How to connect to the Chemistry Wireless Network (for PC)

802.1x Instructions for Windows XP with Service Pack 2

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.

IMPORTANT: Using the Windows Wireless Client stores your user Chemistry Network Credentials in the system registry. When your password changes, a change to the registry will be required to access the Chemistry Wireless network.

Please Note: These instructions are for users of Windows XP Service Pack 2 and should work on any 802.1x compatible wireless network card. The steps below are for a Dell True mobile card. The steps for other cards may vary slightly,, but will contain the same settiings

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.

Disable any manufacturer-provided wireless configuration utility that may be installed on your laptop. If you have an IBM thinkpad, you must uninstall IBM access connections. We can not provide support to users with ACS installed.

Note Well: Most wireless card vendors' drivers include some sort of built in configuration utility. These manufacturer-provided utilities usually turn off Wireless Zero Configuration and will cause frustrating problems. You must disable them.

These instructions require that the Windows "Wireless Zero configuration" service is running and any manufacturer supplied config utility is turned off!

  1. Go to the control panel and double click Network Connections, the Right click on your wireless network card an select properties.
  2. On the Wireless Network Connection Properties window select the Wireless Networks tab.
      • Make sure the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is checked.
      • If Chemistry is listed in the Preferred networks section, skip to step 10.
      • If Chemistry is not listed, click the View Wireless Networks button to create the initial connection to Chemistry.

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3. You should now see the Wireless Network Connection window. Click on the Chemistry network and then click Connect in the bottom right hand corner.

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4. Windows will now try and connect to Chemistry for the first time.

5. You will now see the Wireless Network Connection . Highlight Chemistry and click on the Change advanced settings button on the left hand side of the screen to configure the Chemistry wireless network.

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6. In the Preferred networks section, select Chemistry (Automatic) and then click on the Properties button.

7. You should now see the chemistry properties window. In the Network Authentication box, select WPA and in the Data encryption box, select AES. Also, make sure and check the "The key" is provided for me automatically box. Now select the Authentication tab.



8. The Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network box should be checked. Set the EAP type to Protected EAP (PEAP). Authenticate as computer when computer information is available and Authenticate as guest when user or computer information is unavailable should NOT be checked. Now click the Properties button on the middle right hand side of window.

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9. Now, verify that Validate server certificate is CHECKED. Check the box next to "Thawte Premiun Server CA" .Select Authentication Method should be set to Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2). Also, Enable Fast Reconnect should be CHECKED. Now click the Configure button in lower right corner.

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10. Make sure that the box nest to Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any) is UNCHECKED. You will now need to click ok to all the proceeding windows.

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11. You will now see this bubble come up from your system tray (the area next to the time display on the task bar). Click inside the bubble to open the login window.

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12. You will now be prompted to enter your Chemistry Network user name, Chemistry Network password. Click OK at the bottom, and after it authenticates you will be on the wireless network.

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Change the Registry Key that Contains Your Old Password

Before editing your registry you should always back it up. This article from Microsoft provides instructions to backup the registry: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/. This article provides additional information about the registry http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/honeycutt_03march17.mspx.

The Chemistry HelpDesk has provided a file to make the registry change simple.

1. After backing up your registry, click on the clear_EAPOL.reg file below and save it to your desktop.

2. The file will download in a compressed folder. Open the folder and double click the clear_EAPOL.reg file on your desktop to launch it. (Note: If you receive an "Unknown Publisher" security message, click Run to proceed.) A message will ask if you want to add the information to your registry. Even though the question indicates that you are adding information, the program is set up to remove the registry key. Click Yes.

3. The next message indicates that your registry has been successfully edited. Click OK.

The next time you use the Microsoft Wireless Client to connect to the Chemistry Wireless network, you will be prompted for your user name and password. Enter your username and password to connect to the University's wireless network.

NOTICE:

The next time you start your pc/laptop you will not be prompted for your Chemistry Network user name and password. The connection will not be instantaneous, it takes a couple of minutes to associate with the access point and authenticate the user information.

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