Akron Wireless Project FAQ

Quick Links

Network Status: What is the status on the build-out of Connect Akron?
Have there been any delays in the build-out of Connect Akron?
How often will the public be updated - and how?
When will the wireless network be completed?
What types of applications are the City and the advisory board planning for the network upon launch?
Whom do I contact with feedback or questions about the project?
Once the network is up, are there plans to expand it even further?
Logging In and Out: How do I sign up for service?
What basic equipment do I need?
How do I configure my computer to access the OneCommunity network?
How do I connect to Connect Akron?
Service Area: Where can I connect to Connect Akron?
Is service available inside my home or business?
Equipment: What is a wireless network card?
What type of wireless network card should I use?
How do I install a wireless network card?
What is a wireless network card device driver?
How do I install wireless network card drivers?
How often should I update my wireless network card drivers?
Which Web browsers are supported?
Which operating systems can be used?
Does my wireless device need to be configured?
What is a (wireless) "client?"
Connection Strength and Speed: What is the minimum signal strength to get connected?
How do I prevent my computer from flip-flopping between SSIDs?
Can I get a stable connection using Connect Akron?
How fast is Connect Akron?
Can I get a static IP for my account?
Does the OneCommunity network support VPNs?
I'm only getting 50 KB per second speed. Why is this slower than my 56k dial-up?
What do I do if I have a slow connection?
Does low signal strength mean that I am connecting at a slower connection rate?
What do I do if I lose my connection?
Wireless Networks: What are the benefits of Wi-Fi?
How does Wi-Fi work?
FAQ Glossary: 802.11b
802.11g
Access point
Associated/Association
Evil Twin Attack
Gain (dBi Gain)
MAC Address
NIC / Wireless NIC
(Radio) Interference
SSID
WiFi

Network Status

What is the status on the build-out of Connect Akron?

We have been working to bring access to as many citizens as possible using a re-imagined network design that leverages rooftop access. By mounting access points and antennae on downtown roofs, we are able to drive down near and long-term costs while improving the reach of each access point. To-date, seventeen buildings have granted Connect Akron free access, including:

Bulger Hall (University of Akron)
Crave (Tony Troppe, The Everett Group)
Akron Summit County Library (ASCPL)
United Building (Tony Troppe, The Everett Group)
Cascade Plaza (City of Akron)
Civic Theatre (City of Akron)
Lock 3 O’Neill’s Building/City Garage (City of Akron)
Summit County/Ohio Building (Russ Pry and Summit County)
Everett Building (Tony Troppe, The Everett Group)
J.S. Knight Convention Center (City of Akron)
Aeros/Canal Park Stadium (City of Akron)
AMHA, Martin Lauer (Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority)
Summa ACH Campus (Summa)
AMHA, Cotter House (Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority)
AMHA-Cotter House garage (Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority)
Global Accelerator (City of Akron)
Clock Tower (City of Akron)

As of October 20th, we are reaching citizens with approximately 3 square miles of coverage. Typically hundreds of citizens are logging in each day.

Have there been any delays in the build-out of Connect Akron?

We have been working with First Energy since the beginning of the year to come to an agreement to ensure Connect Akron can hang access points on as many utility poles as possible, bringing Akron a robust network. Unfortunately, the negotiations have taken much longer than anticipated, delaying network deployment. We are very close to reaching agreement and publishing an adjusted timeline.

How often will the public be updated � and how?

We will provide updates on our website (www.connectakron.org) at least twice a month (1st and 15th) and continuously revise the project plan’s status showing coverage areas. We will ask the Downtown Akron Partnership to publish coverage updates in their monthly e-newsletter.

When will the wireless network be completed?

Between now and year’s end, we will have more than half of the coverage completed � with 6 miles of coverage available. The remaining deployment will be completed by the Spring of next year.

What types of applications are the City and the advisory board planning for the network upon launch?

The primary applications during the initial Connect Akron network deployment include public safety and community Internet access. The Connect Akron Advisory Board (which meets monthly) is and will be taking community requests, requirements and priorities and measuring their potential.

Whom do I contact with feedback or questions about the project?

For network questions, contact the Connect Akron help desk, supported by the University of Akron at 330-972-7677.

