Overview
This document will help you set up MSUnet Wireless access on your on-campus Macintosh running MacOS X 10.3.x Panther or 10.4.x Tiger, with an Airport or compatible wireless card installed.NOTE: It is mandatory that you must have Javascript enabled for MSUnet Wireless access. This should already be enabled, as it is by default in most browsers.
Before you begin
You must already have a valid MSU NetID for full MSUnet Wireless access. If you do not have a valid MSU NetID, limited guest access is available through the MSUnet Wireless Guest SSID.It is strongly recommended that you enable your internet firewall.
Step 1: Go to System Preferences
Click the "Apple" pulldown menu from your desktop and click "System Preferences."
Step 2: Go to the Network Menu
The "System Preferences" window should open. Select "Network."
Step 3: Network Configuration - AirPort tab
The "Network" window should open. If it's not already selected, please click the "AirPort" tab.- Click the "By default, join:" pulldown menu and select "A specific network"
- Click the "Network" pulldown menu and select MSUnet Wireless
- Click the "Show AirPort status in menu bar" box if it isn't already clicked.
Note on receiving other wireless networks (SSIDs)
(An SSID, or "Service Set Identifier", is the name used by a wireless card to identify itself to a specific wireless network. In the MacOS X Airport network setup, this is referred to simply as the "Network" name. In this case, the main SSID of the centralized campus wireless network is "MSUnet Wireless". Refer to the screen shot in step 4 above).If you do not see MSUnet Wireless as an option in the "Network" pulldown list, then if you chose the "Automatic" location option in step 3, or if you chose the "Join Network with best signal" option, then you may be connecting to another wireless network or SSID. This will especially be the case in buildings that do not have the "MSUnet Wireless" sign or logo displayed. Check with the network administrator of that building for information on and help with other available wireless networks.
It may also be that you're connected to the MSUnet Wireless Guest SSID, which has restricted access. MSU users with a valid NetID should choose the standard MSUnet Wireless SSID when possible.
Step 4: Network Configuration - TCP/IP tab
Click the "TCP/IP" tab.- Click the "Location" pulldown menu; select "New Location...", type MSUnet Wireless, and click OK.
- Click the "Show" pulldown menu and select "Airport."
- Click the "Configure IPv4" pulldown menu and select "Using DHCP."
Step 5: Airport Status in menu bar
If your Airport card has successfully connected to MSUnet Wireless, the Airport status signal in the menu bar on the top right of your screen should look like the image below. The closer you are to the wireless access point, the more bars will be blacked out.
Step 6: MSUnet Wireless Access login
After you have configured your network settings, you must use a web browser to register your computer with MSUnet Wireless for full network access. Each time you log into MSUnet Wireless, you remain authenticated for as long as you use the connection. Authentication times out after 8 hours of inactivity; you will only have to log in after not having been connected to the Internet for 8 hours.To register your computer, follow the instructions below.
- Launch your web browser.
- Browse to http://wireless.msu.edu/. If your browser displays the requested webpage then you are already connected. Otherwise, you will be redirected to the MSU wireless authentication page.
- If prompted, accept the certificate "for this session only"
- Note: different browsers display the certificate uniquely. For examples of what you should see when viewing a certificate, please click here.
- Log in using your MSU NetID and NetID (E-mail) password.
Successful login
If you logged in successfully, you should see the following popup screen:
Logging out (optional)
Once you successfully login, you should see a pop-up window similar to the one above (if you have disabled pop-ups in your system or web browser, you will need to re-enable them; or alternatively, browse to https://wireless.msu.edu/logout.html to see the window above).
This popup window is intended to remain in the background to provide an easy means for you to logout. It is not necessary to do so, but if you wish to logout at any time, click the Logout button. You will see the following popup screen. As it states, to complete the log off process and to prevent access to unauthorized users, you must close all browser windows and quit the browser application. Once you do this, you must log back in (starting at Step 6 above) to gain network access again.
