Getting Connected

OSU Students and Employees

Most buildings now have wireless network access. If you'd like to find out if a specific building has wireless network service go to the OSU Interactive Map.

Select which wireless network you would like to connect to. You will need your ONID credentials to login and register your computer.

Visitors

Any OSU student or employee can use their ONID credentials to temporarily authenticate a visitor's computer via the login box on the Wireless Network welcome page. However, the OSU student or employee is responsible for the visitor's action on the network, as if the OSU student or employee had been using the computer themselves. For example, if the visitor receives a copyright violation the person who is logged the visitor in will be held responsible.

The Oregon University System (OUS) is in the process of implementing a reciprical authentication process, which will allow anyone from one of the OUS institutions to use the wireless network of any one of the other universities. If your parent institution has already set this up, you can log in to the OSU wireless network by simply picking the name of your university from the 'Provider' drop-down list (on the Wireless Network welcome page) and typing in the same username & password you use at your home institution.

Conference Guests

Departments at OSU may create a conference account to be used by event attendees for wireless access. The cost is $15 per event, charged to a departmental index code. To register: Conference Wireless Registration (Note: Requires ONID authentication).

Department laptops

Department laptops can be registered in Maintain by the Departmental Computing Administrator (DCA?) and they will automatically have access to the Wireless Network.

Wireless Coverage

You can view on campus wireless coverage for each building by using the OSU Interactive Map.

More wireless information can be found on Network Engineering's website.

 

Network Media Players (ROKU)

Network Media Players are devices that can stream shows from providers like Netflix and Hulu directly to your TV by connecting to the internet. Certain models have a hard-coded DNS which causes them to have connection problems on OSU networks, including ResNet.

Typically connecting through an Ethernet cable will resolve the issue, so we always recommend that people buy NMPs with Ethernet ports. Most players have ports already, but some like the Roku HD and Roku 2 XD do not. 

Getting a wireless router should fix the connection issue, but this has not yet been tested. If customers ask about getting a Roku, recommend the Roku 2 XS, because it is currently the only member of the Roku lineup that has an Ethernet port built in.

OSU Secure

What is OSU Secure?

OSU_Secure is an option for those on campus who require data encryption while accessing the internet. It uses a 48-bit initialization vector and a 128-bit encryption key and utilizes Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to achieve security. This is a useful option for those who enjoy the leisure of online banking, but don't want to be concerned with unencrypted information being transmitted through the wireless network.

Why WPA?

WPA offers a more secure method of using OSU's wireless network. OSU_Secure SSID is the preferred method to securely access the OSU Network and the Internet. Wireless clients using the OSU_Access network will be limited to what they can access. You can use the VPN service on the OSU_Access network to have similar to secure access capabilities that OSU_Secure provides.

What is WPA?

WPA or Wi-Fi Protected Access is a class of systems to secure wireless computer networks. There are two classes of WPA that allow secure access to a wireless network:

  • WPA-PSK
  • WPA-Enterprise

WPA-PSK works well in a SOHO environment where a strong (minimum 20+ characters) Pre-Shared Key can be shared amongst a few wireless clients. WPA-Enterprise is more suitable for large organizations using an external authentication method. Both classes of WPA require encrypted authentication to occur prior to allowing encrypted data to be sent over the wireless.

The following URL has a comprehensive description of WPA and other references to implementations of WPA: Wikipedia's Wi-Fi Protected Access.

Who has access?

As with OSU_Access, anyone with valid ONID credentials may access OSU_Secure. For those who have forgotten their ONID login information, it can be reset using that individuals OSU ID? number and GAP? from the ONID homepage or by clicking here.

How can I use it?

To connect to OSU_Secure, the computer must first be registered to Maintain (link opens in new window). Maintain is a network management software that registers users onto the wireless network on campus. It requires the hardware address, which is unique to each device, to be registered to the network. Generally, these will look like, "00-23-45-67-89-ab." If you have troubles finding your hardware address, please use these instructions. (Note: the instructions will open in a new window.)

Once a computer is registered in Maintain (link opens in new window), that device can either connect to OSU_Access or OSU_Secure. Once registered, OSU_Access does not require any more configuration while OSU_Secure requires additional configuration for the WPA encryption.

The general settings used for the OSU_Secure network are:

  • SSID: OSU_Secure
  • Security: WPA2 Enterprise
  • EAP Method: PEAP (PEAPv0/EAP-MSCHAPv2)
  • Key Type: AES (or automatic)
  • Phase2 Type: MSCHAPv2
  • Username: ONID Username
  • Password: ONID Password

More detailed instructions with pictures are available for both Microsoft and Apple operating systems as well as select mobile devices. Click on any of the links below to view the instructions:

Windows 7/Vista

Windows XP

Mac OS 10.6 / 10.7

Mac OS 10.5

Linux (Unix)

Mobile

What does the "Secure" part of OSU secure mean?

