How to Connect to UAB s Wireless Networks

(1)

Page | 1 Contact AskIT • 205-996-5555 • askit@uab.edu • www.uab.edu/askit

How to Connect to UAB’s Wireless Networks

Sections: Page:

Checking Windows XP for Service Pack 3 3 Configuring Windows XP SP3 to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part I 5 Configuring Windows Vista to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part I 12 Configuring Windows 7 to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part 1 21 Configuring Mac OS X to Connect to uabwifi-nac 32

University of Alabama at Birmingham Information Technology (UAB IT) provides a wireless network in support of the academic, research, and administrative work of the UAB community. This wireless network serves classrooms, common areas, green spaces, and many other popular areas around campus. The available wireless networks are “ uabwifi-nac” and “uabwifi”.

The SSID “uabwifi-nac” provides a more secure and seamless wireless environment for all UAB wireless network users. uabwifi-nac is the recommended wireless network for all wireless users and will be the only wireless network available to students starting in Fall Semester of 2010.

The SSID “uabwifi” is UAB’s legacy wireless environment. This wireless environment utilizes captive portal technology, more commonly known as a Login page, along with a manually configured, encryption key to support older devices. To connect to uabwifi, choose it from your list of available networks and enter the WEP key, available at www.uab.edu/wireless. After connecting, open a browser window and enter your BlazerID and password when prompted.

Connecting to uabwifi-nac

• System Requirements

1. The operating system must either be Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, or MAC OSX.

2. The wireless adapter must be able to support WPA2 AES encryption.

3. The laptop must be up to date on operating system patches and antivirus software.

• Antivirus Requirements:

Beginning with the Fall 2009 semester, in order to connect to ResNET or uabwifi-nac, students’ machines will need to have one of the following antivirus applications with up-to-date definitions (see below for information on how to download antivirus software provided by UAB):

1. Microsoft Forefront 2. McAfee

3. Norton (Symantec) 4. AVG

Mac users: Antivirus software is not required to connect to uabwifi-nac.

UAB Provided Antivirus Solutions

(2)

To download Microsoft Forefront for Windows or Sophos for Mac at no additional charge, please visit our Software Download Site at www.uab.edu/it/software (you will need to log in with your BlazerID and strong password). You may also choose to schedule an appointment with UAB IT’s Help Desk, AskIT, for assistance in meeting this requirement. To make an appointment, please call AskIT at 205-996-5555.

(3)

Checking Windows XP for Service Pack 3 (SP3)

Before proceeding attempting to connect to uabwifi-nac, please follow these steps to determine whether the machine has been updated with Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3):

1. Left-click on the “Start” button.

2. From the Start menu, right-click on “My Computer” and choose “Properties” from the drop- down menu that appears.

(4)

3. Review the system specifications in the “System Properties” box. The service pack level is displayed under the operating system information, as shown below.

• If you already have have Service Pack 3 installed: Please proceed to the steps on page 4, under

“Configuring Windows XP SP3 to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part I.”

•

If you do not have Service Pack 3 installed: you will need to install it before proceeding with the steps to connect to uabwifi-nac. Students in residence halls can do this by connecting to ResNET via the Ethernet port in their dorm room. Otherwise, if you are unable to connect to the Internet to download and install Service Pack 3, you may contact AskIT at 205-996-5555 to set up an appointment. The technician at your appointment will provide the installation file (typically by copying it onto your Desktop) and advise you that your computer’s power adapter must be plugged into an outlet in order to install Service Pack 3.

(5)

Configuring Windows XP SP3 to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part I

Step 1a. Configure Your Wireless Client in Windows XP. The following instructions are based on the Microsoft Windows Wireless Zero Configuration service-the wireless client that is provided by the Windows operating system. During this configuration process, you will determine if your system

supports the WPA2 (IEEE 8 02.11i) WiFi standards that are required for use of the uabwifi-nac network.

1. Click on the Start menu, select "Connect To" and choose "Show all connections."

2. Right-click on “Wireless Network Connection” and choose “Properties.”

(6)

3. In the "Wireless Network Connection Properties" window, click on the "Wireless Networks" tab at the top. Make sure that the box next to "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" is checked (as shown below).

Note: if you do not see the “Wireless Networks” tab you may need to disable the proprietary wireless network management application on your laptop (the steps for doing this will be different for each model; for assistance please call AskIT at 205-996-5555).

