Wireless Computing now Available at the HUB
Secure and high speed wireless networking access, known as
ITS Wireless SecureNet, is now available at the Hetzel Union Building
(HUB) on the University Park campus. Using wireless connections enables
laptops to remain portable without sacrificing the advantages that come with
being connected to a network. Although wireless networks can't substitute
for the traditional higher-speed wired connections on campus, they offer
a great deal of convenience for simple applications like e-mail
exchanges, Web browsing, presentations, and file sharing.
To begin enjoying the mobility and convenience of
wireless computing at the HUB, members of the Penn State community will need:
a wireless-capable laptop, a wireless adapter card, and the Virtual
Private Network (VPN) software available at
https://www.work.psu.edu/access/vpn/ (which provides a
secure network connection between individual laptops and Penn
State networking resources).
Using Wireless
1. What Do I Need?
- Hardware: A "wireless capable" laptop, such as those that
are wireless-ready or that have a PCMCIA card slot. You can purchase a
wireless adapter card from the University's Computer Store at
http://computerstore.psu.edu/ under the
category of "modems--Ethernet
and networking," from the "Select a category" pull down menu.
- Software: At
https://www.work.psu.edu/access/vpn/
download and configure the Virtual Private Network (VPN) software according to the instructions at
http://aset.its.psu.edu/vpn/sampleconfig.html
on the Web. VPN enables you to have a secure
network connection between your laptop and Penn State's VPN server and to
access Penn State networking resources. VPN software clients for Linux,
Windows, and Mac OSX are available for download as well as
documentation and installation instructions for
each client.
- Penn State Access Account: Access Accounts (see
http://css.its.psu.edu/accounts/access.html)
enable Penn State students, faculty, and staff to use the full range
of Internet Services (see
http://css.its.psu.edu/internet/summary.html
) including wireless network services.
2. Unplug and Fire Up a Connection!
It's easy to get connected to ITS Wireless SecureNet. All you have
to do is:
- Power up your laptop.
- Launch your VPN client software.
- Use the wireless network for your tasks.
- Disconnect the VPN client when you are done.
To learn more about Penn State's wireless service, please go
to: http://its.psu.edu/wireless/
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