Accessing the Service
Required Computer Hardware
All the computer hardware you need to access the service is a wireless (WiFi, 802.11b or wLAN) enabled laptop, PDA or phone. If you use a wLAN in your office or home, your existing hardware will enable you to access the service. Most new laptops and PDA's are now manufactured with internal WiFi cards/chips such as Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology. If your device is not already wireless enabled, you can simply insert an external WiFi network card into this device (see diagram below) – these external wireless networking can be purchased for under $100 from all major computer outlets.
If you do not have a wireless card, one can be purchased from any computer retailer/vendor.
Log-in Process
1. Ensure you are in an Azure Hotspot
2. Switch on your WiFi-enabled device – you need either in-built wireless compatibility, such as Intel® Centrino™ mobile technology, or just insert an external wireless networking card into your device
3. If your notebook is operating Windows XP or MAC OS, you should be automatically prompted to connect to the Hotspot – skip to step 5. If not, follow step 4 below
4. Use the management software that operates your WiFi card/chip to configure your device to connect to the Azure network
a. Open this software by clicking on the relevant icon that appears in your Toolbar/system tray (usually at the bottom right of your screen)
b. Set the Network Name / SSID to “Azure”
c. Ensure that WEP/data encryption is switched off (you can still establish a secure connection to your corporate network, see here for Security Details ).
d. Click ‘OK’ to confirm these settings
5. Open your web browser and open any valid web page. Within 20 seconds you will be automatically connected to the Login Screen. Follow the onscreen login process to select your preferred billing option (through your ISP, via credit card or by using a pre-paid card) and complete the login process
6. If you want to establish a secure network connection, open your VPN software
7. To finish a session, first disconnect your VPN (if relevant) and then click the logout button that was displayed when you first logged in (we recommend you bookmark the initial page after login).
Before attempting to login at a Wireless Hotspot, we recommend that you download a copy of Azure’s detailed Access Instructions to guide you through this process in more detail.