Apple Airport Configuration

search the site

did you know?

The "nyu" network is now ITS' recommended method of connecting to NYURoam, rather than the method described on this page. Go to the "nyu" setup instructions >>
If you need help after following the setup instructions on this website, you can attend one of ITS' free NYURoam Wireless Workshops for hands-on help. To register, visit the ITS Classes pages.

Update: Connect Using "nyu" Instead

The "nyu" network is ITS' recommended method of connecting to NYURoam, rather than the method described on this page. "nyu" offers enhanced security. In most cases, you should only use the instructions on this page if you are using an older computer that is not compatible with "nyu" (see the "nyu" setup instructions to determine whether your computer is compatible).
Go to the "nyu" configuration instructions >>

About NYU-ROAM2

NYU-ROAM2 is especially designed for Macintosh computers using the built-in AirPort card. No extra software is required to use NYU-ROAM2, though you should make sure that you have installed the latest Software Updates for your computer before proceeding.

If your Macintosh iBook or PowerBook did not come with an AirPort Card already installed, then you need to purchase a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC) and install it according to the instructions that come with the card. (See the Requirements section of this site for more information about the types of NICs you can use with NYURoam.) If you're not sure whether you have an AirPort card installed on your computer, see our step-by-step instructions.

Go to an NYURoam Wireless Access Location

To connect to NYURoam, you will need to be at a location within New York University that offers the service. Please see the NYURoam Access Locations page for the latest list of supported locations.

Configure Your Airport Utility

screenshot illustrating the airport menu.

Click the AirPort icon, located at the top right corner of your screen, and select Turn AirPort On. (When AirPort is on, a series of grey waves will appear within the icon.)
Select Other... from the AirPort menu.
In the Closed Network window, for "Network Name:" type NYU-ROAM2 (capitalized as shown here).
Set "Wireless Security" to LEAP. (If LEAP isn't available, see the alternate configuration information below).
For "User Name:" type, in lower case, your NYU NetID (e.g., aqe123) and for "Password:" type the password you use to access NYUHome.
Click OK to authenticate.

You should now be connected to NYURoam. The only thing that will indicate that your connection was successful (aside from the fact that you can now connect to the Internet) is that the waves in the AirPort icon will turn black to act as a performance indicator for your wireless connection. If all of the waves are black, you have a strong connection. If some of the waves are grey, your connection is not as strong.

To determine the strength of your wireless connection more precisely, select Open Internet Connect... in the AirPort menu. A window opens showing your AirPort signal status.

Summary

Remember to following these steps whenever you wish to use NYU-ROAM2 in the future:

Step 1: Go to a supported NYURoam access location.
Step 2: Configure your Macintosh AirPort card to access NYU-ROAM2, as described above. NOTE: There is no automated way of doing this, and, for security reasons, NYU-ROAM2 will never appear in a list of available networks in your AirPort menu. You will have to perform the easy steps described above each time you wish to connect to NYURoam.

Alternate Configurations, If Needed

If LEAP security is not available and you are using Macintosh OS X 10.2 or above:

In the Closed Network window, set "Wireless Security:" to WEP Password and for "Network Name:" type NYU-ROAM2.
For "Password:" type, in lower case, <netid/password>, where netid is your NetID, and password is your NYUHome password. You must use the forward slash and enclose your NetID and password in less and greater than brackets (e.g., <aqe123/My$afeP$wrd>).
Click OK to authenticate.

If LEAP security is not available and you are using Macintosh OS X 10.1 or below:

In the Closed Network window, for "Network Name" type NYU-ROAM2.
Set "Wireless Security" to Password or WEP Password.
For "Password:" type, in lower case, <netid/password>, where netid is your NetID, and password is your NYUHome password. You must use the forward slash and enclose your NetID and password in less and greater than brackets (e.g., <aqe123/My$afeP$wrd>).
Click OK to authenticate.

Page last reviewed: August 19, 2008