FAQ - Connecting on Campus: Mac OS 10.3 or higher Native 802.1X Support for UIC Wireless

Table of Contents Mac OS X Questions I can't find the 802.1X setup like the instructions say. What's wrong? The instructions say that I should be able to see the "UIC-Wireless" access point from the Mac AirPort system menu. But I see nothing there (or I can't select it). How can I get/locate the access point? I've followed the instructions, but I can't authenticate. What's wrong? Whenever I try to locate an access point, I can't seem to find it. However, I have a friend/colleague who can find the access point easily. What's wrong? I am able to use the Mac OS X 802.1X client to authenticate myself, but when I check the Network system preference, it says that I'm "not connected" to the Internet. I have my network settings configured just like the instructions say I should. What's wrong? I can authenticate through an access point, but I get no IP address via DHCP. The wireless access point seems to take forever to authenticate me, but once I'm in, everything's fine. Is this a problem? I want to setup an AirPort Extreme base station for use at UIC. Can I do this? Wireless Network At Home How do I secure my wireless network at home?

Question 1.1 I can't find the 802.1X setup like the instructions say. What's wrong?

• Be sure you're using Mac OS X version 10.3 (also known as "Panther") or Mac OS X version 10.4 ("Tiger"). Earlier versions of Mac OS X do not support 802.1X.
• In most cases, if you're running an earlier version of Mac OS X, it is safe and advisable to upgrade to 10.3 or 10.4.
• Or, if you are using Mac OS C 10.5, Leopard, make sure you are using the set up page for Leopard.
• You can find out which version of Mac OS X you're running by selecting "About This Mac" from the Apple menu.

Question 1.2 The instructions say that I should be able to see the "UIC-Wireless" access point from the Mac AirPort system menu. But I see nothing there (or I can't select it). How can I get/locate the access point?

• Sometimes (sometimes for Panther and Tiger, always for Leopard) you won't be able to locate the access point unless you first enter its name manually from within the 802.1X client.
• Just type UIC-Wireless in the Wireless Network text entry field within the 802.1X client.
• Configure the rest of the client settings just as the instructions say. It should then work just fine.

Question 1.3 I've followed the instructions, but I can't authenticate. What's wrong?

• Be sure that TTLS Inner Authentication is set to PAP and that the Outer Identity is set to anonymous.
• Sometimes, even though you may have explicitly entered these settings, they do not take for some reason.

Question 1.4 Whenever I try to locate an access point, I can't seem to find it. However, I have a friend/colleague who can find the access point easily. What's wrong?

• Some PowerBooks (especially the early G4 "Titanium" PowerBooks or "TiBooks") have greater difficultly locating and using wireless access points. There are number of third-party products are designed to make them more sensitive to wireless signals.

Question 1.5 I am able to use the Mac OS X 802.1X client to authenticate myself, but when I check the Network system preference, it says that I'm "not connected" to the Internet. I have my network settings configured just like the instructions say I should. What's wrong?

• Not all wireless access points at UIC belong to the ACCC (although they all must use the ACCC's authentication service as well as 802.1X ... so they all -appear- the same).
• Some departments allot only a handful of IP addresses to the wireless access points that they own. When the set of allotted IP addresses is exhausted, the access point will authenticate you, but it will not issue you an IP address.
• Unfortunately, you must wait until an IP address in use frees up.

Question 1.6 I can authenticate through an access point, but I get no IP address via DHCP.

• A: See above.

Question 1.7 The wireless access point seems to take forever to authenticate me, but once I'm in, everything's fine. Is this a problem?

• A: No, you do not need to worry. Sometimes the authentication service is simply busy.

Question 1.8 I want to setup an AirPort Extreme base station for use at UIC. Can I do this?

• No, sorry. The new version of the AirPort Extreme base stations are not compatible with UIC-Wireless.

Question 2.1 How do I secure my wireless network at home?

• See Planet Wi-Fi's How-To: WPA-PSK: Step-by-Step
• And also their suggestions for 802.11 Security: Making a Case for Wireless Networks

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