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Using Penn State Wireless 1.0 or 2.0

Wireless 1.0 - VPN Required:

 

1. What Do I Need?

• To get connected to the Penn State Wireless 1.0 service on your laptop, you'll need:

  • A Penn State Access Account.
  • A laptop with an 802.11 compatible wireless network card, such as those that are wireless-ready or that have a PCMCIA card slot. You can purchase a wireless adapter card from the University's Computer Store. To obtain a list of cards, enter wireless adapter in the search field at http://computerstore.psu.edu/.
    
  • The VPN Client Software - read below
    
  The Penn State VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure network connection that uses encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users access the network and that data is secure. Download and configuration of the VPN is necessary in order to authenticate and to access the Penn State wireless 1.0 pennstate network. VPN software clients for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X are available for download with or without an Internet connection, as well as documentation and installation instructions for each client:

• Download and configure the VPN with an Internet connection.
• Connecting to Penn State Wireless 1.0 using Vista 64bit (instructions specific to Vista 64bit and the Penn State VPN).
• Download the VPN without an Internet connection (Note that you will need to authenticate with your Penn State Access Account userid and password in order to access the client).
  

2. Unplug and Fire Up a Connection!

It's easy to get connected to Penn State Wireless 1.0. All you have to do is:

• Power up your laptop. 
• Launch your VPN client software, and select the Penn State campus where you are located.
• Use the pennstate wireless network for your tasks. 
• Disconnect the VPN client when you are done.

Visit the ITS Knowledge Base for setup instructions for Wireless 1.0 VPN access on the iPhone/iPod Touch

Wireless 2.0 - No VPN Required:

 

1. What Do I Need?

• To get connected to the Penn State Wireless 2.0 service, you'll need:

  • A Penn State Access Account.
  • A laptop with an 802.11 compatible wireless network card.
  • Instructions for Windows | Macintosh | Unix/Linux | Apple iPhone/iPod Touch (pending)
  The Penn State Wireless 2.0 service incorporates recent 802.1X wireless authentication and encryption methods that are aimed at enabling an improved level of security and improved performance. You no longer have to download a VPN or relaunch a VPN session when moving from building to building. Just open your laptop and you'll see the psu network.

2. Unplug and Fire Up a Connection!

It's easy to get connected to Penn State Wireless 2.0. All you have to do is:

• Power up your laptop. 
• Use the psu wireless network for your tasks. 

Visit the ITS Knowledge Base for setup instructions for Wireless 2.0 access on the iPhone

Visitor Wireless

Visitors to our campus may access wireless Internet service from their personal computer at any participating Visitor Wireless location.