User guide

Connecting to a Network  31
Chapter 4: Managing Network Adapters
Configuring Multiple Simultaneous Network Connections
Each adapter on your computer can connect to a different network. This means
that if you have one wired and one or more wireless adapters, you can maintain
simultaneous network connections. With both connection types configured, you
can use a wired connection when you are at your desk and then unplug your wired
connection and take your laptop to other locations in the building using a wireless
connection as long as you have wireless access.
Your administrator might recommend that you enable wireless suppression, which
defaults to a wired connection whenever you have one. The purpose of wireless
suppression is to conserve wireless bandwidth for users who do not have access to
a wired connection. See “Enabling Session Resumption” on page 18.
Use the Adapter list on the Connection
dialog to switch between the adapters that
you configured for multiple network connections and monitor the status of your
network connections.
Disconnecting from a Network
Disconnecting from a network terminates the network connection between the
adapter that you selected and the network to which you are currently connected
with OAC. The adapter remains part of the OAC configuration unless you remove it
from the list of configured adapters. Thus, you can use the same adapter to connect
to a network later.
To disconnect from the current wireless network:
1. Select the adapter from the Adapters folder that you want to disconnect from
the network.
2. Clear the Connect to the network check box.
When you disable the connection to the network, the adapter icon changes to gray.
Scanning for Wireless Networks
If you travel frequently, you might want to authenticate through locally available
wireless networks that you have not configured already.
To connect to a wireless network that is not configured:
1. Click Scan on the Connection dialog.
OAC surveys the local air waves and displays a list of all wireless networks that
are currently reachable.
2. Select the network from the scan list.
3. Select OK.