For questions specific to the Connect Akron project, contact OneCommunity at connectakron@onecommunity.orgor 330-761-2475.

Once the network is up, are there plans to expand it even further?

We have a design that will enable us to reach throughout the city, creating hotspots or hot zones in areas not covered by the original design that can be quickly deployed throughout the city. These deployments will be driven by community demand.

In the meantime OneCommunity is also acting on behalf of the City to attract additional funding from outside sources to help with the continued expansion of the network. Our objective is to build out the City through a series of grants and loans that would be contingent of providing commercial access to the network.

Logging In and Out

How do I sign up for service?

Once it has been activated the Connect Akron network will be offered free of charge. You simply need to indicate your age and agree to our terms & conditions before you are connected to the network. Use your laptop or other wireless device to connect to the network. Once connected, open a web browser and visit any Web site. You will be directed to a Web page where you can sign up for service.

What basic equipment do I need?

You will need the following items to connect to Connect Akron:

Computer or wireless networking device
802.11b or 802.11g wireless network card
Supported operating system
Current device driver for the wireless network card
Appropriate client (configuration) program
Supported Web browser

You will need a device such as a laptop or desktop computer equipped with an 802.11b or 802.11g compatible wireless network card. You will also need to install the appropriate wireless network card device drivers. Wireless network cards are also sometimes referred to as a "Wireless NIC" or "WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) Card". Most laptops purchased after 2004 come with one of these types of cards already installed as standard equipment. If your computer does not have such a device, you can purchase one from most stores that sell computers or computer components. See the Equipment section in this FAQ for information on operating systems, device drivers, and clients.

How do I configure my computer to access the OneCommunity network?

First, make sure you meet the basic equipment requirements. Open your client application and create an entry for the OneCommunity network. Each client will display the setup options in a slightly different fashion, but will generally ask for the same entries or input fields. You will need to configure the following options:

SSID: Your client application should be able to auto-detect any wireless networks in range of your wireless network card. The Connect Akron network SSID is displayed as ConnectAkronPublic.
Data Encryption: none
Authentication: open

The only option you will likely need to configure is the SSID.

How do I connect to Connect Akron?

Ensure you have the proper required equipment to connect to the network.
- Computer or wireless networking device
- 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network card* along with a current device driver
- Supported operating system (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
- Web browser
- Note: Laptops purchased after 2004 typically come with one of these types of cards already installed as standard equipment. If your computer does not have such a device, you can purchase one from most stores that sell computers or computer components.
Enable your wireless network card (often through an on/off switch on the laptop).
Open your wireless network console (often found at the bottom right in the quick launch bar).
Select “ConnectAkronPublic.” Some operating systems may connect automatically when they detect a wireless network in range.
Log in to the Connect Akron Wireless Network by opening a web browser and attempt to visit any Internet website. You will be redirected to the Connect Akron welcome page.
Once you see the Connect Akron welcome page you are connected to the network and able to use the network/Internet.

Service Area

Where can I connect to Connect Akron?: A coverage map detailing the Connect Akron service area can be found at www.connectakron.org. The best way to check if service is available where you are is to use your laptop or wireless device and attempt to connect to the network. If you are unable to associate/connect with the network, chances are that service is not available in your area yet.
Is service available inside my home or business?: Connect Akron is designed to provide outdoor wireless access. Similar to cordless telephones, the signal can be degraded by walls and other infrastructure. There are also differing levels of performance in the computers themselves. In order to provide better coverage inside your home, a high-performance modem that will capture Connect Akron for access in homes and businesses, is available for purchase.

Equipment

What is a wireless network card?

A wireless network card is a physical device typically attached to a computer. Like a cell phone, a wireless network card is a radio device capable of sending and receiving radio signals that are converted to and from various different types of information such as text, voice, or video. Without a wireless network card, a computer cannot communicate with a wireless network such as Connect Akron.

What type of wireless network card should I use?

If your computer does not have an integrated wireless network card (or if your integrated wireless network card does not work), you can purchase one. Any store that sells computers or computer accessories will typically sell wireless network cards.

