Wireless Upgrade — No VPN Required
Fall 2006
Still using VPN for wireless on campus? With the upgraded wireless network, you might not need to. This summer, NUIT implemented new wireless network standards, so users accessing these connections no longer need to use VPN.
You might have noticed there are more and more places to get wireless access on campus than ever before, as NUIT is continually working with schools and departments to identify new wireless locations. In fact, more than 600 access locations are available on the Chicago and Evanston campuses; 300 of them can be accessed by the NU community, and 300 of them are designated for school, classroom or administrative-specific uses.
If you are looking for wireless access, just find a"NU Wireless Zone" sign or view the campus maps and building lists on the NUIT Web site.
All these access points now support a more secure standard, called Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) and 802.1X. With stronger data security, the standards prevent wireless devices from connecting to the Northwestern network unless the user has authenticated with a valid NetID and password.
The upgraded network has a new Service Set Identifier (SSID), Northwestern.
To connect, your computer or mobile device may need to use a different configuration than before. Setup instructions are available on the NUIT Web site.
In addition, your mobile device, computer, or wireless adapter must be compliant with the new standards. Unfortunately, not all computers, even recently purchased ones, support the WPA2 standard and some may require updated wireless card drivers. Check the NUIT Web site for instructions on configuring for 802.1X/WPA2. If you are unable to connect, contact your vendor to determine your computer's wireless compatibility.
Users who cannot connect to the new Northwestern network can still use the VPN-accessible wireless network on campus, nuwlan.
If you have questions, please contact the NUIT Support Center at 847-491-HELP (4357) or e-mail consultant@northwestern.edu.
