Over Spring Break, CITES implemented IllinoisNet, a new wireless network with both authentication and security built into the wireless protocol.
With the old UIUCNet network, students needed to log in to QuickConnect or the virtual private network each time they connected. With IllinoisNet, once a person does the initial configuration, they do not have to ever log in again, according to the CITES Web site. The computer can automatically re-connect whenever it detects a IllinoisNet wireless signal. Some students said they are excited about only having to sign in once.
“I’ve never had any issues (with the old network), but logging in once would be really convenient,” said Alex Foley sophomore in Business.
Sylvia Safin, freshman in LAS, said it is nice to only have to log in once, but the service has cut out a few times since she began using it.
Another issue to students is that the beginning configuration process is more complex than UIUCnet Wireless, and older systems may not be able to connect to IllinoisNet. Students who were still using the old wireless network were contacted by CITES via e-mail explaining the benefits of the new network. James Eyrich, CITES Wireless Service Manager, said the e-mail was sent to every person who had connected to the UIUCNet network in the 30 days prior to spring break.
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According to the e-mail, students should configure their computer to use the new IllinoisNet network before the old network expires on August 10. The e-mail also said the one-time set up for the network should take no more than two to three minutes to complete.
Eyrich said IllinoisNet network will replace the UIwpa2 network but the UIUCNet network will remain. He added that there is no new hardware for the network—it is a new offering on the existing Internet.
“It has the same functionality,” he said. “Part of it is it’s just a better name.”
Eyrich said people are beginning to switch over and the network is seeing success.
Hanju Kang, senior in LAS, said she has never used the new network but thinks it will be better.
Eyrich said he wants everyone to focus on IllinoisNet.
“IllinoisNet is now the primary wireless offering, we prefer everybody to use that,” Eyrich said. “UIUCNet is the fall back.”