4. Next, in the "Preferred networks" panel, click the "Add" button.

(7)

5. In the “Wireless network properties” window, enter “uabwifi-nac” (all lower case) in the

“Network name (SSID)” field. Choose “WPA2” from the “Network Authentication” drop-down list and "AES" will automatically populate the "Data encryption" field (as shown below).

Note: If “WPA2” is not included in the “Network Authentication” drop-down list, this indicates either that the driver for your wireless adapter needs to be updated, or that the wireless adapter may not be WPA2 compatible. For assistance with updating the driver for your wireless adapter, please contact AskIT at 205-996-5555.

6. Click on the "Authentication" tab.

(8)

7. Choose "Protected EAP (PEAP)" from the "EAP type" drop-down list (as shown below).

8. Make sure that the boxes beside “Authenticate as computer when computer information is available” and “Authenticate as guest when user or computer information is unavailable” are NOT checked (as shown below).

9. Click on the “Properties” button under “EAP type.”

(9)

10. In the "Protected EAP Properties" window, make sure that "Validate server certificate" is selected (as shown below).

11. In the list of "Trusted Root Certification Authorities,” scroll down and check the box next to

"Equifax Secure Certificate Authority" (as shown below). If "Equifax Secure Certificate Authority" is not available, do not check any of the "Trusted Root Certification Authorities”

options.

12. Choose "Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)" from the "Select Authentication Method" drop- down list.

13. Check the box next to "Enable Fast Reconnect" to enable it.

14. Click on the “Configure” button next to “Select Authentication Method.”

(10)

15. In the "EAP MSCHAPv2 Properties" window, uncheck "Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any),” then click “OK.”

16. Click “OK” in the "Protected EAP Properties," "Wireless network properties" and "Wireless Network Connection Properties" windows to close them.

17. A balloon will pop up from your task bar indicating "Wireless Network Connection: Click here to select a certificate or other credentials for connection to the network uabwifi-nac." Click on the balloon.

(11)

18. Enter your BlazerID and strong password in the “User name” and “Password” fields, leave the

“Logon domain” field blank, and then click “OK.”

Note: If "Equifax Secure Certificate Authority" was unavailable for selection in Step 11, at this point a balloon will pop up from your task bar indicating "Wireless Network Connection: Click here to select a certificate or other credentials for connection to the network uabwifi-nac."

Click on the balloon and accept the certificate.

19. A balloon will pop up indicating that you are now connected to uabwifi-nac. Please proceed to page 20 for the “Windows Operating Systems: Authenticate on uabwifi-nac: Part 2” section.

(12)

Configuring Windows Vista to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part I

1. Click on the “Start” button and choose “Connect To.”

2. Click on “Set up a connection or network.”

(13)

3. Choose “Manually connect to a wireless network” and click “Next.”

Note: If you are asked to "Choose a wireless adapter," select "Wireless Network Connection"

and click "Next."

(14)

4. In the “Manually connect to a wireless network” window, fill in “uabwifi-nac” for the “Network name,” “WPA2-Enterprise” for the “Security type,” and “AES” for the “Encryption type,” as shown below. Leave “Start this connection automatically” checked (or check it if it is unchecked), then click “Next.”

(15)

5. Click “Change connection settings” in the next “Manually connect to a wireless network”

window.

(16)

6. On the “Connection” tab, leave “Connect automatically when this network is in range”

checked, then click to uncheck “Connect to a more preferred network if available,” as shown below. Click on the “Security” tab.

(17)

7. Click on the “Settings” button next to “Microsoft: Protected EAP (PEAP).”

(18)

8. In the “Protected EAP Properties” window, place a check next to “Validate server certificate.”

9. Under “Trusted Root Certification Authorities,” scroll down and place a check next to “Equifax Secure Certificate Authority.”

10. Under "Select Authentication Method," select "Secured Password (EPA-MSCHAP v2).”

11. Click the "Configure" button next to "Secured Password (EPA-MSCHAP v2).”

12. Uncheck the option to "Automatically use my Windows logon name password (and domain if any)." Click “OK.”

(19)

13. Click “OK” to close the “Protected EAP Properties” and “uabwifi-nac Wireless Network properties,” then click “Close” in the “Manually connect to a wireless network” window.