The secure part means that any data you send over the wireless connection is encrypted. Browsers and websites can encrypt the data that they send anyway which happens on most or all sites that transfer any sensitive information. The encryption done by the wireless network is another layer of security that helps protect your sensitive information. The following is more technical information which is unnecessary for the use of the wireless networks.

Examples:

Un-Secured Wireless (OSU_Access):

Sending this data through an HTTP connection will be transmitted over the wireless network completely unencrypted. If you are submitting a comment to an unsecured forum the data would be transmitted in clear text which could be read by anybody with the correct software. For poorly designed websites they may also be able to see the username, password, and what website you were trying to log in to.

Sending this through a https (s stands for secure) connection will be encrypted on your computer and sent through the network. Anybody with the correct software would be able to see where you were sending the information to but not the actual information being sent. (more technically the header information will not be encrypted but the data will be).

Secured Wireless (OSU_Secure):

Sending this data through a HTTP connection will still result in everything being encrypted. Anybody with the correct software will be able to see that you are sending and receiving data but they will not be able to tell where you are sending it or what information you are sending (including usernames and passwords).

Sending this through a https (s stands for secure) connection will be encrypted on your computer and sent through the network where it will be encrypted again (more technically the data will be encrypted twice and the headers will be encrypted once). Anybody with the correct software would be able to see that you are sending and receiving data but they will not be able to see where you are sending it or what information you are sending (including usernames and passwords).

Windows XP

Below are the steps to connect to OSU_Secure with Windows XP. Please follow all directions closely for proper setup.

All of the images below can be clicked on if you need a larger view.

Step 1Run Dialog

Click Start, then click Run. A run box will open. When it does, type "ncpa.cpl" and click OK.

Step 2Wireless Connection Properties Menu

The network connections box will open. Once it does, right-click on your Wireless Network Connection entry, and click Properties.

Step 3Wireless Networks List

A connection properties window should open. When it does, click the Wireless Networks tab at the top.

Note: You should see a list of wireless networks. If OSU_Secure is already listed, highlight it and click the Remove button to clear out all old settings.

Click the Add button.

 

Step 4Association Screen

This will open a new connection box. Type in "OSU_Secure" for the name, then select WPA2 for network authentication, and select AES for data encryption.

Click the Authentication tab at the top.

Step 5Authentication Tab

Select Protected EAP (PEAP) for the EPA Type.

Click the Properties button.

 

Step 6PEAP Properties

This will open a separate properties box. Un-check the Validate Server Certificate box, then click the Configure button at the bottom.

Step 7Auto Logon

Another box will open. Un-check the Automatically use my Windows logon name and password box, and click OK.

 

Step 8

Click OK three times to close all the open settings boxes.

You should be back to the Network Connections page. Right-click on the Wireless Network Connection entry and click View Available Wireless Networks.

Step 9Popup

Windows should automatically connect to OSU_Secure at this point. If it doesn't, just double-click on the OSU_Secure entry to connect.

Windows will begin connecting. At some point, a popup window will appear asking for credentials. Click on this popup window to open the credentials page.

Step 10Credential Page

Enter your ONID username in the user name box, your ONID password in the password box, and then type "ONID" in the Logon domain box.

Click OK, and it will connect you to OSU_Secure.

Windows Vista, 7

Windows Vista and Windows 7 should be able to Connect to the OSU_Secure network with the automatic instructions below. If these instructions fail, you can try connecting to OSU_Secure manually

 

Connect Automatically

To connect to the OSU_Secure network:

  1. Click on your wireless network icon in your taskbar.
  2. Click on the OSU_Secure network in the list, and click the Connect button.
  3. A window should pop up asking for a username and password. Enter your ONID Username and ONID Password, and hit enter. Your computer should then connect to OSU_Secure.

Note: If you are unable to connect automatically, try the manual steps below:

 

Connect Manually

Below are the manual steps to connect to OSU_Secure with Windows Vista/7. Please follow all directions closely for proper setup.

All of the images below can be clicked on if you need a larger view.

Step 1

Click Start, then click Control Panel. Once the Control Panel opens, click Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center, then on the left-hand side, click Manage Wireless Networks.

A list of your saved wireless networks (if any) should open up.

Step 2Wireless Connection Properties Menu

Click the Add button on this page.

Note: If OSU_Secure is already listed here (if you tried to add it already), delete it from the list before continuing to clear out any old settings.

Step 3Wireless Networks List

A separate window should open. When it does, select Manually Create a Network Profile.

