Which Connection Method Should I Use to Connect?

Overview

Your guest account user name and password let you connect to the campus network in two ways: through UIUCnet QuickConnect or through the CITES VPN.

QuickConnect will be a good solution for you if:

• You are on campus.
• You only need common Internet services: email, web browsing, and some IM clients.
• You are using an older Mac computer (pre-OS X 10.2), an older Windows computer (pre-Windows 2000), or a handheld device (Palm or Windows CE/Windows Mobile).

The CITES VPN will be a good solution for you if:

• You need to connect to UIUCnet from an off-campus location while you're visiting.
• You need more security for the information you are sending across a wireless network.
• You need to access types of networking that QuickConnect will not support.
  

Connecting with UIUCnet QuickConnect

UIUCnet QuickConnect is an easy way to access the Internet on campus. It works with both UIUCnet Wireless and Walkup networking. You won't need to install any extra software, and it works through any browser that will permit you to visit secure web sites, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

Since QuickConnect allows only low-risk networking activities, you may not be able to access some online resources. Learn more about what QuickConnect permits at UIUCnet QuickConnect and Security.

To use QuickConnect:

1. Open a browser window and try to access any http:// web site, such as http://www.uiuc.edu.
2. When the QuickConnect login screen appears, click the Login button.
3. In the first authentication screen, you will enter your guest account username.
4. The second authentication screen will ask for your password. Enter the password that you were given with your guest account username.
5. Once you've successfully entered your login name and password, you're connected to the network.

Note: You may wish to allow pop-ups from the QuickConnect system if you plan to stay connected for more than an hour. While it is open, the QuickConnect pop-up maintains your login credentials with the server; otherwise, you will need to log in again at the end of each hour.

Connecting with the CITES VPN

The CITES VPN is the only way a guest account user can connect to UIUCnet from off campus. It adds extra security to your connection and identifies you as an authorized campus guest, so that you can access more online resources.

To get started with the CITES VPN , you'll need to configure your computer's VPN client (built into most modern operating systems) to connect to the CITES VPN.

Guests use a different connection method than campus students, faculty, and staff do. To see guest-specific configuration directions for your computer, select your operating system below:

• Guest directions for Windows 2000
• Guest directions for Windows XP
• Guest directions for Windows Vista
• Guest directions for Mac OS X 10.2 to 10.4
• Guest directions for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
• Guest directions for other operating systems

After connecting: Once you have successfully connected, you will have access to both the UIUCnet network and the Internet beyond it. See CITES VPN for wireless users and/or CITES VPN for wired users for more details about what this means for you.

Note: For information about other CITES guest services, see the Guest Services section.