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UMD Wireless Network Access

Wireless service (for 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g) is available throughout most of the UMD main campus, including most classrooms, lecture halls, and study areas (library, coffee house, Kirby Plaza), and most residence halls (see: ResNet for details).

Three separate wireless services are available on campus:

How to access UMD-Wireless service

Signing In

UMDNet Sign-in Window
UMD Network Authentication window

Signing Out

UMDNet Authentication Enabled window

Signing In

  1. On your wireless device, open any web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari). The initial UMD Network Registration window should be automatically displayed.
  2. Click the "Continue" button.
  3. On the UMDNet Authentication window, type in your University Internet (email) user name and password.
  4. If this is your personal computer, you can check "Keep me logged in for the next 90 days" to bypass this authentication window. After 90 days, you will be prompted to authenticate again.
  5. Select the LOGIN button.
  6. Once you have successfully authenticated, the UMD home page will be displayed (http://www.d.umn.edu).

Signing Out

If your network activity is idle for 90 minutes, you will automatically be logged out.

If you wish to manually sign out before that time:

  1. Return to https://port.d.umn.edu
  2. Select the LOGOUT button to close your connection.

How to access UMD-Secure wireless service

Before you can use the UMD-Secure wireless service, you must run the XpressConnect utility to configure your computer or mobile device for access. You will need to be on the UMD network to access and run the utility once. Once your device is configured, you will simply access the UMD-Secure wireless service directly.

Configure your computer or mobile device (one-time)

  1. Connect your computer or mobile device to the UMD network (use a wired connection or the UMD-Wireless service).
  2. Open a web browser and go to this link: http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/network/wpa2
  3. Check "I Accept the Terms of the End User License Agreement" and click "Start."
  4. Follow the on screen prompts to run the XpressConnect utility:
    • If prompted to run the application, select "Run."
    • When prompted for credentials, enter your University Internet/email user name and password.
    • To automatically sign in to the secure wireless network in the future, check "Automatically submit credentials". Select "Continue."
    • If prompted to install additional software, select "Install," then "Continue".
    • If prompted to reboot, select "Yes" to restart your computer.
    • After your computer restarts, you should see the XpressConnect "Welcome to the University of MN Duluth Network" window. Select "Continue."
    • If prompted again, enter your University Internet/email user name and password. To automatically sign in to the secure wireless network in the future, check "Automatically submit credentials". Select "Continue."
    • If prompted to repair a wireless utility conflict, select "Continue" to let XpressConnect continue the auotmatic configuration.
    • A "bubble" should appear indicating "Wireless Network Connection - Click here to select..". Click on the bubble and enter your University Internet/email user name and password when prompted. If you wish to auto connect to UMD-Secure in the future, select "Save my credentials" then "OK."

Connect to the UMD-Secure wireless service

Once your computer or mobile device is configured:

  1. Turn on your computer or mobile device.
  2. If you previously select "Save my credentials" you will be auto connected to UMD-Secure.
  3. If you did not select "Save my credentials" you will see a "bubble" in the lower corner indicating "Wireless Network Connection - Click here to select..". Click on it. On the SecureW2 sign in window, enter your University Internet/email user name and password (leave the domain blank) and select "OK."

Configuration settings

If the XpressConnect utility does not work properly on your laptop or mobile device, you may be able to configure your device manually using these specifications:

Please note that this service is in a pilot phase and we are able to provide only limited troubleshooting. If you can not get the WPA2 software to work, please use the UMD VPN service with the UMD-Wireless.

How to access UMD-Guest wireless service

guest login
  1. Connect your wireless client to the UMD-Guest-Wireless service.
  2. Open a web browser (Firefox, IE) and the "Guest User Rights and Responsibilities" should be displayed. Note that:
    • Guest wireless service is rate-limited and restricted to web-only access (no email, VPN, ftp, access to any authenticated resources such as the Library, etc.).
    • Guest wireless service is available wherever the standard authenticated wireless service is available.
    • Guest wireless service is provided as a short-term service for temporary guests only. UMD ITSS makes no guarantees of service quality to users on the UMD-Guest-Wireless network.
    • UMD students, faculty and staff should not use the UMD-Guest-Wireless SSID. If you have a U of M Internet ID or are affiliated with the University, you should use the UMD-Wireless SSID.
  3. Read the terms, then click "I Accept the Terms of Use" to continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put my own wireless access point on the network?
No. Wireless hubs must be carefully deployed so that they do not interfere with one another. Additionally, University standards require that wireless networking hubs have security and authentication built into them to ensure that unauthorized persons will not be able to gain access to the University network. Because of these and other issues, clients may not install wireless access points (or other network equipment) on the University network. This includes offices and the residence halls. For details, see: Policy on Use of the UMD Network.
Does wireless access replace wired access?
In most cases, wireless technology should be used as an extension to the wired network in areas where wiring is not practical, and not as a replacement for wired connections. A wired connection will, in general, perform better than a wireless connection and will be necessary to support a high-performance network.
What are the security issues with wireless?
There are two major security concerns about using wireless, and we have a solution for each of them.
The first is that the network should be protected to prevent unauthorized people from accessing it. We have done this by creating an authenticated wireless service for business purposes, and a separate guest wireless service for other access. UMD students, faculty and staff should not use the UMD-Guest-Wireless service for University business.
The second concern is that transmissions should be encrypted to prevent snoopers from picking it up as they traverse the air waves. The solution to this problem is to use either use the UMD-Secure wireless service, or use the UMD VPN software on the UMD-Wireless service.

Rev: 4.11 sab

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Last modified on 02/02/12 02:14 PM
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