CONNECTING TO THE WIRELESS NETWORK USING CISCO CLEAN ACCESS

In many wireless locations on campus, Smith uses a network authentication and security system called Cisco Clean Access (CCA) to help prevent compromised computers from gaining access to the Smith network and infecting other computers. This document explains how CCA works on different types of computers, and how to use the Clean Access Agent software on a Windows computer.

How does CCA work?

Each time you start up your computer in wireless mode in a CCA-protected area on campus, you will be prompted to enter your GroupWise username and password in a Network Registration login box.

The CCA software will then authenticate your account and register your Macintosh, Linux, or Windows computer on the Smith network.  This should happen very quickly, and when registration is complete:

1. Macintosh and Linux users:  You’ll be able to access all regular network services, including the Internet, email, and instant messaging. 

1. Windows users:  The first time you go through this process, you will be prompted to install a small piece of software, the Clean Access Agent. 
   
   The Clean Access Agent then scans your computer to check whether all required software is installed, including Windows updates, McAfee VirusScan, and up-to-date virus definitions.
   

Please note that the Clean Access Agent does NOT:

1. Monitor network traffic
2. Access your usernames and passwords
3. Block specific applications
4. Scan your personal files
   

Follow the steps below to complete the CCA registration procedure.

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Part 1.  ALL USERS:  Register your computer on the Smith network.

1. Start up your computer.
   
   
2. Staff and faculty: If you have the Novell Netware Client for Windows installed on your computer, the Novell Login window will open automatically. Click in the Workstation only checkbox before you log in.
   
   
3. Open an Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browser window.
   
   
4. If you see a Security Alert window, click Yes to proceed.
   
   
5. Windows Vista users:  If you see a Network Location window, choose Work, then click OK.
   
   
6. Internet Explorer 7 users:  If you see a website security certificate warning, click on
   ”Continue to this website (not recommended)”, as shown below:
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. On the Smith College Wireless Infrastructure page, click Accept.
   
   
8. If you see another Security Alert window, click Yes to proceed.
   
   
9. On the Smith Residential Network Login page:
   
   
   1. Read the two computer-use policies on the page.
      
      
   2. Enter your GroupWise username and password.
      
      
   3. If you are not a Smith student, faculty member, or staff member, choose the correct category from the drop-down menu.
      
      
   4. Click OK.
      
      
10. Macintosh and Linux users: If your login is successful, you're all done. You should now be able to access the Internet and network services.
    
    If you get a username or password error, contact the User Support Center at x4487.
    
    Note that you will be required to go through the Network Login process each time you re-start your laptop in wireless mode and attempt to access the Internet.
    
    
    

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11. Windows users: If your login is successful, proceed to Part 2, below.
    
    
12. If you see an AutoComplete Password page, choose Yes or No as you wish.
    
    
13. If you see a Security Alert window, click Yes.
    
    
14. If your browser freezes after you log in, you may be missing one or more critical Windows updates. 
    
    NOTE: It is typically much faster to install missing updates from a wired connection versus a wireless one.
    
    To install missing updates:
    
    
    1. Open an Internet Explorer window.
       
       
    2. From the Tools menu, select Windows Update.
       
       
    3. Click on the Express button to scan for missing updates, install any missing critical updates identified by the scan, then restart your computer.
       
       
    4. If your login is successful, proceed to Part 2.
       

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Part 2. Installing the Clean Access Agent on a Windows computer (required only once)

If you don't already have the Clean Access Agent software installed on your computer, you will be prompted to install it the first time you complete the Network Registration login.

1. The Network Security Notice page will open.  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Download Clean Access Agent button.
   
   
2. If you see a Security Alert, click Yes.
   
   
3. In the Download window, select Open or Run.
   
   
   1. If you see a File Download Security Warning window, click Run.
      
      
   2. If you see an Internet Explorer Security Warning, click Run.
      
      
   3. If you see a message saying that a security window is open, locate the window in your taskbar, click on it to make it visible, and click Yes.
      
      
4. If you don't see an Open or Run option, click Save and save the file to your desktop. Double-click on the installer file on your desktop to start the installation.
   
   
5. When the download is complete, the InstallShield Wizard window will open.
   
   
   1. In the first window, click Next.
      
      
   2. In the Destination Folder window, click Next.
      
      
   3. In the Ready to Install window, click Install.  The program will begin installing.
      
      
   4. In the Install Wizard Completed window, click Finish.
      
      
6. Wait a few seconds until the Clean Access Agent login window opens, then proceed to Part 3, below.

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Part 3.  Windows users:  Using the Clean Access Agent

1. Once you have the Clean Access Agent installed on your computer, the Agent login window will appear the first time you open a browser window.
   
   
2. In the Clean Access Agent login window:
   
   
   1. Enter your GroupWise username and password.
      
      
   2. If you are not a Smith student, faculty member, or staff member, choose the correct category from the drop-down menu.
      
      
   3. Click OK.
      
      
3. Note: From time to time, you may be are prompted to install a new version of the Clean Access Agent when you log in. Follow the same procedure described in Part 2.
   
   
4. If you see a Security Alert window, click Yes.
   
   
5. If you see a message asking if you want to allow Clean Access to connect to your system or launch a program, click Always Allow.
   
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6. The Clean Access Agent will take a few seconds to scan your computer.
   
   
7. If the Agent detects that all required software and updates are installed:
   
   
   1. You will see a "You are successfully logged in to the network" window.
      
      
   2. Click OK to close the Agent window, and proceed to step 9.
      
      
8. If the Agent detects that any required software or updates are missing:
   
   
   1. You will see a "You have temporary access" window, as shown below:
      
      
        
      
      
      
   2. Click Continue, and follow the instructions on each subsequent window. 
      
      
   3. IMPORTANT: If your computer is missing multiple required components, the Agent may ask you to complete several downloads, and restart your computer one or more times, before you can successfully log in to the network.
      
      Faculty and Staff: If you see a message saying that you have an unsupported anti-virus program installed on your computer, just click Next.
      
      
   4. Once you can complete the log in successfully, click OK to close the Agent window.
      
      
9. After about 15 seconds, you will be able to access the Internet and network services.
   
   
10. Staff and faculty: If you have the Novell Netware Client for Windows installed on your computer, and you wish to connect to your Smith network account:
    
    
    1. Right-click on the red N in the lower right corner of your screen to bring up the Novell Client login box.
       
       
    2. Uncheck Workstation only.
       
       
    3. Log in to the Smith network as you normally would.
       

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