Step 4Association Screen

This will open a new connection box. Type in the following information:

  • Network Name: OSU_Secure
  • Security Type: WPA2_Enterprise
  • Encryption Type: AES

Leave everything else the way it is. Once finished, it should look like the screenshot to the left (click on it for a larger view). Click the Next button when you are done.

Step 5Success Added

A window should appear saying that you Successfully added OSU_Secure. Click the Change Connection Settings option, and a new settings window should open.

Step 6PEAP Properties

Click on the Security tab at the top, and verify that Security type is still WPA2-Enterprise, Encryption Type is still AES, and the Network Authentication Method is set to Microsoft: Protected EAP (PEAP).

Click on the Settings button next to the drop-down menu.

Step 7PEAP Settings

Un-check the box next to Validate Server Certificate.

Make sure that the Secure Authentication Method is set to Secure Password (EAP-MSCHAP v2), and then click the Configure button next to it.

Step 8Auto Login Settings

Un-check the box next to Automatically use my Windows logon name and password.

Click OK three times to close the open settings windows.

Step 9Connect to Secure Network

You should be looking at the Successfully added OSU_Secure window again. Click Close to close this window.

Click on the wireless icon in the lower left-hand corner of your dock, select the OSU_Secure network from the list, and click Connect.

Step 10ONID Login

A box should pop up asking for network authentication credentials. Enter your ONID username in the top box, then your ONID password in the bottom box and click OK.

Step 11

If it asks you to set a location for Secure, choose Public Network.

You should now be connected to the OSU_Secure network!

Mac OS 10.6 / 10.7

Below are the steps to connect to OSU_Secure with OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and OSX 10.7 (Lion). Please follow all directions closely for proper setup.

All of the images below can be clicked on if you need a larger view.

Step 1Wireless Connection Properties Menu

Click the wireless icon in the upper-left hand corner and select OSU_Secure from the list.

Step 2Wireless Networks List

A window will open asking for a username/password. Enter your ONID Username in the User Name box, and your ONID Password in the Password Box.

Click OK.

Step 3Association Screen

Your computer will then attempt to connect to OSU_Secure.

If you get a popup similar to the one on the right asking to verify a certificate, click Continue.

Mac OS 10.5

Below are the steps to connect to OSU_Secure with OSX 10.5 (Leopard). Please follow all directions closely for proper setup.

All of the images below can be clicked on if you need a larger view.

Step 1Apple Menu

Click on the Apple icon in the upper-left hand corner, then select System Preferences.

Step 2Wireless Network Icon

Click on the Network icon on this screen.

Step 3Association Screen

Select Airport from the list on the left, then click the Advanced button.

Step 4Association Screen

Click the '+' symbol to add a new wireless network.

Step 5Network Settings

Type OSU_Secure for the Network Name, and select WPA2 Enterprise for security. More fields should appear after selecting this.

In the Username box, type ONID\, followed by your ONID username.

Example: If your onid username is beaverb, you would type "ONID\beaverb"

Enter your ONID password in the password box. Leave the 802.1X box alone at its default value.

Step 6Association Screen

Click the OK button at the bottom of the screen.

Step 6Apply Button

Now lick the Apply button. This should close all the open settings windows.

Step 7Association Screen

Click the Airport icon in the upper-right hand corner, and select OSU_Secure from the list.

Step 8Authentication Screen

Your computer will then attempt to connect to OSU_Secure.

If you get a popup similar to the one on the right asking to verify a certificate, click Continue.

OSU_Secure Wireless on Linux (Unix)

PLEASE NOTE:

The OSU Computer Helpdesk does not officially support Linux devices on the secure wireless network. Most should work fine if configured properly, but if any questions arise, they should be directed to the Linux community (there is a Linux Users Group on campus as well). The details on this page are only suggestions that have been reported to work in the past.

The general settings for the OSU Secure network are as follows:

  • SSID: OSU_Secure
  • Security: WPA2 Enterprise
  • EAP Method: PEAP (PEAPv0/EAP-MSCHAPv2)
  • Key Type: AES (or automatic)
  • Phase2 Type: MSCHAPv2
  • Domain (If required): ONID
  • Username: ONID Username
  • Password: ONID Password

If you are unable to get the default wireless manager to work, users have had success switching to WICD as their wireless manager.

For help installing WICD for your flavor of Linux, see the WICD Downloads Page. The top of this page also provides some basic troubleshooting steps to start using it.

NOTE: Once you install WICD, you will have to uninstall or stop your other wireless manager to use it.

Mobile

General Instructions for a mobile phone:

If you're phone doesn't have specific instructions on this website these are the general settings that the phone will have to have in order to connect to OSU_Secure.

