Many wireless users across Penn State have been experiencing problems connecting to Penn State wireless. On October 11, 2016, Penn State technical staff will address this issue by upgrading certificates on the servers used for authenticating to the “psu” and “eduroam” wireless networks.
To avoid disruptions connecting to Penn State wireless after 6:00 a.m. on October 11, students, faculty, staff, and visitors at every Penn State location are encouraged to update the wireless setup on each of their non-Android laptops, tablets, smartphones, or other wireless-enabled devices. Making the required updates in advance—which should only take a few minutes—will help wireless users avoid delays connecting to the “psu” and “eduroam” wireless networks on and after October 11.
Please note that this wireless update does not apply to desktop workstations that are hardwired to the Libraries’ network or to Android devices. Individuals who use Android devices do not need to update their wireless devices.
What Does This Mean for You?
Libraries owned laptops: I-Tech has updated all laptops owned by the Libraries that have an IP address, i.e., those with a dock or cable connecting the laptop to a wall jack. In addition, I-Tech staff will contact units that have wireless only laptops, i.e., those with no cable connecting the laptop to the wall jack, or other laptops to which we could not push out the upgrade and get them updated. No further action is required on these devices.
Libraries owned iPads or other wireless devices: You can either update the wireless setup yourself following the steps outlined on wireless.psu.edu/update or contact I-Tech via the Libraries Helpdesk or by calling 814-863-0647.
Personal devices: Updating of wireless on personally owned devices is your responsibility. You can update the wireless setup yourself following the steps outlined on wireless.psu.edu/update. If you need assistance updating your device, you can bring your device to your local IT service desk. Refer to wireless.psu.edu/update for a list of IT service desk locations. For Pattee/Paterno Libraries, the closest ITS Service Desk is in the Knowledge Commons.
What If I Miss the October 11 Deadline?
Wireless users who do not take action by 6:00 a.m. on October 11 will not be able to connect to “psu” or “eduroam” wireless at any Penn State location. In this case you will need to connect to the “psuwirelesssetup” wireless network, visit wireless.psu.edu, and follow the wireless setup instructions to be able to connect to “psu” or “eduroam” wireless.
Additional Information
ITS will send an initial mass email about the wireless update to students, faculty and staff tomorrow, September 22. Reminder emails will be sent on October 3 and October 10.
Detailed wireless setup instructions, answers to frequently asked questions, and contact information for IT service desk locations at each campus are available at wireless.psu.edu/update.
The new wireless setup can be completed multiple times without issue. If users forget whether or not they have already gone through the process they can repeat it without any problem.
Penn State WebAccess and VPN (Virtual Private Network) will not be affected.
If you have any questions or concerns, please submit a service request ticket to the Libraries Helpdesk or call 814-863-0647.
– submitted by Dace Freivalds, I-Tech
