Category Archives: Wireless

OULS-reader wireless

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The OULS-reader wireless service is currently out of action.   ICT are working to fix it as soon as possible, but in the meantime wireless access is still possible via OWL (via VPN) or Eduroam.

We’ll let you know as soon as we hear it is up and running again!

Edit: All working again now! (10.05am)

Wireless update

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For those of you who have been experiencing problems with connecting to the wireless network this week, please ensure that you are connecting to OWL and not OWL-VPN. OWL has replaced the old OWL-VPN network, but apparently OWL-VPN is still visible in some parts of the library with a very weak signal. Connections through OWL-VPN will therefore be poor and liable to drop out. Choose OWL from the list of available networks instead, and then log in through the VPN as normal. Alternatively you can use the new OULS-reader network, which doesn’t need the VPN – just open up your web browser, enter your OLIS barcode and password and away you go!

Wireless problems and WISER coming up

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The wireless upgrade on Tuesday doesn’t appear to have gone as smoothly as planned… we’ve had several reports of a consistently weak signal and problems connecting. ICT are investigating and hopefully the network will be back to full strength soon. In the meantime, if you have been having problems accessing the wireless network it would be great if you could let us know (including how you are accessing – OWL via VPN or the new OULS-reader – and where you are sitting).

UPDATE: Apparently 1 connection in 10 is suffering a weak signal, so hopefully the majority of you are connecting fine…

And while I’m here… next week’s WISER session:

WISER: Google Project
Wednesday 4th June 2008 (week 7), 12.30 – 1.30, OUCS, Banbury Road.
The Library Services are working with Google to attempt the mass digitization of our entire holdings of out-of-copyright C19th material. This presentation will set our experiences and the outputs of the project in the context of Oxford’s ambitions to provide a digital library service for the global community of readers.
Michael Popham.
Book at: http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/itlp/courses/detail/TZWR

Changes to wireless network access

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Following the upgrade of our wireless service this morning, there is now a choice of ways to access the wireless network in the VHL. When you start up your computer, it will now pick up three wireless networks which you can connect to:

  • Bodleian-Libraries: This is now the preferred option, and can be accessed without the need for VPN software. After you have connected to OULS-reader in the list of available networks, open up your web browser. You will be taken to a page where you will be prompted to enter your library card barcode and password. This is the same password as you would use to place stack requests via OLIS. Once authenticated, the full range of network resources will be available to you. NB, if your password is the same as your barcode this system will not accept it and you will need to change it via OLIS. Once changed, there will be a delay of up to 30 minutes before you can access the network. 
  • OWL: If you are used to connecting to the wireless via OWL-VPN you can continue to do so!
  • Eduroam: If you are an external reader and have an Eduroam account from your home institution, you can use this to connect via the Eduroam network. Please note however that this will only give you access to the resources subscribed to by your home institution, and NOT Oxford’s. If you wish to access Oxford’s resources, please log in to OULS-reader.

Reminder – wireless network upgrade (Tuesday 27th May)

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Just a reminder that our wireless network is being upgraded tomorrow (Tuesday 27th May), which will result in the network being unavailable for approximately one hour at 10am. The network connections on the library PCs will be unaffected so you can still access the internet/electronic resources using them.

Wireless upgrade – Tuesday 27th May

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Our wireless service is due to be upgraded next Tuesday (27th May). This will mean that the wireless network will be unavailable for approximately one hour from 10am. The network connections for the library PCs on the ground floor will be unaffected, so if you need to access electronic resources, email, the internet etc you will be able to do so through them while the wireless is down.

Wireless for external (non-University) readers

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We are now finally able to offer access to the wireless network for non-University members. If you are an external reader (ie, your library card is any colour other than blue!) and you would like to be able to connect your laptop to the internet in the VHL, please ask at the desk and we will issue you with an account username and password. This will allow you access via the OWL-VISITOR network.

Things to note:

  • Visitor accounts are short-term and all accounts issued will expire in December. If you want to continue using the wireless network next term you will need to re-register in January.
  • Access to the wireless network will not guarantee you access to all the University’s electronic resources. Most subscribed e-resources are IP-authenticated and therefore will not be available via the wireless network.
  • There is effectively no technical support for this service as OUCS will not support non-University members.