofL IT
UofL IT is committed to resolving problems and concerns that are reported on the wireless network. Since there can be many different types of problems on the wireless network, UofL IT needs some additional information to help resolve them and determine if there are any trends.
Overview of troubleshooting steps and Information requested:
- Provide your name and contact information
- Update wireless drivers
- Provide the building name and room number where you are located
- Provide your MAC address, SSID (network name) - all included in Windows Vista/7 and Mac OS X UofL script (below)
- Provide the date and time the problem occurred
Description of the problem (Examples Below)
- The connection is slow, intermittent or never connects?
- I can get connected in some places but not in others
- The signal strength indicator is showing low
- Any other details you can think of
How to gather specific information (SSID, MAC addresses)
UofL Wifi Information gathering script
This application is intended to make data gathering easier while working with UofL IT personnel to troubleshoot wired or wireless network problems. The script will run a few commands for Windows Vista/7/8/10 or Mac OS X and put a diagnostic file on your desktop. Go to http://louisville.edu/it/departments/consulting/helpdesk/
...
and create an incident in ServiceNow. Once you start the incident, you will see a paper clip in the top right corner that you can click on to attach the script file or call 502
...
Mac OS X
Note: Due to Gatekeeper, this file will not run properly after first downloaded on Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion and up). You can still use the script by disabling Gatekeeper.-852-7997 . Please see below for directions on downloading and running the script.
Running the UofL Wifi Information gathering scripts
- Windows 10/8/7/Vista
- Mac OS X
Windows 10/8/7/Vista
- Download the following file to your computer running Mac OS XWindows : UOFL UofL_Network Information for Mac OS XInfo for WinVista_Win7_Win8_Win10.zip
- Double click on UOFL the file UofL_Network Information for Mac OS X.zip to extract the folderInfo for WinVista_Win7_Win8_Win10.zip to extract the file.
- Double click on UOFL on UofL_Network Information for Mac OS X script.The application Info for WinVista_Win7_Win8_Win10.vbs file.
- When the application completes, it will put a file on your Desktop called UOFL-Network-Troubleshooting-InfoUofL Wireless Network Information_<datestamp>.txt
- Go to http://louisville.edu/it/departments/consulting/helpdesk/and create an incident in ServiceNow. Once you start the incident, you will see a paper clip in the top right corner that you can click on to attach the script file or call 502-852-7997
Windows XP
Windows XP users: Unfortunately, BSSID and Channel information is not always easily obtainable in Windows XP. We very much appreciate the information if you can get it. If not, please provide the MAC address (instructions below) and the network name you connect to (ie... ulsecure,ulopen)
...
Mac OS X
Note: Due to Gatekeeper, this file will not run properly after first downloaded on Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion and up). You can still use the script by disabling Gatekeeper.
- Download the following file to your computer running Mac OS X: UOFL Network Information for Mac OS X.zip
- Double click on UOFL Network Information for Mac OS X.zip to extract the folder.
- Double click on UOFL Network Information for Mac OS X script.
- The application will put a file on your Desktop called UOFL-Network-Troubleshooting-Info_<datestamp>.txt
- Go to http://louisville.edu/it/departments/consulting/helpdesk/and create an incident in ServiceNow. Once you start the incident, you will see a paper clip in the top right corner that you can click on to attach the script file or call 502-852-7997
Linux
We do not currently offer an application for obtaining network information on Linux systems. An open source project called 'wireless-tools' is available than can be used to retrieve information comparable to that collected by our Mac/Windows scripts.
- Obtain the wireless-tools package. The package is preinstalled on some distributions, including Ubuntu Desktop. Instructions for its use and its installation can be obtained from Hewlett-Packard.
- Run the following two commands.
- The first command will return information about the wireless network currently connected to your computer.
iwconfig |
- The second command will return a list containing detailed information about all the wireless networks surrounding your computer.
iwlist scan |
- Copy the output of the previous commands into an appropriately named text file. Go to http://louisville.edu/it/departments/consulting/helpdesk/and create an incident in ServiceNow. Once you start the incident, you will see a paper clip in the top right corner that you can click on to attach the script file or call 502-852-7997