  • SSID: OSU_Secure
  • Security: WPA2 Enterprise
  • EAP Method: PEAP (PEAPv0/EAP-MSCHAPv2)
  • Key Type: AES (or automatic)
  • Phase2 Type: MSCHAPv2
  • Username: ONID Username
  • Password: ONID Password

 

If you have a phone that is not in the list of current devices with instructions we are always willing to add them so if you can create specific instructions please email us with them and we will post them here. Screenshots (if possible) are also much appreciated and will also be posted.

OSU Access

What is OSU Access?

OSU_Access is the unsecured campus wireless network. Anybody with an ONID account or a Conference Login can connect.

How do I connect?

You can connect to OSU Access using your laptop's wireless connection. If it is set to automatically connect, it may ask you if you really want to connect to it. You may also have to select it from the list of wireless networks, and it may ask you if you really want to connect here as well. In either case select Ok, or Connect.

When you open your browser, you should get a sign-in/registration page. You can choose to either sign in, which is just a temporary 600 minute login, or you can register your computer's MAC address? so that you don't have to sign in again. We strongly recommend that customers permanently register their machines.

For instructions on how to permanently register your machine, Click Here.

Visitor Wireless

The Visitor network is free.  Aside from using the University’s existing wireless infrastructure, no OSU staff or resources are involved; routing and management are provided by Peak and Alyrica.

  • A login/agreement appears every 20 minutes.
  • Capacity of this network is limited.
  • OSU does not provide support for this free service.
  • OSU does not guarantee that this free service will work for everyone; nor do Peak or Alyrica.  
  • This is NOT intended as a replacement for OSU Access or OSU Secure. It’s strictly a free service provided as a temporary convenience for visitors to OSU.
  • This network will not be appropriate for anyone authorized to use our existing OSU networks.

Using Wireless at U of O

Members of the Oregon State University Community are able to use wireless networking at Portland State University and the University of Oregon as part of an agreement among these institutions.  Please carefully follow the instructions below to use your ONID account to get on U of O wireless.

Step 1: Connect to the right wireless network. 

You should choose the wireless network named "uowireless" (Not the one labeled "UO Secure").  See illustration below.  Your network list may look somewhat different.

 picture of wireless networks at U of O

Step 2: How to use your ONID password

Once you have connected to the correct network you will need to authenticate (i.e. log in).  To do that, open any web browser and go to www.oregonstate.edu (any other site will do as well).  A login screen will then present itself:

picture of U of O wireless login screen

Here you will login with your ONID credentials: for the  user name use your ONID email address. 

Example: username@onid.oregonstate.edu

If you have typed in your credentials correctly you will now how access to the internet through the U of O wireless network.

Step 3: Initiate a VPN? connection to OSU.  (Optional but recommended)

While this step is not strictly mandatory, it is highly recommended as it will offer two major advantages. First, it will make sure your Internet activity is safe from eavesdropping.  As is the case with many wireless networks, the UO network is not encrypted, so anyone within broadcast range of your computer may be able to see much of what you do on the Internet.  The VPN eliminates this problem.  Second, using the VPN will give you broader access to OSU resources than you would otherwise have.  Click here for more information on the OSU VPN.

Using Wireless at Portland State University

Members of the Oregon State University Community are able to use wireless networking at Portland State University and the University of Oregon as part of an agreement among these institutions.  Please carefully follow the instructions below to use your ONID account to get on PSU wireless.

Step 1: Connect to the right wireless network. 

You should choose the wireless network named "PSU" (Not the one labeled "PSU Secure").  See illustration below.  Your network list may look somewhat different.

 Pictur of wireless networks at PSU

Step 2: How to use your ONID password

Once you have connected to the correct network you will need to authenticate (i.e. log in).  To do that, open any web browser and go to www.oregonstate.edu (any other site will do as well).  A login screen will then present itself:

PSU wireless login screen

Here you will login with your ONID credentials, but in a slightly different way: for the  user name, use your ONID username and append "@onid"  Be very careful not to append any more than just "@onid"   If you also append "oregonstate.edu" the process will fail.

Example: username@onid

If you have typed in your credentials correctly you will now how access to the internet through the PSU wireless network.

Step 3: Initiate a VPN? connection to OSU.  (Optional but recommended)

While this step is not strictly mandatory, it is highly recommended as it will offer two major advantages. First, it will make sure your Internet activity is safe from eavesdropping.  As is the case with many wireless networks, the PSU network is not encrypted, so anyone within broadcast range of your computer may be able to see much of what you do on the Internet.  The VPN eliminates this problem.  Second, using the VPN will give you broader access to OSU resources than you would otherwise have.  Click here for more information on the OSU VPN.