Wireless Network Access

Introduction

Macon State College’s wireless network is intended to support the BOR principle “to expand the learning environment ensuring access to information and educational experiences independent of time, location, and physical boundaries”

Wireless network availability and speed

The Macon State College wireless network consists of 802.11g access points and in newer buildings 802.11n. Wireless coverage is available in all indoor areas and outdoor gathering areas adjacent to buildings on both campuses.

Accessing Macon State College's wireless network

People accessing the wireless network are categorized into four groups, guests, faculty, staff and students.

Students and Guests are provided a "Guests" wireless network with limited Internet access only. Access to Macon State College resources is restricted. Students and Guests accessing this network are required to have a 802.11b/g compatible wireless NIC. The "Guests" network will show up as an unsecured wireless network. It is unsecured to allow for ease of access. Users of this network are responsible for protecting their network transmissions by using secure protocols such as SSL and VPN when necessary.

Faculty and Staff should use the secure "Data" wireless network. 802.1X PEAP is used to restrict access to authorized users only and protect privacy. Access to Macon State College resources is allowed.

The following requirements must be met in order to use the "Data" network:

1. The system accessing the wireless network must be a mobile device such as a laptop computer, notebook computer or PDA.
2. The system must trust the Verisign root CA. Click Here and follow the instructions for installing the certificate into your trusted certificate store.
3. The system accessing the wireless network must be secured
   
   
   • How to Secure Your PC
4. The system requires WPA/TKIP or WPA2/AES network authentication using your "@maconstate.edu" domain account.
5. See the following for compatible configurations to connect to the Data network:
   
   
   • Windows XP SP3 Configuration
   • Mac OS X 10.3 and above Configuration

Additional client configurations are available, but not “officially supported”. Users who wish to use unsupported configurations will be responsible for meeting the above requirements.

In this situation, proper configuration of the software supplicant will be the responsibility of the user.

Once the requirements are verified by Technology Support Services the user will be granted access to the wireless "Data"