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University of Montana campus wireless protocol makes improvements

To allow computer users more convenient access to The University of Montana’s wireless network, the protocol for wireless access will change on Tuesday, May 18.

Contact: Vicki Pengelly, director of client services, 243-2405.

http://www.umt.edu/urelations/releases/2004/051304wire.htm

Users will be able to connect using any industry standard 802.11b wireless access card in combination with Cisco Virtual Private Networking software. VPN is free to registered users from UM’s Computing and Information Services Help Desk. New users must register to obtain a wireless access user name and password, but then can quickly and easily configure their computers to work with the new protocols. Existing users will need to make a few simple configuration changes in order to continue using wireless access after May 18.

Details for new and existing users are available at http://www.umt.edu/wireless . Existing users who have trouble making the required configuration changes or new users who want to set up access accounts should contact the Help Desk at [email protected].

The change is a result of a decision by UM-Missoula’s Information Technology Office to move away from Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol, which has been supported on only a few, more expensive access cards. The change will open the door to connectivity through the vast majority of access cards or built-in wireless facilities in portable computers that support 802.11b but may not support LEAP.

This is the first step in broadening wireless access at UM. This summer, the ITO hopes to resolve remaining limitations and be able to support personal digital assistants and other handheld devices.

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