Sidebar

Main Content

AirPennNet

AirPennNet

AirPennNet is a centrally provided wireless service administered by Penn Information Systems and Computing. AirPennNet is based on 802.1X wireless security standards which ensure that only authorized users have access to the network and that all wireless communication is encrypted to protect user privacy.

This page provides information for users of both personal laptops and Library owned lending laptops.

AirPennNet-Guest

AirPennNet-Guest, is a currently available wireless service designed primarily for guests with a short-term affiliation to Penn. Unlike the standard AirPennNet service, traffic on this network other then the actual logon is not encrypted. This service does not require any special software or extensive configuration. Simply join the AirPennNet-Guest wireless network and launch a web browser. You will automatically be directed to a secure logon page where you can authenticate using your PennKey. Once authenticated, you'll have full Internet access.

Important Additional Information: The first time you authenticate to use AirPennNet-Guest network in any given week, there will be a delay of three minutes before you can access the Internet. This is the time it takes to register your computer on the network. You will only experience this the first time you use the service in any given week.

In order to connect to AirPennNet, Windows users need to download and configure SecureW2 client software, which provides 802.1X authentication. Macintosh users simply need to configure their computer for 802.1X authentication; no separate client software is required.

Windows users can download the SecureW2 client by clicking below.

SecureW2 Installer

Windows XP/Vista installation and configuration information is available here:

http://www.library.upenn.edu/locations/airpennnet/winairpennnet.html

Macintosh configuration information is available here:

http://www.library.upenn.edu/locations/airpennnet/macairpennnet.html

To access the wireless network from Library laptops, please follow these directions.

When you first turn on the laptop, it will search for and try to connect to AirPennNet. The process happens automatically within about a minute of the desktop fully loading. You should see an balloon like this in the lower right corner of the screen.

Click on the balloon to authenticate on the network. You'll see a pop up like this:

Enter your Pennkey as the Username and your Pennkey password as the Password. Leave the domain blank. Since you are using a Library laptop, you shouldn't check the box to "Save User Credentials." If you do this accidentally, don't worry. The computer will forget your credentials once it's restarted. Click OK.

You should now be connected to the AirPennNet wireless network.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes the laptop will not automatically connect to the wireless network. This can happen for a variety of reasons including the proximity of the laptop to a wireless access point, problems with application of settings and other network activity. Generally, the problem can be resolved by following these steps.

Right click on the wireless network icon near the lower right corner of the screen. It will look like one of the following.

or

select the item labelled "View Available Wireless Networks."

In the new window that appears, click on the area that has the label AirPennNet. If you don't see a network called AirPennNet, click the the item labelled "Refresh network list" on the upper left of the window. If you still don't see AirPennNet, you are out of range of the network.

Once you have clicked on AirPennNet, you should see a button at the bottom of the window that either says "Connect" or "Disconnect." If it says "Connect" see below. If it says "Disconnect" click on the button. You will receive a warning.

Click Yes.

Now you want to Connect to AirPennNet. Highlight it and click "Connect." You'll see the AirPennNet authentication balloon appear near the lower right corner of the screen.

Click the balloon and you'll see the authentication window.

Enter your Pennkey as the Username and your Pennkey password as the Password. Leave the domain blank. Since you are using a Library laptop, you shouldn't check the box to "Save User Credentials." If you do this accidentally, don't worry. The computer will forget your credentials once it's restarted. Click OK.

You should now be connected to the AirPennNet wireless network.