14. A balloon will appear near the system tray that reads, "Additional information is required to connect to uabwifi-nac." Click on the balloon.

15. A window will open prompting you to “Enter Credentials.” Enter your BlazerID and strong password in the “User name” and “Password” fields, leave the “Logon domain” field blank, and then click “OK.”

16. You will see the status of establishing your connection to uabwifi-nac.

(20)

17. Another balloon will pop up indicating that you are connected to uabwifi-nac.

18. You will be prompted to “Set Network Location.” Choose “Public Location” and you have completed the steps to connect to uabwifi-nac on your Windows Vista computer. Please

proceed to page 20 for the “Windows Operating Systems: Authenticate on uabwifi-nac: Part 2”

section.

(21)

Configuring Windows 7 to Connect to uabwifi-nac: Part I

1. Right click the network connection icon in the task bar. Click on the “Open Network and

Sharing Center”

2. Select the “Set up a new connection or network”.

(22)

3. Now select “Manually connect to a wireless network”. Click Next to continue.

4. You will now enter the following settings:

• Network Name: uabwifi-nac

• Security Type: From the dropdown select “WPA2-Enterprise”

• Encryption type should be set to AES

(23)

5. Click Next on the previous screen and you will see the network successfully added

message. Click on the “Change connection settings” option.

6. In this window select the Security tab. Click on the “Settings” button.

(24)

7. In this window make sure that “Validate server certificate” and “Equifax Secure

Certificate Authority” are selected. For “Select Authentication Method” make sure

“Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2) is selected and then click on the “Configure”

button.

8. Ensure that the “Automatically use my Windows logon…” is not selected.

(25)

9. Click “OK” on each window to complete the process. If you are now in an area that has

access to the wireless network you should be prompted for your Blazer ID and

password.

10.This completes the setup for Windows 7 and you should now be connected to the network.

Please proceed to “Windows Operating Systems: Authenticate on uabwifi-nac: Part 2” to

complete the registration process.

(26)

Windows Operating Systems: Authenticate on uabwifi-nac: Part 2

1. Open a new browser window and you will be redirected to a page displaying “WELCOME TO THE UAB NETWORK.” Click “Start.”

(27)

2. Fill in all of the fields with the requested information, then click “Download.”

3. On the next page, “Click here to download the Client Security Agent.”

4. Click “Run.”

(28)

5. Click “Run” again.

6. Click “Next.”

(29)

7. Click “Finish.”

(30)

8. Enter your BlazerID and password and click “Login.”

9. You may see a green bar indicating the progress of the scanning process.

(31)

10. You will receive a message indicating that “You have successfully registered.” Close any open browser windows, wait a moment and then open a new browser window to access the Internet via the uabwifi-nac network.

(32)

Configuring Mac OS X to Connect to uabwifi-nac

1. Click on the AirPort icon in the menu bar and choose “Turn AirPort On,” then click on the AirPort icon again and choose “Open Network Preferences…”

2. Click on the “Advanced…” button.

(33)

3. Under “AirPort,” click on the plus sign to add a new network.

4. Enter “uabwifi-nac” in the “Network Name” field, “WPA2 Enterprise” in the “Security” field, and your BlazerID and strong password in the “User name” and “Password” fields. Set the “802.1X”

field to “Automatic,” and click “Add.”

(34)

5. Click “OK.”

6. Click “Apply,” then close the “Network” window.

(35)

7. Click on the AirPort icon and choose “uabwifi-nac.”

8. A prompt to “Verify Certificate” will open. Click “Show Certificate.”

(36)

9. Click “Always trust “rad1.dpo.uab.edu” and then click “Continue.”

(37)

10. You will be prompted for your Mac OS X system credentials.

11. Open a browser window and you will be redirected to a page displaying “WELCOME TO THE UAB NETWORK.” Click “Start.”

(38)

12. Fill in all of the fields with the requested information, then click “Download.”

(39)

13. In the “Opening CSA.zip” window, choose “Save File” and click “OK.”

14. Double-click on the file to open it, then click “Open.”

(40)

15. You will be redirected to a page indicating “AUTHENTICATION SUCCESSFUL.” Please close the browser and wait a moment, then open a new browser to access the Internet via the uabwifi- nac network.