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SaxaNet Secure Wireless Network: Getting Started with a Windows XP Computer

Requirements

  • Computer with Windows XP
  • 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network adapter card

Attention! Older computers with older wireless cards may have outdated drivers that don't support WPA authentication. To insure that SaxaNet Wireless works for you, obtain the most up-to-date drivers for your wireless card. For help obtaining compatible drivers, contact your computer's/wireless card's manufacturer or your Help Desk.

Before you buy a new wireless card, check to see if you already have one. Many newer computers have a built-in wireless adapter or come with a card you can install yourself.

Install the Wireless Card

To install a new wireless card, follow the setup instructions that came with it. Most of the time, this simply consists of inserting the card into your laptop's PC card slot. Windows XP should automatically detect and install the necessary software.

Configure Windows XP to Connect to SaxaNet

Note: Adding SaxaNet will not interfere with any wireless connections you may have already set up.

  1. Click on the Start button, then click on All Programs, then Accessories, then Communications, then Network Connections.

  1. Right-click on Wireless Network Connection. Then click Properties.

This will bring up the Wireless Network Connection Properties window.
   

  1. Click on the General tab.

  2. Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

  3. Click on the Properties button.

   

  1. Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected (a green dot should appear next to it).

  2. Make sure that Obtain DNS server address automatically is selected (a green dot should appear next to it).

  3. Click OK.

  4. Click on the Wireless Networks tab.

 
   

  1. Make sure Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is checked.

  2. Click on the Add button. The Wireless Network properties window is displayed.

Note: If SaxaNet is already in your list of networks, select it and click on the Properties button instead of the Add button.

   

  1. Beside Network Name (SSID), type SaxaNet in the box.

Note: The network name is case-sensitive, so be sure to type it as indicated in this step.

  1. Make sure Network Authentication is WPA.

Note: If you don't see a box for Network Authentication with WPA as an option, you may need to update your drivers or obtain a newer wireless card.  See the note at the top of the page.

  1. Make sure Data Encryption is set to TKIP.

  2. Make sure This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used is unchecked.

  3. Click on the Authentication tab.
   

  1. Change EAP type to Protected EAP (PEAP) if it hasn?t been set automatically.

  2. Click on the Properties button. The Protected EAP Properties window is displayed.

   

  1. Check the box next to Validate server certificate.

  2. In the Trusted Root Certification Authorities area, scroll down until you locate Class 3 Public Primary Certification Authority, and then click its corresponding check box.

  3. Make sure Select Authentication Method is set to Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2).

  4. Click on the Configure button.

   

  1. Make sure the box next to Automatically use my Windows logon name and password is unchecked, since your Georgetown NetID and Password are required for the secure network.

  2. Click OK.

 
 

  1. Click OK two more times. The Wireless Network Connection Properties window should still be displayed.

You should see SaxaNet listed in the Preferred Networks area. If SaxaNet is not the top entry, highlight it, and then click on the Move Up button until SaxaNet is at the top of the list.

  1. With SaxaNet highlighted, click on the Advanced button.

   

  1. Make sure Access point (infrastructure) networks only is selected.

  2. Make sure Automatically connect to non-preferred networks is not checked.

  3. Click on the Close button.

 

  1. Click OK. The following message should pop up on the bottom right side of the desktop.

 

  1. Click anywhere on this message. The Enter Credentials login window is displayed.

   

  1. Type your NetID in the User Name field and your NetID Password in the Password field. Make sure to leave Logon domain blank.

  2. Click OK.

Note: It may take a moment to authenticate.

 
 

You should now be properly configured to access the SaxaNet Secure Wireless Network, and your computer will connect to SaxaNet whenever the network is in range.

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