University Computer Help Desk

Overview of wireless access at Illinois State University

Illinois State University offers several wireless networks to its student, faculty, staff, retirees, and visitors.

Illinois State University maintains wireless access points across campus. For a list of access points, refer to 1092: Wireless access point locations on campus.

There are several wireless networks available at Illinois State:

  • isunet - Available throughout most parts of campus
  • isu-guest - Available in all locations where "isunet" is available
  • isu-public - Available in Milner Library (no user name or password required)
  • isu-resnet - Available in some residence halls on campus
  • setup-isu-resnet - Connect to "setup-isu-resnet" to configure your computer for "isu-resnet" wireless
  • isu-voice - For use with Voice Over IP (VOIP) phones

ISUNET

Students, faculty, staff, and retirees can connect to "isunet," which is broadcast throughout much of campus.

The following restrictions apply to "isunet" wireless:

  • A valid ULID and password are required.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) network traffic is blocked on all campus wireless networks.

To use "isunet," your computer or device must support one of the following:

  • MS-PEAP and WPA2/AES (recommended)
  • LEAP and WPA2/AES

If your computer only supports WPA/TKIP, you may be able to connect to "isunet" using those configuration options. However, we strongly recommend against using WPA/TKIP due to security weaknesses in TKIP.

Telecommunications & Networking is phasing out WPA/TKIP on campus. As a result, some "isunet" access points may broadcast WPA/TKIP, but others may not. For best results, please use WPA2/AES.

For more information, refer to the following:

ISU-GUEST

Visitors to campus who are working with a faculty or staff member can connect to "isu-guest," which is broadcast by all wireless access points on campus, except in Milner Library. In Milner Library, visitors should use "isu-public" instead.

The following restrictions apply to "isu-guest" wireless:

  • A valid network guest account is required.
  • The "isu-guest" wireless network is unencrypted.
  • You cannot connect to the campus VPN, but third-party VPN connections are allowed.
  • You cannot access internal Illinois State resources, but you can access public university resources. An internal resource is a website or service that normally requires a VPN connection from off campus.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) network traffic is blocked on all campus wireless networks.

For more information, refer to the following:

ISU-PUBLIC

Anyone can access the "isu-public" wireless network. This open wireless network is only available in Milner Library and does not require a user name or password.

The following restrictions apply to the "isu-public" wireless network:

  • The "isu-public" wireless network is only available in Milner Library.
  • The "isu-public" wireless network is open and unencrypted.
  • You cannot connect to the campus VPN, but third-party VPN connections are allowed.
  • You cannot access internal university resources, but you can access public resources. An internal resource is an Illinois State website or service that normally requires a VPN connection from off campus.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) network traffic is blocked on all campus wireless networks.

For more information, refer to the following:

ISU-RESNET

Intended primarily for students, anyone with a valid ULID and password can connect to "isu-resnet," which is broadcast in the following campus residence halls: Hewett Hall, Manchester Hall, Haynie Hall, Wilkins Hall, and Wright Hall.

Before using a university-owned computer to connect to "isu-resnet" please consult with your department's technical support staff.

The following restrictions apply to "isu-resnet" wireless:

  • A valid ULID and password are required.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) network traffic is blocked on all campus wireless networks.
  • Managed by Cisco Network Access Control (NAC).
  • Gaming consoles cannot connect to "isu-resnet" wireless.
  • Devices like smart phones cannot connect to "isu-resnet wireless.

To use "isu-resnet," your computer must support:

  • MS-PEAP and WPA2/AES

The "isu-resnet" wireless network is managed by Cisco Network Access Control (NAC). Computers connecting to "isu-resnet" must download and run the Cisco NAC agent. This piece of software checks your computer to make sure it complies with the conditions of access. Specifically, Cisco NAC checks to make sure computers are up-to-date with all necessary Windows updates and ensures the computer is running the university-approved version of McAfee VirusScan.

For more information, refer to the following:

SETUP-ISU-RESNET

Primarily intended for students, the "setup-isu-resnet" wireless network is designed to automatically configure your computer for access to "isu-resnet." The "setup-isu-resnet" wireless network is broadcast in all residence hall locations where "isu-resnet" is available.

Before using a university-owned computer to connect to "setup-isu-resnet" please consult with your department's technical support staff.

The following restrictions apply to "setup-isu-resnet" wireless:

  • The "setup-isu-resnet" wireless network is open and unencrypted.
  • Access to off-campus and on-campus resources is extremely limited.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) network traffic is blocked on all campus wireless networks.
  • Only computers (not other devices like smart phones, etc.) are supported on "setup-isu-resnet."

After connecting to "setup-isu-resnet," open a web browser, like Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari. You will automatically be taken to a web page. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your computer for "setup-isu-resnet" wireless. When the configuration is done, your computer will automatically be switched over to the "setup-isu-resnet" wireless network.

ISU-VOICE

The "isu-voice" network provides voice-over-IP (VOIP) over wireless on campus.

The following restrictions apply to the "isu-voice" wireless network:

  • Only wireless VOIP phones provided by and registered through Telecommunications & Networking can connect to "isu-voice."
  • Computers and other devices cannot connect to "isu-voice."
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) network traffic is blocked on all campus wireless networks.
  • For more information on wireless VOIP phones, contact Telecommunications & Networking.

 

Article Information

  • Article ID: 1187
  • Last Review: Sep 15, 2009
  • Type: Article

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