Connect Akron does not recommend any one specific wireless network card or endorse any specific manufacturer. In general, look for a card that has been manufactured in the last year. Wireless networking technology is rapidly evolving, and newer cards will generally be better than older cards. Also, look for a card labeled as "Super G." These cards typically have better radios than their "B" and "G" counterparts.

How do I install a wireless network card?

There are a number of different types of wireless network cards. Some are integrated into the computer; some attach via USB (Universal Serial Bus) connections; others attach via a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slot. Which type of network card you have will determine how to install it. If you bought it from a store, follow the manufacturer's directions for installing the wireless network card in your computer.

Once the wireless network card is physically installed, you will also need to install device drivers so that your computer can properly communicate using the wireless network card.

What is a wireless network card device driver?

A device driver is a computer program (software) that allows your operating system (Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Unix, etc) to use a physical device. A wireless network card device driver allows your operating system to properly send and receive radio signals with the wireless network card, to properly send and receive from the correct wireless network (such as OneCommunity), to communicate with the wireless network on the correct channel, and so on.

When purchasing a wireless network card, it is important to ascertain that the device drivers will function properly for your operating system.

How do I install wireless network card drivers?

A wireless network card is bundled with the appropriate software. If your wireless network card is integrated, the software should have been included when you purchased your computer. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the installation of the device drivers. This typically involves installing software from a CD-ROM or other similar computer storage device.

How often should I update my wireless network card drivers?

Manufacturers of wireless network cards often release updated device drivers. These updated drivers generally fix problems found in previous driver versions or increase performance or expand support features. It is generally best to update device drivers as they become available. Device driver updates are generally found on the manufacturer's web site. For more help, contact the manufacturer of your wireless network card.

Which Web browsers are supported?

You will need a Web browser to successfully log in to Connect Akron. The following Web browsers are known to work correctly with the Connect Akron login servers:

Mozilla Firefox, version 1.0.3 and later
Safari, version 1.0 and later
Internet Explorer, version 5.5 and later
Netscape, version 7.1 and later
Konquerer, version 3.4 and later (with OpenSSL)
Opera, version 5 and later
others

For a browser to correctly work, it must support the current implementation/support of cookies, javascript, HTTP/1.1, SSL/TLS (HTTPS), tables, and forms.

Which operating systems can be used?

Connect Akron suggests one of the following operating systems:

Windows XP, any version
Macintosh OS-X version 10.3 or later
Linux

Other operating systems may be used if they can provide a necessary device driver for the wireless network card and if the manufacturer or the wireless network card can provide an adequate client application.

Does my wireless device need to be configured?

Yes. Your computer or other wireless device along with its wireless network card will need to be properly configured before use. Along with your physical wireless network card and wireless network card device drivers, you will also need to configure a wireless client.

What is a (wireless) "client?"

Sometimes simply called a "wireless network card configuration program", a client is a computer program that asks a wireless network to allow your network device to join the network. Each wireless network has different settings. Settings include things such as a name (SSID), encryption, speed, channel, and so forth. A client application will store the settings for each wireless network with which you communicate. That way, when you want to connect to a specific wireless network, you typically select the settings you've created from a list.

Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 2000 (with service Pack 4) come with a built-in client called the "Wireless Zero Configuration" service. You configure wireless networks from the Network Connections portion of the Control Panel.

For earlier versions of Windows, you will need to obtain a client application from the manufacturer of your wireless network card. Macintosh OS-X versions 10.3 and later come with a built-in client application as well. You configure wireless network settings from the Network panel of the system configuration menu. For earlier versions of the Macintosh OS, you will need to obtain a client application from the manufacturer of your wireless network card.

For Linux, you will need to install the appropriate client application. At the time of this writing there were two available open-source clients: X-Client and WPA-client. You could also check with the manufacturer of your wireless network card for the availability of a Linux-compatible client application.

Connection Strength and Speed

What is the minimum signal strength to get connected?

Typically signal strength of at least 40% is needed for your initial login. Once logged in, lower signal strength is often sufficient to retain a connection and effectively use the Internet.

Different wireless network cards may report different signal strengths from the same physical location. Computer-based signal meters only generally serve as a rough guide for troubleshooting.

How do I prevent my computer from flip-flopping between SSIDs?

