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Connecting your laptop to the network in the University of Waterloo Libraries.

  Current University of Waterloo students, staff and faculty can connect their laptops to the Internet via either wire (in Davis, Porter and Map libraries) or wireless (in Davis, Porter, Map, Musagetes Architecture, Pharmacy Libraries and Witer Learning Resource Centre (Optometry)) connections. There is no charge for this access.

Access locations within the library

Guest or visitor access to the wireless network. (now possible)

  You can now send print jobs from your laptop to printers in either Davis or Porter. Instructions for setting it up. Costs are the same as printing from a library computer.

Preliminary Connection Requirements - You will need:

  1. Your WatIAM (Quest or formerly UWDir) userid and password
  2. Laptop with Ethernet Card or wireless Ethernet card.
  3. An RJ45 UTP network cable if you are not using a wireless Ethernet card (Cables may be borrowed from the circulation desks or purchased at the CHIP, MC1052, and the CampusTechshop, SLC lower level).

General Connection Procedures:

  1. Open a browser - Firefox, Internet Explorer or Netscape. It should automatically go to the login page. If this does not happen go to <http://laptop.uwaterloo.ca>
  2. The login page is labelled UW Network Authentication.
    Enter your WatIAM/Quest Userid and Password;
    then click on the Connect button.
  3. Once you've authenticated yourself, you will be connected to the UW network and be able to browse the web, read e-mail, etc.
  4. To disconnect,
    If you have pop-up’s disabled, the logout page will not appear and you will need to manually go to the logout page (which you will want to bookmark). Bookmarked site will appear as Aruba User and the logout page will appear as follows:

    ARUBA User

    For the users that either allow all pop-ups, or have added the new login page to the exceptions list within their pop-up blocker, they will have a small logout page that appears on the bottom right-hand side of the page. To log off of the wireless you would simply have to click on the “Click to Logout” link.

    Disconnecting is important as it frees up access for others.

Some initial trouble-shooting:

  1. Some setup and troubleshooting pages are at:

  2. If the ethernet plug is connected and you do not get the network authentication login screen there may be something wrong with the network settings for your ethernet card - re-check the settings.
  3. You have passed the network authentication screen but:
    Can't log in? Have you set up your WatIAM account?
    Have the temporary IP but still cannot get in? Use start -> run -> winipcfg
    then click on release, then renew.
  4. There are a couple of authentication servers on campus. If you have shut down without logging out you may have trouble logging in elsewhere on campus; always log out when you are done.
  5. Please be patient; some procedures can take up to two minutes.
  6. Your connection may be lost due to inactivity; you will need to log in again.
  7. Need more help? Go to CHIP, MC1052, Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm.

If you are having difficulty, help is available at the
CHIP, MC-1052 - Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm

Problems with wireless connections may be taken to CHIP or
the Engineering Computer User Support Centre - E2-1308

Problems with connectivity in the Map Library may be taken to the
Environmental Studies Computing Helpdesk - ES2-163A.

Additional Help

Contact Technical Support


Librarian, Information Services and Resources, Davis
Web Operational Management Group, Library
Last Updated: December 14, 2011