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Setting up a Wireless Router on Sussex University ResNet

Hello. I was wondering if anyone here has been able to setup a wireless router in their student accommodation on the Sussex University campus? I'm currently playing around with this, but to limited success so far.

The problem is, I believe, centred around the 802.1x authentication which ResNet requires.

I have tried a number of different router configurations, two of which are below:

1. If I link the wall socket into the internet port on the back of the cable router, the router will connect to the network and gets the IP address I would expect. On opening a browser window, I am then directed to the Sussex University ITS pages, as per normal when the session hasn't been authenticated over 802.1x. If I then attempt to make the 802.1x connection, the dialog box just hangs on "authenticating" indefinitely.

2. If I disable DHCP on the router, and then link the wall socket into one of the LAN ports, I can then link my computer to the router via another LAN port and connect the network (including 802.1x) as normal. However, if I connect to the router wirelessly, I am always redirected to the Sussex University ITS pages. Although I have configured my Airport card to use 802.1x for that wireless network, it still doesn't seem to authenticate. There is no obvious 'connect' button for the Airport 802.1x like there is for the Ethernet 802.1x.

I'm using Mac OS X, and I'm always attempting to create the 802.1x connection from the laptop. I have not seen any option on the router admin pages to authenticate the router itself.

Any comments or suggestions regarding setting this up would be greatfully received. If you're a pro and would like to come round and set this up for me, I would happily reimburse you for your troubles.

P.S. Sussex University do allow wireless routers in the student accommodation, they just wont support us. I'm generally fairly technically minded, and am confident with regards to securing the wireless aspect of the network. It's just I've never come accross this 802.1x system before, and the usual process Googling hasn't provided an answer. T.I.A. for you help :-)

Reply 1

SamN

I am having similar problems, but i know that there IS a solution, just not what it is.

Can you spoof the MAC address of your router to that of your laptop which is registered. This may go some way to making it work?

Reply 2

Petrov

I meant to say, I have tried a variety of MAC address related configs.

Initially I registered the actual MAC addresses of the router on the ITS support pages. When I realised that I probably wasn't going to be able to authenticate the router itself via 802.1x, I tried spoofing the MAC address of the router to match that of my laptop. I will double check later on to see if this actually has a noticable effect on either of the configs I mentioned above. I'm pretty sure that the MAC address was spoofed during the observations mentioned.

In my mind, because I've registered all four of the MAC addresses now (the two on the laptop and the two real ones on the router) it shouldn't make much difference. Correct me if I'm wrong there because I'm not 100%.

If I find a solution, or make any further developments, I will of course post back. :-)

Reply 3

Petrov

Shameless bump. I've made no tangible progress. Have recorded a few of the configs I tried, and their effects:

1. No MAC spoof, wall connection linked to internet port. The router is assigned an IP address, but it is not valid. Internet browser shows "not connected to internet" errors.

2. With MAC spoof, wall connection linked to internet port. Router gets a valid IP address. Internet browser redirects any request to Sussex ITS services help pages. 802.1x will authenticate, but only after a very long pause. Even after authentication, internet browser still acts as if authentication has not taken place (i.e. redirects to ITS services). Enabling / disabling DHCP has no noticable effect.

Reply 4

ThAtKiD

I am trying to do this right now.
I'v got a Netgear router. The only slight success i'v had iv by conecting the wired network port to one of the LAN sockets on my router.

I can connect to the router, and when i try and go on the internet it comes up with the Sussex IT connecting page. But i can not get passed the "register a new computer page". i have tried using the mac address of my router, and putting my sussex user name and password in to the router's internet conection fiels.

anyone got any advice, or had any luck themselves?

Reply 5

a_newbie

I also have a Netgear router and am trying to connect it to the Sussex network.

Has anybody here tried this before? Any help/advice would be very welcome.

Reply 6

AntiPro

I would be interested to see if anyone can help me with this problem also

Reply 7

youngzwavey

am i right in thinking that every room has a rj45 wire or connector for getting online? in that case how would i connect my laptop and ps3? are you able to connect consoles to the schools wireless from your rooms as i'd rather use the resnet for my laptop