Computing & Communications Center
Network Operations

Windows XP

WPA Wireless Installation

These directions will walk you through configuring the Windows XP wireless configuration process. While many wireless cards ship with a vendor supplied configuration tool, these tools are too widely varied for us to easily ascertain which ones properly support WPA, and if so, how to configure them. Therefore, we are only able to support the Windows built in configuration process.

Requirements

NOTE - Your wireless card needs to be registered through WPI Network Registration (http://netreg.wpi.edu/) prior to working on the WPI Wireless Network.

Prerequisites for Non-ADMIN Domain Machines

There are two steps which should be completed on any machine that is not a member of the ADMIN domain. The same functionality is automatically provided on domain machines, so they are not necessary in those cases.

Wireless Identity Certificate

Install the wireless certificates using the Installation Tool.

Setup of WPI Wireless Network

  1. Make sure your wireless card is registered through WPI Network Registration (http://netreg.wpi.edu/). Select [Register New Machine], then choose Wireless: Mobile Wireless Systems from the IP Range list.
  2. Open "Network Connections" via Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections
  3. Right click your Wireless Network Connection and select Properties
  4. On the Wireless Networks tab, ensure that Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is checked. If it is not, your wireless setup may not work properly due to third-party software. Please see WPI Network Operations to solve this issue.
  5. Click the Add... button
  6. On the Wireless Network Properties window, use the WPI-Wireless for the Network name parameter.

    For the Wireless network key section, choose the higher WPA2 and AES security configuration:

    • Network Authentication: WPA2
    • Data Encryption: AES

    If WPA2 does not appear as a valid option for Network Authentication, that indicates that either you are missing Service Pack 3, or your network card drivers do not support WPA2. If this is the case, you should check with the manufacturer of your laptop or network card for updated drivers.

  7. On the Authentication tab, use the following information:
    • EAP Type should be set to Smart Card or other Certificate
    • Authenticate as computer when computer information is available should be checked

  8. Click Properties
  9. On the Smart Card or other Certificate Properties window, use the following information:
    • Use a certificate on this computer should be selected
    • Use simple certificate selection (Recommended) should be checked
    • Validate server certificate should be checked
    • In the Trusted Root Certification Authorities area, all instances of WPI NetOps CA should be checked

  10. Click Ok to exit the Smart Card or other Certificate Properties window
  11. Click on the Connection tab
  12. On the Connection tab, select Connect when this network is in range and click Ok
  13. Returning to the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, the WPI-Wireless (Automatic) entry should now be present.
  14. Click Ok to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties window
Your computer should now automatically connect to the WPI-Wireless network.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: Aug 01, 2011, 14:10 EDT
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CCC Network Operations - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Phone: +1-508-831-6666 - Fax: +1-508-831-6669 - netops@wpi.edu