This article will describe how to configure Windows XP to manage your computer's wireless connection. Many computer manufacturers create their own wireless networking software utilities and install it on their machines from the factory. If you are having trouble connecting, it can be easier to troubleshoot the issue if you allow Windows to manage your connections. Since there are so many different, manufacturer-specific wireless interfaces, User Support Services does not provide support for any other utilities except the standard Windows interface.
This article will describe how to obtain, set up, and use PSU's Cisco VPN client for Windows. What the VPN client does is to create a secure 'tunnel' through the internet from your computer to PSU servers, through which your network traffic passes. Your computer is assigned a PSU network address, and appears to the outside world as a computer on the PSU network. This allows you to use resources that are only accessible from the PSU network, such as Banner, or Remote Desktop connections to your work computer.
This article describes how to configure Windows Vista to connect to the basic wireless network, "PSU," available on the campus. These networks are not encrypted and offer basic access to the Internet to anyone with an Odin computer account, a Sponsored account or a Guest Wireless account.
What is the VPN Client?
The VPN Client is a tool that staff and faculty members can use if they need to access on-campus network resources from off campus. Usually these resources are protected by our network firewall, and therefore are blocked from off-campus usage or the PSU wireless network. Some of these resources include Banner access, remote desktop access, and I drive access for some database applications.
Most devices that connect to a network have a unique identifier called a MAC address, sometimes also known as an Ethernet ID or a Physical Address. A network device's MAC address is set by its manufacturer and is permanent. MAC addresses are useful for situations requiring a specific device to be identified, such as when assigning a static network address. Devices that have MAC addresses include printers, built-in and stand-alone network cards, network-enabled PDAs, and Bluetooth devices.
There are different numbers used for students and faculty/staff to access the PSU Dial-Up lines. Depending on your status, you will want to use one of the following.
Instructions on how to setup a dial up connection to PSU:
Yes though you may have to register your device with OIT. Contact the Helpdesk at 503-725-HELP for information.
If you are visiting campus for a short period of time on PSU-related business and need only wireless access, you may visit the USS Helpdesk during normal business hours in Smith Memorial Student Union Room 18, and a temporary wireless account can be created for you. Please bring a photo ID.
