While students adjusted to the start of the school year, they also adjusted to a new way of signing up for campus wireless Internet.
“The wireless itself is not different, so all of the access points are the same and the wireless controller, all of that has stayed the same. Basically what we changed is called the Network Access Control system or NAC as it is called,” said Network Technician Kelly Phillips.
The NAC software authenticates and determines who can use the university’s network. This system also puts in place security measures for the wireless network. The university updated from Cisco Clean Access to a program called Cisco Identity Services Engine or ISE.
Students now have their choice of multiple anti-virus programs.
“You used to have to use Trend Micro as an anti-virus. That was the requirement, so now we’ve been able to open it up to have four different anti-virus software programs” said Phillips.
Students may choose from Trend Micro, Norton, Avast and Microsoft Security Essentials to use as anti-virus software.
“I feel like since the change the Wi-Fi connects right away and is better and faster than it was last year,” said junior marketing major Sarah Pulice.
Phillips reminds students that for the wireless network to work properly, students must keep their operating systems and anti-virus software up-to-date.
Another requirement of the new NAC system is that all students who own a PC have all Windows updates installed and up-to-date. Without current systems, students will not access wireless.
“The reason behind this is to keep infected computers off of the network, because if an infected computer gets on, then it can infect everyone else,” said Phillips.
While the changes primarily affect PC users, students who use MAC computers also have to register, as do all smartphone users.
Some students had difficulties logging on to the network for the first time.
“I had no problems with getting my iPhone to work, but registering my tablet was complicated. I really don’t want to even try to get my laptop on the Wi-Fi,” said junior nursing major Laura Russo.
To help ease the transition, the Student Help Desk posted instructions for changing anti-virus software and registering devices.
“For people who aren’t familiar with their anti-virus software and PC updates, there will be a little bit of a learning curve, but I think as everyone gets used to it the process will get easier but it is definitely a change for everybody,” said Phillips.
Students also must register their devices online instead of taking their devices to the Student Help Desk to get hooked onto the wireless network as they previously have done.
Now students do not have to register their devices each year, and they are able to go to the device portal and add up to five devices. They may also delete old ones.
“ Say you get a new iPhone and you go on to register it, you can delete your old phone to make space for your new one,” said Phillips.
“I think that has been the biggest change, and also there is more responsibility on the end-user making sure everything is up-to-date,” said Phillips.
Phillips said that once everyone was connected to the network that the transition went seamlessly.
Questions regarding the new Wi-Fi changes or for help registering devices or connecting to the system should be directed to the Student Help Desk in Mercy Hall room 23 or at 570-674-8087. A list of Help Desk hours can also be found on the E-MU student portal under the Around Campus tab.