MCC Wireless Help

The MCC wireless system is a secure system available to MCC students and employees. All you need to login is your user name and password you use for network access.

Welcome to the Metropolitan Community College Wireless Help pages

The MCC wireless system is a secure system available to MCC students and employees. All you need to login is your user name and password you use for network access.

The MCC wireless system uses PEAP, which creates an encrypted tunnel before you are even allowed login so it is very secure. After you get logged in you will also be using an encrypted secure link to the access point that is not shared with any other users. This means you can browse the internet and use blackboard on a secure connection. Each user will dynamically recieve a unique security key (for encryption) and this key will change every few minutes. This is different from an open or insecure system in which all information from your computer is broadcast unencrypted so that anyone within range can "listen in". This means someone listening and grabbing the network packets can instantly know almost everything you are doing on that connection. This includes user names and passwords, account numbers, any sites visited, the images you are viewing, and anything typed on a web page or instant message. We wanted the ability to offer a safer way to use the wireless network than traditional "open" systems.

To get started use the links above in the "Help Topics" table to find the best page for your device. There are many many different combinations of hardware and software. We might not be able to have a dedicated page that matches your hardware/software combination. If you don't see anything that helps, please check out the "General Wireless Info" page for all the specific info needed to get connected.

Never share your MCC username and password!

Your MCC username and password is assigned to you for important MCC services. If you loan your credentials out to help someone get connected to the wireless system they could then also log in as you to Metrolink, Blackboard, and more. Also, you can be held responsible for any actions done under your credentials.

Windows XP Instructions

The folowing instructions are for the Wireless client (supplicant) that comes with Windows XP sp1 or newer. Some wireless cards will overide this client and install their own proprietary client or supplicant. In most cases, you can tell Windows to manage the wireless card for you. If you have Windows set to manage your wireless you can set up a profile for MCC-Wireless with the following steps.

 

Step 1: Find your Wireless network icon that is by your clock and right click on it to bring up the menu. When the menu comes up, select "View Available Wireless Networks" .

 

 

Step 2: When A window labeled "Wireless Network Connection" comes up, click the "Change Advanced Settings" options in the menu on the left. This will cause the window to change to the Wireless Connection Properties window. Just click on the "Wireless Networks" tab. Do NOT try to connect to MCC-Wireless without first manually creating a profile. If you try to connect without manually creating a profile you might run into issues, because of a couple automatic login options Windows uses by default.

 

Step 3: Create a MCC-Wireless Profile. Click the Add button, and use "MCC-Wireless" for the network name. This is case sensitive, so make sure MCC-W are all uppercase. The preferred authentication method is WPA2 and AES encription. This system also supports WPA and TKIP, but this is less secure. If you do not see a the options for WPA2 and AES you might try the Microsoft patch as detailed HERE. Not all hardware supports WPA2 and AES so you may not see the options even after installing the MS patch.

 

Step 4: After you click the properties button under the authentication tab you will see a window labeled "Protected EAP Properties". Make sure there is NOT an checkmark next to "Validate server certificates". You DO want a checkmark next to "Enable Fast Reconnect". After these two items are set need to click configure next to the "Select Authentication Method". When the little "EAP MSCHAPv2 Properties" window comes up make sure there is no check mark in the only option available.

Step 5: Click Ok on all of the properties windows to close them. Windows should then show you a balloon pop-up down by your clock. Click this balloon and you should be presented with the window that will allow you to put in your username and password. Your user name and password is the same as you use for network access. Both the user name and password fields are case sensitive. Be sure to leave the domain field blank. If your password ever changes you will have to delete the MCC-Wireless profile, restart the comptuer (to allowe the cached info to be erased) and then recreate your MCC-Wireless profile.

 

Let it work for a little bit and you should be finished and connected at this point. If you want to verify your connection status you can hold the mouse over your wireless icon by the clock. A small popup will tell your connection status. Also, you can right click on the same icon and click "View Available Wireless networks" to see your connection status.

Windows Vista Instructions

Step 1: Find the networking icon that looks like a couple of computer monitors. Right click on this icon to pull up the following menu. Alternatively, you can click on the Networking and Sharing Center icon in the Control Panel.

Step 2: Click on "Network and Sharing Center".

 

Step 3: After the Network and Sharing center window pops up click on "Manage wireless networks".

 

Step 4: Click the "Add" button circled in the following screenshot:

Step 5: In this window click "Manually create a Network Profile". This has to be done manually to turn off a couple of automatic features in windows:

Step 6: In the next window there are three important settings. Next to "Network Name" be sure to but in "MCC-Wireless". This field is case sensitive. The Security Type should read "WPA2-Enterprise" or "WPA-Enterprise". Please choose "WPA2-Enterprise if it is available. Encryption type should be "AES". If AES is not available you can use TKIP, but AES is preferred. There is no Security Key/Passphrase because you are going to log in with your Student or Employee ID later.

