Wireless

Wireless Network Connectivity

Through an agreement with TNS, standard 802.11a/b/g is available inside and in the general areas just outside the Smeal College Business Building. This service is administered and maintained by TNS and the RIIT Group cannot repair or troubleshoot problems with the network side of the Wireless Mobility LAN. However, the RIIT Group can provide support for wireless clients on the end user’s laptop if that person is a member of the Smeal College and if the laptop is one provided through the College.

Users wishing to access the Wireless Mobility must have a valid Penn State Access ID and password. Also, prior to connecting to the Wireless Mobility network, users must first install the VPN client available at: https://downloads.its.psu.edu/. The VPN client is used to authenticate the user in order to grant access to the internet and to encrypt the wireless session to prevent eavesdropping.

While visitors with a temporary Access ID can technically use the Wireless Mobility network, the VPN client requirement means that visitors wishing to connect to a corprorate VPN will be unable to do so since a VPN session cannot run within another. Also, since many corporate provided machines are administered by that company’s IT staff, and may subsequently be “locked down” or set up in a way that is fundamentally incompatible with the Penn State licensed VPN client, the RIIT Group cannot provide technical assistance. The RIIT Group strongly recommends that visitors use the Wired Mobility as it allows access to corporate VPNs, does not require any software client be installed for authentication and is generally the most compatible access method available at Penn State.