Accessing the Marist Network
For Windows XP, 2000, Vista and Mac OS X Customers
DECEMBER 4, 2009
Inside:
¾
Getting on the
Network
¾
To install the Cisco
NAC Agent
¾
Logging into the
Cisco NAC Agent
Getting on the network
This document will help you to get on the Marist network and gain access to
the Marist Intranet, the Internet, Internet2, and other network-based
services. In order to provide you with the most stable and available network
possible, Marist is using an automatic registration process. This process
checks your computer and allows you to access our services.
Wired
Connect your computer to a wall jack using a network cable. Network cables
have the appearance of large telephone cables. You should be able to access
the network from any public jack on campus. If you do not have an Ethernet
cable, they are available for purchase from the campus Computer Store.
Also, be sure to disable your wireless adapter to prevent any conflicts. At this
point, you should be ready to log into the Cisco NAC Agent. Please skip the
Wireless section below and begin at Installing the Cisco NAC Agent.
Wireless
There are a couple of steps you need to take to ensure your wireless
connection is established properly. We will go through the steps here:
Step 1: Enable Wireless Adapter
ALL WORDS INSIDE
<> ARE OPTIONS TO
CHOOSE OR BUTTONS TO
PRESS.
First off, if your laptop has a wireless switch, make sure it is set to the on
position. This is most commonly represented as a laptop with radio waves
emanating from its sides.
In addition, it is important to ensure that the wireless adapter is enabled in
the Control Panel. In order to access the configurations, choose Start >
Control Panel > Network Connections (for XP) or Network and Sharing
Center (for Vista).
Step 2: Associate to a Wireless Network
There may be many different SSIDs available to you that bleed over from
surrounding businesses and residents. The campus wide supported SSID is
“Airfox” – when associating to an access point, be sure to connect to this
particular wireless network.
At this point, you will only be able to access the WiWeb page. In order to
connect out to the Internets, you need to establish a VPN connection.
Step 3: Connect to the VPN
As a required security measure, we have a VPN overlay across our wireless
network. This ensures all wireless traffic is encrypted, and no sensitive data
can be stolen out of the air. To launch the Cisco VPN Client, please select
Start > All Programs > Cisco Systems VPN Client > VPN Client. Please login
using your Marist provided credentials (firstname.lastname).
If you do not have the Cisco VPN Client installed and configured on your
laptop, please follow the VPN Installation guide to do so. This guide is
available at http://www.marist.edu/it/network/vpn.html. Once you are
connected to the VPN, you will Automatically be logged into the Cisco NAC
Agent. If you do not have the Cisco NAC Agent installed, please follow the
section below entitled Installing the Cisco NAC Agent.
Installing the Cisco NAC Agent
To connect to the Marist network from either the wired or wireless, it is
necessary to install the Cisco NAC Agent, an application that detects
operating system version, patch level, anti-virus software, and the latest
virus definitions. Cisco NAC Agent is designed for computers running all
types of Windows as well as Mac OS X. This Agent will be loaded only once,
although you may in the future be asked to automatically upgrade it as
newer versions are released.
Open a browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla.
Type in a URL for any site on your browser and press <enter>, here are
some example sites.
a.
b.
c.
www.marist.edu
www.google.com
www.yahoo.com
You should see the Cisco NAC Agent login screen. Type in your Marist
Account and Password, and click “Continue”. If you do not have a Marist
Account or password, contact the Marist HelpDesk at x4357.
If your computer does not have the Cisco NAC Agent installed, you will be
prompted to download and install it. At this screen, click on the “Download
Cisco NAC Agent” button.
When asked if you wish to run or save this agent, select “Run”.
Once the file has been downloaded, you may see this security message. In
this case, you should trust the software and select “Run”. If you see this
message and you do not have good reason to trust the source of the
download, you may wish to think twice before pressing “Run”.
The Cisco NAC Agent will begin installation. When this screen appears, click
"Next" to continue.
Accept the License Agreement and click “Next”
Select the “Complete” Installation and click “Next”
On the Ready to Install the Program click “Install”
Once the installation is complete, click the “Finish” button.
Logging into the Cisco NAC Agent
The Cisco NAC Agent will start automatically. Log in by entering your Marist
Account "User Name" and password in the labeled boxes, then click "Login."
If this is the first time you have logged into the Marist network, you may be
prompted about the Network Use Agreement, Please read and accept the
Network Use Agreement to continue. Also, if your password is expired, you
will be put into the password reset process. Once you’ve created a new
password, you will be able to access the network.
If your computer requires any software updates before you can get on the
network, the NAC Agent pop up screen will provide information regarding the
error and will also provide the remediation link for the user to download the
necessary updates. Clicking “Repair” will start the remediation process.
If your computer has the proper antivirus and critical updates, you will
receive this message. When you click “OK”, the window will close and your
computer will be allowed on the internet.