Step 7: Almost done. After clicking next in the above screenshot you will get another window asking you to connect or to change the settings for MCC-Wireless. Since we have to turn off a couple of automatic windows features be sure to click "Change connection settings".

Step 8: This will pull up the properties windows. Click on the security tab. Under "Choose a network authentication method" it should read "Protected EAP (PEAP)". Then click the settings button.

Step 9: When the Protected EAP properties window pops up make sure there is NO check mark next to validate server certificate. Make sure that "Secured password (EAP-MSCHAPv2) is selected under the network authentication method section . Then click configure. In the little EAP MSCHAPv2 properties window make sure that there is NO check mark so that Windows does NOT automatically use your windows login and password to log into the wireless network.

Step 10: Click OK on the windows above to close them. At this point you should see a pop-up window connected to that icon by the clock that looks like two computer monitors. Just click on this balloon pop-up. Now you should have a new window labeled Enter Credentials. Put in the same username and password you use for network access. Once you get successfully logged in Windows will "cache" or remember your credentials and log in to the wireless network automatically every time you are in range. If your password ever changes you will have to delete and recreate your MCC-Wireless profile. You can also change the way windows remembers your credential by taking the check mark out of the "cache user information..." window in step 8. Taking that checkmark will cause windows to ask you for your username/password everytime you try to connect to MCC-Wireless.

 

At this point you should be connected. You can verify this by looking at your icon by the clock. If you are connected you it will have added a litle globe to the corner of the icon. You can also check your Network and Sharing center for your connection status.

 

Windows 7 Instructions

 

Step 1: Click the wireless icon in the system tray.

 

 

Step 2: When the list of available wireless networks appear, click on MCC-Wireless.


 

Step 3: Click the connect automatically box, then click the CONNECT button.

 

 

Step 4: A Windows Security dialog box should appear, click CONNECT

 

 

You should now be connected to the MCC-Wireless network.

Windows 7 Instructions

 

Step 1: Find and click on the network connections icon on the toolbar near the clock. Click on “Open Network and Sharing Center” at the bottom of the pop up window.

 

 

Step 2: Select “Manage Wireless Networks” from the list on the left hand side of the window.


 

Step 3: Select “Add”.

 

 

Step 4: Select “Manually Create a Network Profile”.

 

 

Step 5: Correctly enter and/or select the following information in the fields on this window.
Network Name: MCC-Wireless
Security type: WPA2-Enterprise
Encryption Type: AES
Check the box next to “Start This Connection Automatically” if you would like Windows to automatically connect to “MCC-Wireless” when your laptop is started.
Click the “Next” button.

 

 

Step 6: You should get a window that says “Successfully Added MCC-Wireless”. Click on “Change Connection Settings”. A Wireless Network Properties window should open. Click the Security Tab at the top, and verify the following information.
Security type: WPA2-Enterprise
Encryption Type: AES
Authentication Method: Microsoft Protected EAP (PEAP)
Check the box next to “Remember my credentials for this connection each time I’m logged on”.
Once the information has been verified, click the “Advanced Settings” button.

 

 

Step 7: On the “Advanced Settings” window, on the 802.1X settings tab, check the box next to “specify authentication mode:” and select “User authentication from the drop down”. Then click OK.

 

 

Step 8: Click the Settings button next to “Protected EAP Properties”.

 

 

On the “Protected EAP Properties” window, uncheck the box next to “Validate server certificate”. Verify that the Authentication Method is “Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)” and that the box next to “Enable Fast Reconnect” is checked.
Click the “Configure” button.

 

 

Step 9: On the “EAP MSCHAP v2 Properties” window, uncheck the box next to “Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any)”. Then click the “OK” or “Close” button to close out of all of the windows.

 

 

Step 10: Click on the network connections icon on the taskbar. Click on “MCC-Wireless”. Click the “Connect” button.

 

 

Step 11: You may briefly see a window that says “Connecting to MCC-Wireless”. You should then get a window asking for credentials. Correctly enter your myMCCKC credentials into the fields and click the “OK” button.

 

 

Step 12: The authentication process may take a few seconds, but you should be connected. Your network connections icon should look similar to the one in the picture below.

 

Windows 8 Instructions

Step 1: Right click on your Internet Access icon (Computer Monitor) and left click on “Open Network and Sharing Center”.

 

Step 2: Click on “Setup a network connection or network”.


 

Step 3: Click on “Manually connect to wireless network”

 

 

Step 4:

Network name: MCC-Wireless
Security type: WPA2-Enterprise
Encryption type: AES
Security Key:             
Check: “Start this connection automatically”
Check: “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting”
Click on “Next”.

