Wireless Access to the USC Network - Mac OS 10.4

USC's wireless network provides users with network connectivity from most outdoor common areas, libraries, auditoriums, on-campus eateries and the University Village Food Court. See a list of wireless locations.

What You'll Need before Connecting
To gain wireless access to the USC Network you'll need the following:

• Apple AirPort networking card or AirPort compatible, 802.11b, g or n PCMCIA card installed in your computer
• Power Macintosh G4 or higher, Powerbook G3 and up, iBook, or slot loading iMac
• Mac OS 10.4

If Your Computer Doesn't Meet these Requirements
If your computer does not meet these requirements, you may still gain wireless access to the USC Network, however the instructions on this web site may not work with your computer. If you have a problem with an unsupported wireless card, contact the manufacturer or reseller of your equipment and ask for assistance in connecting your computer to a WEP IEEE 802.11b TCP/IP network using DHCP. ITS does not support configuration of any third party PCMCIA cards. See the USC Wireless Support web page for details.

Configuring Your Computer to Connect to the USC Wireless Network
Registering Your Airport ID
Getting Help

Warning: The USC Wireless network is an open network. All traffic is passed in the plain with no encryption. Take caution in the data you pass. For added security and for access to USC IP protected resources, install the Cisco VPN 3000 client.

Configuring Your Computer to Connect to the USC Wireless Network

Follow the steps below to configure your computer for the USC wireless network:

1. Under the Apple menu, select System Preferences (see Figure 1).

   
   Figure 1: System Preferences Window

2. Click Network.
   
   Result: The Network preferences panel appears.

   
   Figure 2: Network Preferences Panel

3. If the settings appear to be grayed out, you need to authorize yourself as an Administrator. Click the Lock image at the bottom left corner of the Network preferences window.
   
   Result: The Authentication dialog appears (see Figure 3).

   
   Figure 3: Authentication Dialog

4. In the Authentication dialog, enter an administrator username and password. If you are not an Administrator of the machine, you need to have the administrator of the machine unlock the Network preferences for you.

Once you've successfully unlocked the Network preferences, they become active. You can now continue with the configuration.

5. Under the Location dropdown menu, select New Location.
Result: The New Location dialog appears (see Figure 4).


Figure 4: New Location Dialog

6. Name your new location USC Wireless and click OK.
7. Under the Show dropdown menu, select Network Port Configurations
   
   Result: The Network Port Configurations window appears (see Figure 5).

   
   Figure 5: Network Port Configurations Window

8. Uncheck all ports other than Airport.
9. Drag AirPort to the top of the list (see Figure 5).
10. Click Apply Now.
11. Under Show, select Airport.
12. Click the TCP/IP tab.
Result: The TCP/IP settings appear (see Figure 6).


Figure 6: TCP/IP Window with Using DHCP Selected

13. Under the Configure dropdown menu, select Using DHCP (see Figure 6).
14. Click the AirPort tab.
    
    Result: The AirPort settings appear (see Figure 7).

    
    Figure 7: AirPort Window

15. Under the By default, join dropdown menu, select Preferred networks.
Result: The Preferred networks options will appear (see Figure 8).


Figure 8: Preferred networks Options

16. Click the + button.

17. Result: The Network Name dialog will appear (see Figure 9).

    
    Figure 9: Network Name Dialog

18. In the Network Name field type USC Wireless.
19. Under the Wireless Security dropdown menu, select None.
20. Click the OK button to return to the Preferred networks options. Result: USC Wireless will appear in the Preferred networks options (see Figure 8).

    
    Figure 8: Preferred networks Options with Network Name

21. Select Show AirPort status in menu bar.
22. Click the Apply Now button in the lower right hand of the Network preferences window.
23. Close the System Preferences window.

Registering Your Airport ID
Registration of your MAC, or physical address, is not currently required. However, registration is highly recommended so that network notifications can be quickly directed to you. Open a web browser application (i.e., Safari, or Firefox). You should be automatically taken to the Network Registration Page web page. Enter your USC username and password and click Submit. A success message will appear to notify you that your MAC address/Physical address has been registered.

WARNING: Your data and personal information are at risk unless you use VPN Software. ITS strongly recommends that you use VPN when using your wireless connection.

Getting Help
To get help with wireless access to the USC Network, contact the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555 or consult@usc.edu.

Last updated: Monday, September 29, 2008, 11:11AM PDT