At IUB and IUPUI, what is a Network Access account, and how do I get one?

At Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI, you can get temporary wireless access to the Internet by obtaining a Network Access account. UITS provides this account for IU visitors who need to access the Internet via their personal computers while on campus.

Note: Indiana University and Purdue University have implemented a partnership that allows researchers and visitors wireless access to their own networks from each other's campuses. For more information, see Wireless access at Indiana University and Purdue University.

On this page:

• Obtaining a Network Access account
• Configuring your computer
• What you can access

Obtaining a Network Access account

To obtain a Network Access account, a full-time IU faculty or staff member must sponsor you. The sponsor must submit an online account assignment form, and state why you need IU network access. In addition to setting a start and end date for your account, the sponsor must ensure that you read, agree to, and follow the rules and guidelines contained in the Computer Users' Privileges and Responsibilities.

If you are sponsoring a Network Access account, follow the directions below:

1. Go to Policies related to Network Access Accounts.
   
   
2. Read the policies, and click I agree. (If you do not agree with the policies, click Log Off to end the account assignment process.)
   
   
3. In the fields provided, enter the information for the person you're sponsoring. In the "Justification:" field, state why this person needs IU network access. Set the appropriate start and end dates for the account in the "Activation date:" and "Expiration date:" fields.
   
   Note: Network Access accounts last for 3 days by default, but you can request fewer days or as many as 21 days. If someone needs access for more than 21 days, request an Affiliate account instead; for more information, see Information about sponsored computing accounts for IU affiliates.
   
   
4. When you've completed the form, click Assign Account. The resulting screen will include the account name (i.e., username) and a password, which you should give to the person you're sponsoring.
   
   Note: Please record this account information. It is not sent to sponsors or account holders via email. Also, usernames and passwords are case sensitive, which means you must use the correct uppercase or lowercase characters. Also, be aware that users of Network Access accounts do not need to use VPN or register their MAC address.

Configuring your computer

Before you use your Network Access account to access the Internet, you need the following:

• An 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network card. Many laptops may already have a wireless card built in. Others will have PC card slots in which you can insert a wireless PC card. These PC cards are available for purchase online and at most electronic retail stores.
  
  
• You'll need to log into the network. Launch a web browser; you will see a window labeled Web Site Certified by an Unknown Authority. You may safely accept the certificate by clicking OK in this window. Then you will be automatically taken to a web page where you can log in to access the network. In the "IU Visitor Login" box, enter your Network Access account username and password. Follow the instructions on the page that appears. After you have signed on, you will have access to the network for eight hours. If you need continued access, you will need to log in again after the eight hours are up.

What you can access

Network Access accounts provide Internet access via a wireless connection.

A list of UITS-supported wireless sites at IUB and IUPUI is available on the UITS wireless sites page.

Network Access accounts do not provide access to the computers or printers in the Student Technology Centers (STCs), the Residential Technology Centers (RTCs), or the IU libraries, nor do they allow you to connect to any other IU system or service. They are not Network ID accounts. If you need access to IU resources, sponsors can request it from the owners of those resources.

Also see:

• At IUB, how can staff members or affiliates print in the STCs?
• At IUB, how do I set up printing accounts for conference attendees?
• In Windows, how do I use Remote Desktop to access my remote computer?
• In Windows, how do I install the Citrix ICA client?