 

 

Step 5: Click on “Change connection settings”.

 

 

Step 6:

Check: “Connect automatically when this network is in range”
Uncheck: “Look for other wireless networks while connected to this network”
Check:  “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting its name (SSID)”
Click on “OK”.

 

Step 7:

Security type: “WPA2-Enterprise”
Encryption type: “AES”
Choose a network authentication method: “Microsoft: Protected EAP (PEAP)”
Check: “Remember my credentials for this connection each time I’m logged on” Click on “Advanced Settings”.

 

Step 8:

Check: “specify authentication mode:” and select “User authentication from the drop down”. Then click OK.

 

 

Step 9: Click on “Advanced Settings”.

 

Uncheck: “Verify the server’s identity by validating the certicate”
Select Authentication Method: “Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)”
Check: “Enable Fast Reconnect”
Click on “Configure…”.

 

 

Step 10: Uncheck: “Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any).”

 

 

Step 11: Click on “OK” or “X” to exit out of all of the wireless setup windows.

 

Step 12: Click on Network Access icon to see a list of Wireless networks.

 

 

Step 13: Click on “MCC-Wireless”.

 

Step 14:
Check: “Connect automatically”
Click on “Connect”.

Step 15:

Enter your MCC username.  E####### or S#######
Enter your MCC password.

Step 16: You should now be connected. To verify, click on the Network Access icon to see your wireless options. You should see "Connected" as well as a signal strength icon next to "MCC-Wireless

Windows 10 Instructions

Use the Windows Search option to search for the System Setting for your Wi-Fi adapter.

Step 1: Click on the Search icon type "wifi" in the Search Windows box.

 

 

Step 2: Click on "Change Wi-Fi Settings".

 

 

Step 3: Make sure that Wi-Fi is turned "On". Click "Show available networks"

 

 

Step 4: Select MCC-Wireless and check the "Connect Automatically box". Click "Connect".

 

 

Step 5: A Certificate Details message box may appear. If so, click "Connect".

 

 

Step 6: A login window will display, prompting you to enter your login information. Enter your MCC username and password, then click "Ok".

 

 

Note: If you are still having issues signing into MCC-Wireless after following the steps above you can try to forget the network by following these steps:

  1. Search for Command Prompt by typing in "CMD" in the windows search bar
  2. Right-click to run Command Prompt as an Administrator
  3. Type in the following: netsh wlan delete profile name = MCC-Wireless
  4. Press Enter and try the steps above again

Windows 10 Instructions

Step 1. Click on the Start icon at the bottom left

Step 2: Click on Settings.

Step 3: Click on Network and Internet

Step 4: Click on Network and Sharing Center on the bottom right

Step 5: Click on Setup a New Connection or Network

Step 6: Click on Manually Connect to a Wireless Network and click Next

Step 7: Enter the following information:
Network name: MCC-Wireless
Security type: WPA2-Enterprise
Encryption type: AES
Check: Start this connection automatically
Check: Connect even if the network is not broadcasting
Click on Next

Step 8: Click on Change Connection Settings

Step 9: Check on the following two options:
Connect automatically when this network is in range
Connect even if the network is not broadcasting its name (SSID)
Click on Security

Step 10: Check that you have the following settings:
Security type: WPA2-Enterprise
Encryption type: AES
Choose a network authentication method: Microsoft Protected EAP (PEAP)
Check: Remember my credentials for this connection each time I'm logged on
Click on Advanced Settings

Step 11: Check Specify authentication mode
In the drop down below "Specify authentication mode" change it to User authentication
Click OK

Step 12: Click on Settings across from Microsft Protected EAP (PEAP)

Step 13: Uncheck Verify the server's identity by validating the certificate
Select: Authentication Method: Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)
Check: Enable Fast Reconnect
Click on Configure

Step 14: Uncheck Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any).
Click on OK

Step 15: We should be ready to login to the wireless. Close all wireless settings windows

Step 16: Click on the network icon at the bottom right of your screen

Step 17: Click on Wi-Fi

Step 18: Click on MCC-Wireless

Step 19: Check Connect Automatically
Click on Connect

Step 20: Enter your myMCCKC username and password

Step 21: You should now be connected and your wireless icon should change to this icon

Macintosh OS X Instructions

Step 1: Click on the network icon at the top right of your screen.

 

Step 2: Click on "MCC-Wireless"

 

 

Step 3: For username enter your MCC login (E######## or S########), enter your MCC password, make sure that "Remember this network" is checked, and click "Join".

 

 

Step 4: A window is going to pop up about Authenticating to "MCC-Wireless". Click on "Show Certificate".

 

 

Step 5: Make sure there is a check next to "Always trust 'mcc-mw-cppm.mcckc.edu'" and click on "Continue".

