Using PDAs with NYURoam

Requirements

You can connect to NYURoam with your WiFi enabled handheld device via the nyupda SSID, provided your device is running one of these operating systems:

• Palm OS
• Windows CE
• Apple iPhone
• Apple iPod Touch

In order to connect, your device must also support the 802.11b or 802.11g WiFi standard.

Please note: All nyupda users should be aware that although the initial authentication process is encrypted, thus protecting your NetID account information, not all subsequent data transmitted to and from your handheld will be encrypted by the network. It is up to you to ensure that your data is protected (i.e., by using SSL enabled applications).

Configure

• Overview
• Configuration Instructions

Overview

You can use your WiFi enabled handheld device to connect to the NYURoam wireless network via the nyupda SSID. No special client software or features are required to access the network.

In order to connect to NYURoam via your WiFi enabled handheld device, you will need to do the following (described in more detail below):

1. Go to an NYURoam Wireless Access Location

You must be at a designated NYURoam Wireless access loation to receive a signal from NYURoam. Click here for the complete list of locations.

2. Connect and authenticate your connection

Since NYURoam is not available to the general public, your wireless adapter will need to be set up and authenticated as instructed below.

3. Connect to NYURoam

Once you have completed the two steps above, you will be able to receive a signal from NYURoam.

Configuration Instructions

Note: Configuring handhelds that support LEAP
Step 1: Configure Your Wireless Client
Step 2: Authenticate & Connect

Note: Configuring handhelds that support LEAP

It should be noted that several handhelds have wireless clients that support LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol). If your handheld supports LEAP, you are encouraged to use it. Not only will this allow you to authenticate using your NYU NetID, but your radio network traffic will be fully secure and encrypted. If LEAP is an option for you, you'll be accessing the NYU-ROAM2 network (not nyupda). You need only set your wireless client to use LEAP, point your wireless client to the NYU-ROAM2 network and provide your NetID username and password as requested by your wireless client. No other configuration settings are needed.

Step 1. Configure your handheld's wireless client

1. Go to your handheld wireless client and configure it to use the SSID: nyupda
2. Make sure the Authentication type is set to Open.
3. No encryption is used, so disable the use of WEP.

Once this configuration is in place, your handheld wireless client should associate with and obtain an IP address from the nyupda wireless network.

Step 2: Authenticate & connect

Once your handheld is associated with nyupda, start up your web browser and attempt to access any URL (i.e., www.nyu.edu). Your connection attempt will be detected by the security gateway and you will be presented with a login screen resembling Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Login Screen

Enter your NYU NetID and password in the appropriate fields and then click on ENTER. Once you've been properly authenticated, the screen will clear and text will appear:

NYURoam Wireless PDA Access (Palm OS) (or Windows CE)

[Logon Information]

You have been successfully logged on the network.

• http://www.nyu.edu (Note: This field is the URL you originally entered.)
• Time Logged on: Date & Time
• User Session: 720 minutes

[Logout Information]

To log yourself off the network, please click on the logout button.

[LOGOUT]

In order to continue, click on the link on your screen (the original URL you entered) and you will be permitted to proceed to that website.

Note that on some handhelds, you may see the following warning appear upon selecting the link:

You are about to leave an SSL-encrypted connection. It will be possible for others to view information you send.

Do you want to continue?

Yes / No

This serves to alert you to an IMPORTANT security issue regarding the nature of your wireless connection.

All nyupda users should be aware that although the initial authentication process is encrypted, thus protecting your NetID account information, not all subsequent data transmitted to and from your handheld will be encrypted by the network. It is up to you to ensure that your data is protected (i.e., by using SSL enabled applications).

Page last reviewed: August 6, 2007