Penn State Wireless for Departments
We've Got You Covered – No Wires Attached!
Data security is of primary importance. With wireless technology anyone within range using the right equipment could eavesdrop and gain access to the wireless system.
Penn State Wireless 1.0 offers authentication and user accountability so that you can feel confident that your data transfers are safe while being transmitted via the Virtual Private Network (VPN). However, both the sending and receiving computers must also have appropriate security standards. Choose one of the following services based on your needs or current configuration.
- Penn State Wireless: Your college or department can work with Information Technology Services (ITS) to create wireless networking areas in your building. ITS can design, implement and maintain a wireless LAN network for you. Contact TNS through the web service inquiry form (Special Projects Design Request Form) or phone (814) 865-6580.
- Penn State Wireless Assist: ITS also offers an easy and secure method for interconnecting your existing wireless LAN to the Penn State Wireless network using state-of-the-art encryption technology. Contact TNS through the web service inquiry form (Special Projects Design Request Form) or phone (814) 865-6580 to begin the process. Use our criteria checklist to guide you through the configurations necessary to interconnect with Penn State Wireless.
Penn State Wireless 2.0 The next generation of Penn State Wireless Services connects to a wireless signal named "psu" and does not require wireless users to utilize the University's wireless Virtual Private Network (VPN) client to connect to Penn State and Internet resources. This service incorporates recent authentication and encryption methods that are aimed at providing an improved level of security and performance. The Penn State Wireless 2.0 service will operate simultaneously with the legacy Penn State Wireless 1.0 service that uses the VPN overlay for authentication and encryption until the VPN is discontinued on June 30, 2011.
- Penn State Wireless 2.0: Departmental inquiries or requests for Wireless 2.0 service should be submitted through the TNS Web Service Inquiry Form or by calling 814-865-1696.
- Before requesting Penn State Wireless 2.0, we recommend that you review the explanation of wireless 2.0 for network administrators PDF document (revised June 18, 2009) that provides details about the operation and configuration parameters for the service.
Penn State Visitor Wireless service has been developed to enable any 802.11 device to receive Internet Services from a third party provider.
- Visitor Wireless: Campuses, Colleges, and Departments may opt-in to have Visitor Wireless in their building(s) or in certain areas of their building(s). There is no cost for the service when added to existing Penn State Wireless networks.
Before requesting any of Penn State's Wireless service(s), we recommend that you review the Penn State Wireless FAQ.
Whatever Your Wireless Needs; We Can Help.
