The University is updating the wired network to 802.1x, an international standard for authenticating users before connecting to the network. If you connect to the network with an ethernet cable, follow the steps below to install a one-time certificate that will allow your device to securely connect to the wired network.
Note: If you access the network wirelessly through Eduroam, this change will not impact you.
Options to Install the Wired Network Certificate
To ensure your device connects to the wired network and complies with the 802.1x standard, you must install a certificate by using the onboarding tool. For UChicago managed devices, you can download the wired network onboarding tool from the Software Center. (If you have local administrator rights on your UChicago computer, you may also choose to install the certificate directly from the SecureW2 website.)
If you have a personal laptop or iPad, you must install the certificate directly from the SecureW2 website.
You will be prompted to provide your CNetID and password once to install the certificate. After that, you won’t be prompted to authenticate because the certificate will be your authentication. If the computer is a shared computer on campus, each user will need to run the onboarding tool.
Install the Wired Network Certificate from Software Center (For Managed Windows Devices)
For UChicago managed devices, a wired network onboarding tool is available in the Software Center.
- Select Start and search Software Center.
- Select ITS – Wired U Chicago Onboarding W2 V3.
- You will be prompted to Install or Reinstall.
- Select Install or Reinstall. A popup stating “We are now launching a separate dialog to continue sign-in at your account provider website” will appear. An exe file will be downloaded to your downloads location and executed.
- Select Next to continue.
- Enter your CNetID and password when prompted.
- Upon successful completion, you may connect to the wired network while on campus.
Install the Wired Network Certificate from SecureW2 (For Unmanaged or MacOS Devices)
If your device is not managed by the University or you do not have access to the Software Center, you can run the onboarding tool directly from the SecureW2 website.
Note: You must have local administrator permissions to follow these steps.
- Visit SecureW2. Your system will download the file. When finished, go to your downloaded items and run the application.
On Windows 10/11 desktops or laptops, the file name will be: Wired_UChicago_Onboarding.exe
On MacOS, the file name will be: Wired_UChicago_MacOS.dmg - Double-click the file to run the Wired 802.1x Onboarding tool and select Next.
- The Authenticate step will prompt you for your CNetID, password, and two-factor authentication.
- If you receive an error in step 3, please contact the Service Desk at 773.702.5800.
- Upon successful completion, you may connect to the wired network while on campus.
Enabling the Wired Fallback Switch on Windows 10 and 11 Devices
Windows devices also need an Ethernet adapter setting enabled to seamlessly move between an 802.1x port on campus and a wired network off-campus. To enable this setting follow the steps below.
- In the System Tray in the lower-right corner, right-click the Network icon. Then, select Network and Internet Settings.
- In Network & Internet, scroll down and select Advanced network settings
- On the Advanced network settings window, if you have multiple Ethernet adapters to choose from, select the Ethernet adapter that is physically connected to the wired network. Virtual adapters should be ignored.
- Select More Adapter options.
- Select the Edit button to bring up the Ethernet Properties window. Select the Authentication tab.
- Confirm that the 3 check-boxes "Enable IEEE 802.1X authentication," "Remember my credentials for this connection each time I'm logged on," and "Fallback to unauthorized network access" are checked, and that the authentication method is Microsoft: Smart Card or other certificate.
Contact IT Services or call 773.702.5800 for immediate assistance.