Description:
OIT currently maintains a secure wireless network on campus for students, guests, faculty and staff to use. This network will in no way eliminate the security risks associated with connecting your computer to the Internet but they will seriously reduce the number of potential attacks available to hackers with physical proximity to your computer while on campus. Additionally, using this system will embed your Odin login into your computer or handheld, alleviating the need to login to the Cisco Web Authentication site each time you connect to the network.
It is for these security and ease-of-use reasons that we now recommend all users to begin connecting to this network if their equipment supports this authentication method. This article provides basic information about these networks and links to directions on how to configure Apple Mac OS X, Windows XP and Vista computers as well as iPhones and iPod Touches. As we discover and document more devices that are compatible with these new wireless options, we will be adding them here; check back occasionally if your device is not currently listed.
Requirements:
Click on the appropriate operating system or device that you are trying to configure for directions. Only the operating systems and devices listed have been tested and are supported by OIT:
Apple:
Microsoft:
Steps:
- Click on a link above to open the appropriate directions if you already know which device or OS you have.
- If your device is not listed, we currently do not offer directions for configuring your device. You can attempt to login to the system, but OIT will not provide support for devices not listed on the preceding list. Check back regularly to see if we have added your device to our supported devices list.
- If you are unsure of your operating system version, following these directions:
Apple Mac OS X:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of your screen and choose About this Mac.
- Locate the Version listed in the window that comes up. This network is not compatible with anything before 10.4, when Apple added 802.1x support.
Microsoft Windows:
- If you are using Windows XP, then there should be a very large button with the word "Start" in it. If you are using Vista, the Start button is a very large circular button with just the Windows logo on it (see screenshots below).
Windows XP (Classic)
Windows XP (Normal)
Windows Vista
- An alternative to looking at the icon of the Start button is to click the Start button, then Run and type "winver" and press Enter. This will display an About Windows view. Windows XP is version 5.x of Windows and Windows Vista is version 6.x. The graphic at the top of these Windows will tell you the variety you have (i.e. XP Professional or Home; Vista Home, Premium, Business, etc).
Additional Information:
- OIT is currently in the process of consolidating the wireless networks on campus into two SSID's. See this article for more details on these changes.
- The "PSU Secure" network uses 802.1x-based authentication and encryption techniques. Specifically, this network authenticates using PEAP and encrypts your communications using WPA2 Enterprise(by default). Using this network secures data sent "over-the-air" so that people in your same vicinity can not avesdrop on your communications. This DOES NOT protect you from malicious websites you may visit, virus infections, or direct attacks against your computer, it makes it difficult to "read" what you are sending and receiving by other wireless users in your immediate physical location. Once your communication "hits-the-wire" and goes out on the Internet, it is no longer encrypted. One of the biggest advantages of this network is the reduction of potential attack "vectors" a hacker can use to compromise your computer.
Further Assistance:
If you have any problems with this we highly recommend that you bring the device to the Help Desk in Smith Memorial Student Union room 18 so that a technician can do hands-on troubleshooting with the PSU wireless networks available and the device in front of them. You can also call the Help Desk at 503.725.HELP or email help@pdx.edu for answers to general questions about the network, its operation, or its use.