 

 

Step 6: It will prompt you for a login but this will be your Mac’s login and not the MCC login. Please enter your Mac’s login and click on "Update Settings".

 

 

All done. You should be connected.

Macintosh OS X Instructions

Step 1: Find your Airport icon and click on it to bring down your Airport menu. Once your Airport card is turned on you should see the "MCC-Wireless network, and you simply click on it.

Step 2: After the Airport window comes up, you want to use your user name and password for network access. Both the user name and password fields are case sensitive.

Step 3: After you click OK you will get a window labeled "Verify Certificate". Click the "Show Certificate" button and then make sure there is a check mark next to "Always trust these certificates". Then click Continue.

 

It might take 20 seconds or so, but if you typed in a valid user name and password you should now be connected.

Chromebook Instructions

To connect your Chromebook to the MCC-Wireless network, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Click the network icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.

 

Step 2. Select your network status from the menu that appears.

Step 3. Select Join other... in the lower-left corner.

Step 4. Select Advanced in the lower-left corner.

Step 5. Configuration Settings for MCC-Wireless:

SSID: MCC-Wireless
EAP Method: PEAP
Phase 2 authentication: MSCHAPv2
Server CA Certificate: Do not check
User Certificate: None Installed
Identity: myMCCKC ID
Password: MyMCCKC Password
Anonymous Identity: Empty

 

Step 6. Click Connect.

When/If the Chromebook does not connect

Step 7. Check the box to make MCC-Wireless an automatically connect network

Step 8. Click Connect to MCC-Wireless

Let it attempt to connect repeatedly until it finally connects, during this time you likely will receive DHCP Lookup Failure errors that you should ignore. Those errors are actually a good sign however as it demonstrates it is trying to connect.

Let the Chromebook keep attempting to connect to MCC-Wireless and eventually it will assuming the credentials and configuration are correct. Sometimes it will connect immediately and more often it will connect in 10-20 minutes so keep trying.

The "trick" seems to be to keep the Chromebook from connecting to other networks and eventually it will connect to MCC-Wireless. It may take several (over many minutes) iterations but it will connect. After it finally gets connected subsequent connections seem to be more readily done and because your credentials are stored.

Android Instructions

To connect an Android phone or tablet to the MCC Wireless network:

Step 1. Press the Home button, and then press the Apps button. Navigate to Settings.

 

Step 2. Under "Wireless and Networks", make sure "Wi-Fi" is turned on the press Wi-Fi.

 

Step 3. You may have to wait a moment as your Android device detects wireless networks in range, and displays them in a list. To rescan for available networks at any time, select Scan.

Step 4. Press the Wi-Fi network name MCC-Wireless.

 

Step 5. When prompted, enter your myMCCKC UserID and Password, and press Connect. This will complete your connection to the wireless network.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch Instructions

To connect an Apple mobile device to the MCC Wireless network:

Step 1. While on the Home Screen tap on "Settings".

 

 

Step 2. Tap on "Wi-Fi".

 

 

Step 3. Tap on "MCC-Wireless"

 

Step 4. When prompted, enter your myMCCKC UserID and Password. Tap on "Join".

 

 

Step 5. Tap on "Trust" at the top right.

 

 

Step 6. If you see check next to "MCC-Wireless" and your signal level you are connected.

 

 

iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch Instructions

To connect an Apple mobile device to the MCC Wireless network:

Step 1. Press the Home button. Navigate to Settings.

 

Step 2. Press the Wi-Fi button. Make sure the Wi-Fi is turned on.

 

Step 3. You may have to wait a moment as your Apple device detects wireless networks in range, and displays them in a list.

Step 4. Press the Wi-Fi network name MCC-Wireless.

 

Step 5. When prompted, enter your myMCCKC UserID and Password, and press Next to Join. This will complete your connection to the wireless network.

Windows Phone Instructions

To connect an Windows phone to the MCC Wireless network:

Step 1. Swipe left.

Step 2. Scroll to and select Settings.

Step 3. Select WiFi

Step 4. Turn on WiFi networking

Step 5. Select MCC-Wireless from available networks

Step 6. Enter your myMCCKC userID and password and select done

Step 7. You are now connected to the Wi-Fi network

Images taken from www.helpforsmartphone.com

By logging into MCC Wireless you are agreeing that you will adhere to the required processes to protect the confidentiality and appropriate use of college data and will abide by MCC's COMPUTER AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY USAGE Board Policy 2.25050 BP and all applicable policies, procedures, regulations and laws, including those regarding confidentiality and data security. All information contained in the MCC network and databases are the property of the College and are to only be used to support normal institutional duties. I also understand that failure to adhere to the confidentiality and usage guidelines may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination/expulsion.