Windows XP - How to Connect to Athens Wireless

Athens is the newest wireless network at CUMC, currently available at specific locations. It is fine to configure your system to connect to both Rome and Athens wireless locations and install both types of software required on computers running Windows XP. For more general information about Athens please see our main wireless page.

Configuring Athens

You must have Administrative privileges when logged into your Windows XP computer in order to install and configure for Athens. If you do not please contact the technical support group for your department. Using Athens involves the following:

1. Downloading and installing the free SecureW2 program.
2. Configuring SecureW2 and your wireless card settings.

In addition, computers that are over a year old should complete the items listed at the bottom of this page to insure that Athens will work properly on their system.

Please try all steps listed on this page before contacting technical support for assistance. Completing an omitted section will often resolve any problems with connecting to Athens.

1. Download and install the SecureW2 Athens program:
   
   1. Go to http://library.cpmc.columbia.edu/ic/cubhis_apps/securew2_athens.exe to download the SecureW2 Athens installer; select "Save" when you are prompted, and note where the installer is saved on your computer.
   2. Select "Run" from the "Download complete" window, or find the securew2_athens.exe file you just saved to your computer, and double-click on it to install.
   3. Be sure to restart your computer after the securew2_athens.exe file runs.
2. Configure your wireless card for Athens:
   1. Go into the Wireless Network Connection's properties (Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections, right-click on the Wireless Network Connection Icon and select Properties)
   2. Select the Wireless Networks tab at the top of the window and double-click on the "athens" listing under the Preferred networks field. If athens is not already listed, select the Add button.

      

   3. If athens is not already listed in the SSID field, type it in.
   4. Select WPA for the Network Authentication and TKIP for Encryption from the respective drop down menus.
      If you do not see the options for WPA and TKIP in the drop down menus, your wireless card cannot access Athens. Check the card manufacturer's web site to see if upgrading the firmware for the card will add WPA and TKIP functionality.

      

   5. Under the Authentication tab, select SecureW2 as the EAP Type.

      

   6. Click on OK to close the Wireless network properties window, then again to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties window. Your computer may pause for a moment as it saves the new settings.

When your computer detects an Athens access point, you should see a pop-up bubble in the lower right corner of your computer screen (if not, you can go into your Wireless Connection Properties as shown above and select the "View Wireless Networks" to search for Athens). Double-click on this to access the SecureW2 Credentials window prompting you to logon.

Use your UNI and password, leaving the Domain field blank. Once you have successfully logged in you will be able to use the network. To switch between Rome and Athens, go back into your Wireless Network Connection properties, refresh the network list if necessary, and select the available network to which you would like to connect.

1. Go back into the Wireless Network Connection Properties window (see step 2.1 above) and select the Wireless Networks tab.
2. If "athens" is not already at the top of the Preferred Networks list, please move to the top. Double click on the word "athens".
3. Make sure that "WPA" and "TKIP" are selected in the appropriate fields (see step 2.4 above).
4. Select the Authentication tab and verify that the "EAP type" field lists "SecureW2" (see step 2.5 above).
5. Select the Properties button.
6. Select Configure, then the Connection tab and make sure that "Use alternate outer identity" is checked.
7. Under the Certificates tab, make sure "Verify server certificates" option is NOT checked.
8. Under the User Account tab, you may enter your UNI and password if you'd like it to auto-login when Athens is present - do not do so if you are configuring a computer that is shared by others. The Domain field must remain blank.
9. Make sure that "Use this account to logon computer" is NOT checked.
10. Select the OK button at the next three windows to save these settings and exit the Wireless Network Connection Properties.

You should now either be prompted to logon to the SecureW2 Credentials window (see picture directly above), or already have logged in if you saved your UNI and password. Open your computer's web browser to verify that you have successfully connected to Athens when in range.

Systems and Cards Requiring Updates
Please try these steps if your computer or wireless card are over a year old, or if you have completed all of the steps above and cannot connect.

• Download and install the latest Windows Updates for your computer:
  Run Windows Update from your Start menu, or go to http://www.windowsupdate.com
  using Internet Explorer and follow the instructions on the site.
• Update the BIOS on your computer. Check your computer manufacturer's web site for BIOS updates to insure that it has the latest BIOS code, which recognizes and controls the various devices that make up the computer.
• Verify that the chipset on your computer's wireless card will allow for WPA authentication and TKIP encryption. If you do not have documentation about your computer or wireless card with this information, you can use the Windows Device Manager to determine the wireless card's manufacturer and model. Then check the manufacturer's web site to verify support for WPA and TKIP.
  To access the Device Manager, right-click the icon for "My Computer" and select "Manage". Select Device Manager under the System Tools folder. Then find the entry for your wireless adapter.
• Download and install the latest firmware for your wireless card. Go to the web site for the wireless card's manufacturer, then check their Support or Download page for firmware updates. Be sure you download any firmware updates completely, and do not interrupt while updating.