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Connecting to UHWireless

UH provides a wireless network for the use of UH students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Here are some instructions, information, and resources to help you use the UHWireless network.

The following topics are covered on this page:

Getting Started

To connect to the UHWireless network, you will need the following:

  • Laptop computer or other mobile computing device
  • Wireless network interface card (NIC), internal or external
  • CougarNet computer account
  • Access to the UHWireless network (see Campus Wireless Map)

Logging In

UHWireless requires authentication through login using either a CougarNet account or the UHGuest account.

Logging in using your CougarNet account username and password gives you access to web pages (both regular (http://) and secure (https://)) and other network resources (such as CougarNet home directories and shared network drives).

Logging in using the UHGuest account (username UHGuest, password UHGuest (case-sensitive)) provides access to only two types of web pages (regular (http://) and secure (https://)).

Connecting to UHWireless

There are two ways to connect to the UHWireless network:
  1. Web browser login
  2. VPN software login

Web Browser Login

To see the list of supported web browsers, go to Supported Web Browsers.

  1. Select UHWireless as the Network Name or SSID.
    If you are asked to accept a security certificate or two, click the Yes or Accept button to accept the certificate.
  2. Launch a web browser or open a new web browser window.
  3. Login using your CougarNet account username and password (or the UHGuest account).

Launching a web browser should take you to the UHWireless login page. This is regardless of the web address you entered or the web page your browser usually opens to. The address may look something like this: https://172.nn.nn.nn

Login with your CougarNet account username and password. If you don't have a CougarNet account, you can use the UHGuest account (username UHGuest, password UHGuest (case-sensitive)). After a successful login, the web address you entered or the web page your browser usually opens to will open. A window will also open telling you that you logged in.

VPN Software Login

If VPN software is already installed on the computer you are using, you can run the VPN software and connect using your CougarNet userid and password.

  1. Launch the VPN software. The main VPN Client window will appear.
  2. Click the Connect icon, and the login window will appear.
  3. To log in using VPN, enter your CougarNet username in the Username field, enter your CougarNet password in the Password field, and click the OK button.
    NOTE: The CougarNet password is case-sensitive.

NOTE: If you do not have a CougarNet account, contact the Information Technology Support Center at 713-743-1411, send email to support@uh.edu , or visit the IT Support Center in Room 116 Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall (PGH) for assistance.

Connecting to the Internet

While a wireless card will allow access to the University of Houston network, for security reasons, customers must download and install separate security software to connect to the Internet. The university provides site-licensed Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco VPN 3000 software for customers to connect securely with the UH network. The SSID for the UH VPN network is UHWireless. You can also put the word Any in the SSID field, and it will search for any wireless network in the area. This is the preferred SSID for those who access wireless networks in addition to the UH network.

Visit the Virtual Private Network page for more information.

A virtual private network, or VPN, will also secure the broadcasts of a wireless device from possible eavesdropping by other wireless devices in the same area, increasing the privacy of the wireless customer.

Getting Help

For more information about using UHWireless, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Contact Us

Call Us: 713-743-1411
Fax Us: 713-743-1109
Email Us: custserv@central.uh.edu
Mail Code: CTS 1010,
Attn: Network Operations
Internet: Work Order Request
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm