Wireless PC Card:
- The student notebook computers that are identified as models
 HP Compaq nx9008 (WCVCS001 through WCVCS080) and HP Compaq nx9020 (WCVCS081 through WCVCS150) are pre-configured to accept the LinkSys Model WPC54G PC card.
- This card can be purchased at local computer supply stores, generally for less than $75. The card comes with a software installation disk that is labelled: "Run CD First before connecting the Device to your PC."
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL THIS SOFTWARE, as the drivers are already installed and configured on the computer.
- When the LinkSys WPC54G PC Card is plugged into the computer, it will automatically look for a wireless broadband router with a default SSID of "linksys" (see below for more information on this). It should also find most public "hot spots" compatible with 802.11g wireless networking protocols.
Wireless Broadband Router:
- All WCVCS student notebook computers that are equipped with a LinkSys Model WPC54G PC card are pre-configured to look for a LinkSys WRT54G Wireless-G Broadband Router
 that is set to the default "out-of-the-box" settings.
- The router comes with a software installation disk that is labelled: "Run CD First before connecting cables"
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RUN THIS SOFTWARE. The default settings on the router will work fine in most cases. If you change the default settings, you run the risk that the student notebook will not be able to find or use the router.
- There have been reports that some Internet Service Providers (ISP's) have assigned IP address configurations that can cause a conflict with the default LinkSys WRT54G settings. These situations did not involve the larger local providers (Zoomtown, RoadRunner, etc.), but may occur with other ISP's. If this should happen, you may need to run the LinkSys WRT54G software from a second machine (NOT the student notebook) under guidance or assistance from your ISP service department in order to resolve the conflict.
If you find yourself in this position, it is important to keep the following setpoints at the default settings:
- On the "Basic Wireless Settings" page under the Wireless tab, keep the Wireless Network Name (SSID) set to: linksys
- On the "Wireless Security" page under the Wireless tab, keep the Security Mode set to: disabled
Important Security Notice:
Most home users run the LinkSys WRT54G Wireless-G Broadband Router in the default "out-of-the-box" configuration described above. This is one of the reasons that the student computers are pre-configured to look for this configuration. It should be noted, however, that this configuration is not considered the safest configuration to ward off hackers and unwanted bandwidth free-loaders. Unfortunately, adding tough security measures to the default configuration presents endless configuration possibilities that can not be anticipated and pre-configured into the student notebook computers.
The student and parents or legal guardians must realize and accept responsibility for this situation as part of their decision to use the optional wireless technology in conjunction with participating in this program using student notebook computers on loan from Warren County Virtual Community School. Students who elect to use their own computers can avoid this situation by configuring wireless technology according to their own security needs.
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