Sometimes your laptop or wireless device will be able to "see" more than one SSID. If your client is not configured correctly, your wireless device may constantly flip-flop back and forth between two different SSIDs. By default, most wireless devices will attempt to connect to the SSID offering the best signal.

Can I get a stable connection using Connect Akron?

Certainly. Connect Akron includes access points in locations that maximize coverage and minimize disruptions in service. While fluctuations and interference in signal strength are normal, we designed the network to provide the most reliable service possible.

How fast is Connect Akron?

Under perfect conditions, Connect Akron can operate at speeds up to roughly 18 times faster than a 56k dial-up connection. The entire network has been engineered with speed and throughput as a high priority. Your top speed will vary based on the number of other users with whom you are sharing the network, interference issues, and a number of other variables.

Can I get a static IP for my account?

Unfortunately, static IPs are not available at this time. Connect Akron may offer business-class accounts in the future that will offer static IP addresses.

Does the Connect Akron network support VPNs?

Yes. If your company or another organization provides a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server, you can connect to it using Connect Akron.

I'm only getting 50 KB per second speed. Why is this slower than my 56k dial-up?

Actually, you are getting almost 8 times the speed of your dialup. This is a common misconception with how dialup bandwidth speeds are reported. On the Internet, or any network, bandwidth is reported as Kb (kilobits - note the small "b"). However, in almost all operating systems (all Microsoft Windows included), bandwidth and storage are reported as KB (kilobytes - note the capital "B"). The difference being that there are 8 bits in one byte (like there are 12 in a dozen). For example, a 56Kb/second (bits) dialup modem will have a maximum download speed of about 4KB/second (bytes) per second. Why? Because FCC limits the speed at which dialup can connect to 53Kb/second (bits), which gives a maximum transfer rate of 6.6KB/second (bytes). Plus when you take in to account noise on your phone line, you're lucky to get about 5KB/second (bytes) per second speeds.

What do I do if I have a slow connection?

First, keep in mind that a reported speed may not be what it appears to be. There are many possible reasons for a slow connection. Some of the most common include:

Internet Traffic
Number of other users on the network
Radio Interference
Weak Signal

When visiting a Web site or using another Internet resource, your communications often travel through many different networks as it traverses the Internet. The Internet is made up of loosely connected groups of individual networks. Communication between these networks is not always fast, especially during times where many users are using the network at the same time.

On a wireless network such as the Connect Akron network, there are often several users sharing the same access point. The more users, the less time the equipment can dedicate to each individual user. As such, you'll notice better speeds at certain times of the day, with slower speeds during periods of peak usage.

There are many sources of radio interference which weaken your wireless network card's ability to communicate effectively with Connect Akron. Eliminating the interference can often boost speeds considerably.

Aside from interference, being too far away from an access point or having an older, weaker antenna or wireless network card often results in a weak signal; the weaker the signal, the slower the connection. Try changing your physical location or consider upgrading your wireless network card and/or antenna.

Does low signal strength mean that I am connecting at a slower connection rate?

No. Low signal strength does not always mean slower connect speed. If you are able to connect at a reasonable speed, the signal strength is irrelevant.

What do I do if I lose my connection?

Generally, you will lose your signal if you move too far from an access point or if you encounter some sort of interference. The first thing to try is to move back to the physical location of your initial login. If this does not work, check your wireless network card for a link light (it should be on), or if your wireless network card is internal or does not have a light, see if your client application displays a signal strength for Connect Akron. No link light or no signal may mean that you need to reconnect or that you are experiencing some sort of interference.

Wireless Networks

What are the benefits of Wi-Fi?

Simply put, Wi-Fi allows you to extend your communications to places wires cannot or do not reach. You can work from the office, home, the park, the subway, coffee shops, the bus, and anywhere covered by the Wi-Fi network. City workers, such as emergency responders, have access to critical information at all times and all places, allowing them to perform their tasks more efficiently and in a safer fashion. For example, firemen can access building floor plans while en route to a fire. Emergency medical technicians can send patient data in real time to the hospital prior to the patient's arrival. Average users gain new heights of convenience and mobility. Send flowers to a loved one while waiting for a haircut. Instant message a friend from the supermarket to inquire about ingredients for a new recipe. Anything you do online, now do online, on the road.

