Page Updated: December 14, 2012

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Configuring Windows 7 for MASON-SECURE

In order to connect to the MASON-SECURE network on a Windows machine, the network must first be setup from within the control panel. Trying to connect to the network prior to this will result in being prompted for a username and password repeatedly. Hitting cancel instead of typing in credentials will prevent the prompt from recurring.

STEP 1:
Open the Start menu and type “Manage Wireless Networks” into the search field. Then select the link that appears to proceed to the Wireless Network Manager.

STEP 2:
On the top left hand side of the Wireless Network Manager click on the Add button to add an additional Wireless network. (If MASON-SECURE already exists, right click on it and remove it.)

STEP 3:
Select the top option to “Manually create a network profile” in the window that appears.

STEP 4:
Fill in the “Network name” field with “MASON-SECURE” and make sure that the “Security type” is set to either “802.1x” or “WPA2-Enterprise.” If using WPA2-Enterprise, check that the “Encryption type” is set to “AES” before clicking next, otherwise it should be “WEP” for 802.1x.

STEP 5:
You should now be at a window that states that you have successfully added the MASON-SECURE network. On this screen click the option to “Change connection settings”.

STEP 6:
A window titled “MASON-SECURE Wireless Network Properties” should now be on the screen. Select the “Security” tab up at the top and proceed by clicking on the “Settings” button.

STEP 7:
In the window titled “Protected EAP Properties” that appears check the Trusted Root Certificate Authority titled “AddTrust External CA Root.” If this does not appear in the list shown, download the certificate. Before clicking OK in the “Protected EAP Properties” window, click “Configure” down towards the bottom on the right

STEP 8:
Uncheck the box to automatically use your Windows logon name and password unless your logon credentials match your MESA credentials (This would be the case if you log into MESA on your computer). Then click OK twice.

STEP 9: Security Settings
Now click the “Advanced settings" button and check the box to “Specify authentication mode:” as User authentication, then click "OK." Now that User authentication has been selected, you will be permitted to click the “Save credentials” button.

STEP 10:
Click the button and have the user type in their MESA credentials. (You should only do this if the laptop is not public!). Close out the Wireless and Network Configuration tool and connect to MASON-SECURE.