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WIRELESS HOTFIX
for Windows XP SP2

Configuring Windows XP w/ SP2 for 802.1x Secure Wireless

For students, checkout laptops and non-university owned computers.

Note: The student center wireless will not be switched over to secure mode (Aeris) until orientation sessions have finished.

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Important Note!

In order to set up your laptop computer for secure wireless access, you will need to follow the instructions at the left under "Set Up Links", including installing the HotFix if you are running Windows XP.

You will need to print these instructions from a computer connected to the wired network (either your laptop or another computer), or be able to look at the instructions on one computer while you configure secure wireless (802.1x) on your wireless laptop.

After you have completed the configuration, reboot your computer, disconnect from the wired network if you are using it, and verify that you are able to use Aeris successfully. Contact the Technology HelpDesk if you have any problems.

Affected Systems:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2

Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2

Required Updates:

Windows XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft Hotfix Alert!

Microsoft has issued hotfix update KB885453 that fixes a problem most computers have when connecting to secure wireless networks.

Please update your computer first. Click the Wireless Hot Fix link on the left to download to the desktop of your laptop computer and install. 587KB

For faculty, staff and university owned computers, Click Here >>

Follow these steps to set the options for wireless networking:

Enable your computer's wireless network service. (This may be a physical switch on the computer, or software that turns on the wireless network card.

Classic Menu

Windows XP Menu

Go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Network Connections.

Right-click on Wireless Connection and select Properties from the submenu that is displayed.

Go to Start Menu > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.

Right-click on Wireless Connection and select Properties from the submenu that is displayed.

In the General tab, remove the check from AEGIS Protocol (not all systems will have this)

Select the Wireless Networks tab. Click on the Add button.

On the Association tab, enter Aeris in the Network Name (SSID) blank. (cap sensitive)
Check the options for Data encryption (WEP enabled) and The key is provided for me automatically

On the Authentication tab of the network properties window, check the option for Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network. For EAP type, select Protected EAP (PEAP) for EAP type, r emove the check from the option for Authenticate as computer when computer information is available, and then click Properties.

Remove the check from Validate server certificate. Select Secure password (EAP-MSCHAP v2) for the authentication method, check Enable Fast Reconnect and then click Configure.

Remove the check from the option for Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any). Click OK to accept this setting.

Keep clicking OK until you have exited from Wireless Network Connections Properties.
Restart the computer.

Connecting to the Wireless Network

After restarting the computer you will see the following bubble pop up on the task bar when the wireless network is in range.

Click in the center of the bubble (not the X) to enter your credentials.

In the credentials box enter your User name, Password and AD for Logon domain, click OK.

You should now be able to use the Secure Wireless Network.

Verify

To verify that the wireless client has been authenticated, on the wireless client go to Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections. On the menu bar, go to View > Tiles. The wireless connection should display the message "Authentication succeeded."

Troubleshoot

Verify the wireless client settings.
Verify that the AD user account is correct.