How does Wi-Fi work?

A Wi-Fi network typically consists of access points connected to the wired portion of the Internet and clients using computers (or computer devices such as VoIP phones) with wireless network cards. Instead of connecting the computer to the access point with a physical cable, they are connected with radio waves. When a user composes an e-mail and sends it, the wireless network card in the user's computer changes the e-mail data into radio waves and transmits those radio waves to an access point. The access point reverses the process by, changing the radio waves back into e-mail data and sending the e-mail on its way across the wired portion of the Internet.

The access point and wireless network cards speak the same "language" and know what radio "channel" on which to communicate by adhering to adopted Wi-Fi standards such as 802.11b and 802.11g.

FAQ Glossary

802.11b

802.11b is a name/designation for an engineering standard that forms a framework for wireless networking. This was the first widely adopted standard supported by computer equipment manufacturers and continues to be a popular option. Capable of speeds up to 11 megabits per second (mbps), at full speed it is 196 times faster than a 56kbps (kilobits per second) modem.

802.11g

802.11g is a name/designation for an engineering standard that forms a framework for wireless networking. This was the second widely adopted standard supported by computer equipment manufacturers and continues to be a popular option. Capable of speeds up to 54 megabits per second (mbps), at full speed it is 5 times faster than 802.11g wireless networking, and roughly 18F times faster than a 56kbps (kilobits per second) modem.

Access point

Like a wireless network card, an access point is a radio device that is capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Access points form the "infrastructure" of a wireless computer network. When using Connect Akron, you will use the wireless network card in your computer to communicate with an access point, which will then pass your communications on to the wired portion of the network and ultimately on to the Internet and back.

Associated/Association

When you "associate" with a wireless network, you establish a connection between the radio device in an access point and the radio device in your wireless network card. When associated, your wireless network card can communicate with the access point. This may or may not allow you to access the wireless network to which the access point belongs. Many wireless networks, including the Connect Akron, require a login to access the rest of the network.

Evil Twin Attack

When a "hacker" sets up an access point, configures the access point to look like a Connect Akron access point and attempts to fool people into connecting to the hacker's access point instead of a Connect Akron access point, this is called an "evil twin" attack. Hackers may do this in an attempt to gather valid usernames and passwords as well as other potentially sensitive information. Because wireless network cards will generally communicate with the closest access point or the access point with the best signal, your wireless network card may choose to communicate with one of these "evil twin" access points setup by a hacker trying to steal your data.

To avoid such an attack:

Check your login page. Beware anything that looks unusual.
The address of the login page should always start with "https://phc.prontonetworks.com"
You should not be prompted to accept a certificate. We use Verisign certificates registered. These certificates are automatically recognized as a being from a trusted root certificate authority by most web browsers.
Contact us if you have any doubts or questions.

Gain (dBi Gain)

As pertaining to radio devices, gain generally refers to signal strength, measured in decibels (dB). The higher the gain, the "stronger" the radio device.

MAC Address

MAC stands for Media Access Control. All network card, including wireless network cards, are programmed with a unique address called a MAC address. This ideally allows each device connected to a network to be uniquely identified.

NIC / Wireless NIC

NIC stands for "network interface card". A wireless NIC is a radio device that transmits and receives data from a wireless network.

(Radio) Interference

There are many sources of interference that can result in poor or even no service. Common culprits include:

Physical obstructions, such as walls, pillars, stanchions, etc.
2.4gHz cordless home phones
Microwave ovens
High tension wires or other strong sources of electricity such as large refrigeration units
Other radio devices operating in the 2.4gHz range

Wireless network connection speeds can be increased by eliminating sources of interference. Moving closer to an access point can also reduce the effect of interference while moving further from an access point can increase the effect of interference.

SSID

SSID stands for "Service Set identifier". This is typically the identity or name of a wireless network. It serves as the primary method of differentiating one wireless network from another.

WiFi

WiFi stands for wireless fidelity. In general, it is an umbrella term applied to wireless computer networking via the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802 engineering standards. (See 802.11b).

Newsletter Registration

Featured Media

The local arts & cultural experience in Akron is of World Wide interest. The fiber and wireless corridor will allow the walls of location to come down.

Watch