Configuring AirPort to join a PEAP network (WEP)

Note: UI-Wireless-WEP will be turned off June 30th of 2008. If your computer supports WPA2 configurations we encourage you to use UI-Wireless-WPA2 as that network is more secure and will be the primary wireless network supported by ITS. Instructions for UI-Wireless-WPA2 can be found here.

Note: Intel-based MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops requires at least OS 10.4.6 to access the UI Wireless network.

For all other Macs, make sure you have at least Mac OS 10.3 or higher and that you have installed all the software updates for Mac OS X, AirPort Software, and all Mac OS X security updates before attempting to configure your Mac for UI Wireless. AirPort software v3.0 is recommended.  It is also recommended that you are in range of the University's wireless network while setting up the wireless connection.

The University of Iowa uses Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) as its wireless authentication protocol.  PEAP is not enabled by default on your AirPort equipped Mac, you will have to configure it manually using the instructions below. 

  1. First open the Internet Connect program by clicking on the AirPort Icon on your toolbar and selecting Open Internet Connect.

    Open Internet Connect

  2. When Internet Connect is open, click on File and select New 802.1x Connection. A new orange 802.1x padlock icon will appear in Internet Connect. Click on this icon.  Under the Configuration drop-down menu select Edit Configurations.

    Edit Configurations

  3. On the Configuration window, enter UI-Wireless-WEP in the description field.

    Leave the User Name and Password fields blank. If you are configuring a single-user laptop, you can optionally save your Hawk ID in the User Name field. Internet Connect will prompt you for this information, when it tries to connect to the wireless network. Do not leave your password saved in Internet Connect, as it is easy for someone to uncover your password once it is saved.

    If you are in range of the UI-Wireless-WEP network, then make sure that it is selected in the drop down menu. Otherwise enter it in manually (make sure to capitalize UI, the 'W' in Wireless, and WEP).

    Select PEAP as your authentication protocol.

    PEAP Option
  4. If this was a previously configured client, highlight PEAP and click the Configure button to make certain that the "Outer Identity" option is left blank. There is no need to do this on a previously unconfigured client.

    PEAP Outter Identity
     
  5. Click OK to return to the Configuration window.
  6. Click OK to return to the Internet Connect window.
  7. Close the Internet Connect window, go to the AirPort icon, and click on UI-Wireless-WEP in the AirPort status window.

    UI-Wireless-WEP option
     
  8. Now a window will pop up asking you for your user name and password (or just your password if you chose to save the user name in Internet Connect). Enter your Hawk ID and password and click OK.

    802.1X Authentication
     
  9. The first time you connect, you will see a window that asks you to verify the server certificate. Click Show Certificate.

    Server Certificate
     
  10. The window will expand and display certificate information. Verify that:
    - The certificate is issued by "Thawte Premium Server CA "
    - The certificate is for net-auth-1.its.uiowa.edu

    Server Certificate Verification

  11. If the certificate meets the criteria above, check the Always trust these certificates box and click Continue. Your computer should authenticate to the network in a few seconds and you should be able to connect to the Internet.

If you have any questions during the setup process please contact the ITS Help Desk.

Return to Wireless Support Center

Last Updated: 04/24/2008

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