How to connect to the Chemistry Wireless Network

802.1x Instructions for MacOS X (10.3+)

This 802.1x configuration replaces the Cisco VPN client. After you have successfully configured your machine to use 802.1x, it is unnecessary to use the VPN client to connect to the Chemistry wireless network.

Please Note: These instructions require MacOS 10.3 (Panther) or higher and a Airport network card! Apples 802.1x client will only work with Airport Cards

You will need a Chemistry Account with Wireless Networking Privileges enabled. Please go to http://www.chem.psu.edu/helpdesk to request a Chemistry Account and Wireless Networking Privileges.

Setting up TCP/IP for DHCP

Since this is default setting for the network , chances are you will not have to change it.
You will need administrator access to your computer to make these changes.

1. Click on the apple in the upper left corner of your desktop and chooses System Prefrences.

2. Click on the 'Network' icon.

If you are not logged in as a system administrator, click on the lock at the bottom left hand corner of the window, and login.

We recommend creating a new location. To do this, click on the "Location: " drop-down menu and select "New Location..."

I'm going to call this location "Chemistry". You can name yours whatever you like.

You'll need to choose which interface to configure from the "Show: " drop-down.
My laptop has both Ethernet and Airport, as well as a modem. Since 802.1x is only currently available on wireless, I'll choose Airport.

Select "Airport" from the Network panel's "Show: " drop-down menu.

Under the TCP/IP Tab, Set "Configure IPv4:" to "Using DHCP" and make sure that the "DNS Servers (Optional)" is blank.

Everything else should be blank as well. Your window should look similar to this:

802.1x Client Configuration

A pre-configured setup script is available for download, if you are able to connect to the internet. You can download the script here. Download and run the script and then got step 3 and edit the "Chemistry" configuration.

1. Click on the Airport icon in the OS X menu bar's top right hand corner, turn Airport on if it isn't already, and select "Open Internet Connect..." at the bottom.

2. Go into the File menu and select "New 802.1X connection" (or use the Shift-Command-X shortcut).

3. Under the 802.1X selection, select "Edit Configurations..." from the Configuration pull-down menu.

4. Fill in the User Name with your Chemistry Network ID.

5. Put your Chemistry Network password in the Password field.

6. Type "chemistry" into the Wireless Network box.

7. Make sure that "PEAP" is the ONLY active authentication type.

8. Click OK in the 802.1X configuration window to save the settings and close it.

9. Click "Connect" in the Internet Connect window.

10. A window will open saying that "The Sever certificate is not trusted.." etc. Click "Show Certifiate" and then click "Always trust these certificates" PEAP uses SSL certificates to secure the authentication session between the laptop and the authentication server. You should only see this message once, when you set up your laptop. After that, if it appears again, please study it carefully before accepting it, since a certificate change may indicate a "man in the middle" attack by someone trying to compromise our wireless network.

11. You should then be able to successfully connect using the Chemistry Wireless network.   In the lower left corner of the 802.1x dialog box, you should see a status that says you are connected via PEAP.   You can close this window and continue using the wireless network.

Call the helpdesk at 863-2123 if you have any questions or problems.