The Office of Technology Services is in the process of upgrading the wireless infrastructure on Main Campus to a faster and more robust wireless standard known as Wireless N or 802.11n. As this new network, “IIT-WiFi,” is being rolled out on campus, OTS will also introduce secure wireless. The “IIT-Secure” connection will be activated on Friday, June 15, making secure wireless available in Wireless N enabled buildings on Main Campus. This secure network will initially be available in addition to existing wireless connections, such as and “IIT-WiFi”, but ultimately all OTS wireless networks will be secure. All buildings where Wireless N is enabled will be secure-only by the start of the Spring 2013 semester.
Secure wireless is important because it protects users by encrypting all data sent between wireless devices and the wireless access point. Users must authenticate with their IIT email address and myIIT password in order to use the “IIT-Secure” wireless network. Wireless devices must also be capable of connecting to a Wireless N secure network. Most newer computers, tablets, and smart phones are able to do so.
Locations where secure Wireless N will be available on June 15 include:
- Housing buildings: Carman Hall, Gunsaulus Hall, MSV (all buildings), SSV (all buildings), Sororities and Fraternities (excluding SPE and ASP Houses, which do not have IIT wireless installed)
- Academic/administrative buildings: Crown Hall, Galvin Library, Herman Hall, Idea Shop (TBC basement), Incubator South, Keating Hall, Life Sciences Building, Machinery Hall (already present), Main Building (IIT-Secure only), MTCC, Research Tower (16th & 19th Floors), Siegel Hall and Stuart Building.
- Going forward, secure wireless will be available in any location where wireless services are upgraded to Wireless N.
OTS offers several tools to help configure and connect computers and other devices to “IIT-Secure.”
An online tool to automatically configure individual devices can be accessed at: www.iit.edu/ots/xpc. Users will be required to authenticate with their myIIT username and password.
Some devices are not compatible with the automated configuration tool and must be connected to secure wireless manually. Directions to configure common computers and mobile devices can be found at: www.iit.edu/ots/secure_wireless.shtml
If you have any questions about the wireless service or how to set up your computer to connect to “IIT-Secure” please contact the OTS Support Desk at supportdesk@iit.edu or 312.567.3375.