Configuring Mac OS X 10.5.3 "Leopard" for Lehigh's secure wireless network "lu" using 802.1x/PEAP

Please Note: Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" uses a slightly different procedure (see the Tiger 802.1x document instead.)
These instructions are written for 10.5.3 "Leopard" and later. If you have an earlier version of 10.5.x, we recommend running Software Update before continuing with these instructions.

Step 1 : Confirm that AirPort is Enabled and turned OFF.

Go to a place that provides access to the Lehigh 802.1x secure wireless network "lu". For current wireless locations on campus, see the Lehigh Wireless Computing web page. To complete these instructions you will need to establish a connection to the network and authenticate with your Lehigh ID and password.

Open the System Preferences by selecting it from the Apple menu as shown in the image to the right.

Click on the Network icon located in the Internet and Network area of the System Preferences screen

You should initially see a window that looks something like the one below.

Note that to make changes on any of the Network preference screens shown here, the yellow padlock graphic in the lower left corner should appear unlocked. If it's locked, you should click on the lock and enter your username and password. You may need to be logged into Mac OS X as an administrative user with privileges to make these changes.

The box "Ask to join new networks" should be UNCHECKED. "Show AirPort status in menu bar" should be CHECKED.

Step 2: Configure Advanced AirPort Settings.

Click the Advanced button in the lower right corner of the Network preference pane, then click on the 802.1x tab.

You should see a screen that looks like the following:

Make sure that there are no "lu" listings already present in the Preferred Networks at this stage.

Step 2b: Click on the plus sign just below the Preferred Networks pane to add a new network.

Step 2c: In the pop-up window Enter the name of the network, type in the following information:

Network Name : type in "lu" (two letters, without quotes)
Security: choose "802.1X WEP" from the drop down menu
User Name : your Lehigh ID
Password: leave this blank
802.1X: make sure "Automatic" is selected
Check the box labeled "Remember this network"

Click Add.

Step 2d: Back on the Network preference pane, click Apply.

Step 3: Turn On AirPort and Connect to "lu"

The Network preference pane should still be open showing AirPort OFF. Do not attempt to turn on AirPort from this screen or choose a network from the Network Name menu! The following method has proven to be more reliable.

Step 3a: From the AirPort drop-down menu, located in the menubar at the upper right of the screen, choose Turn AirPort On.

Select "lu" from the AirPort menu.

Step 3b: You will be prompted with a Verify Certificate screen that looks like the following:

Click the Show Certificate button, then click on the small triangle next to the word "Trust" below the certificate graphic.

Step 3c: Change the setting for the field "When using this certificate:" to "Always Trust" and click the Continue button.

Step 3d: You will be prompted to enter your password and then you will be connected to Lehigh's wireless network.

The Network preference pane, if you have left it open, should show "Status: Authenticated via PEAP (Inner Protocol MSCHAPv2)" and display a Connect Time.

You may now close the Network preference pane.

Using the Lehigh8021x configuration

Once the 802.1x configuration has been defined for "lu", all subsequent connections handled via the AirPort menu.
To connect, Turn AirPort on, choose "lu" from the network list, and enter your password when prompted.

To disconnect, Turn AirPort off.