From CIT Wiki
Frequently asked questions regarding Network Authentication
After authentication, I see a page with a Logout button. What is this? Should I click on it?
The Logout button is mainly for use by CIT staff. This will deauthenticate the computer from network access. Routine users should NOT click on this.
When using a Macintosh with OS-X version 10.3.9 and Safari version1.3.2 (and perhaps other versions), the web page loops continuously.
Emptying the cache will clear this problem. Launch Safari then pull down the Safari menu, select Empty Cache, then click on the Empty Cache button.
Every time I try to authenticate, I just get sent back to the authentication page again. Is there something that can be done?
Are you using a computer with Macintosh OS-X version 10.3.9, and using Safari? If so, see answer to no. 2 above. Alternatively, you may download Firefox and use this browser to authenticate instead of Safari.
Why did I have to authenticate twice? I'm using Windows XP.
This may be due to a wired and wireless connection on a laptop. You should disable the interface that is not being used.
After authenticating, I received with a successful login page. When that page was closed, I could no longer access my applications and had to reauthenticate and leave the page open to use the applications. What's happening?
You likely clicked on the Logout button. The Logout button is used to deauthenticate a system. If you do click the Logout button, you must relaunch a web browser and reauthenticate.
What is my ObieID? Is that my e-mail address?
Your ObieID is your e-mail username - usually this is your first initial and last name, up to 8 characters. It is not your e-mail address, but it has the same password as your e-mail account. For example, Bea Happy’s ObieID is “bhappy” and her e-mail address is Bea.Happy@oberlin.edu.
Can a user authenticate on different machines?
Yes. A user can authenticate multiple devices.
I have a guest on campus. How does that person authenticate?
You can create an account for your guest to use. Please see the information on Sponsored Accounts below, and (for more detailed info) on our website at http://www.oberlin.edu/cit/sponsoredaccts/default.html
I'm at home. Cable Co-op is my provider. When I open my browser I don't get any online instruction. How do I authenticate so I can access PRESTO from home?
This is only something you'll need to do when you're on campus and not in a building served by the Cable Co-op.
Is this going to affect our servers?
Servers need to be exempted. Please send e-mail to cit@oberlin.edu with the information requested above under Exempted System Request.
My printer was working yesterday (Monday, April 23, 2007), but it is not working today.
If a printer is connected to the campus data network, then it needs to be exempted from network authentication. Please send e-mail to cit@oberlin.edu with the information requested above under Exempted System Request.
I was not required to authenticate my computer this morning. What do I do now?
Please send e-mail to cit@oberlin.edu with the information defined above under Exempted System Request.
Will this process of Network Authentication be required again? If so, how often?
Network authentication will occur every 28 days (every 4th Tuesday) unless some extenuating circumstance necessitates additional authentication(s). For example, an unusual computer virus outbreak occurs, requiring an immediate virus scan of systems connecting to the campus network. CIT will make an announcement if an exception is needed.
Why do I keep having to authenticate every day? Is something wrong?
Sponsored accounts are required to reauthenticate every day. If you are not authenticating with a sponsored account and are being presented with the reauthentication page daily, try authenticating with your own ObieID instead of a student organization, departmental, or group ObieID.
Will everyone reauthenticate at once or will it be on different days for different people?
One nice thing about the re-authentication on a regular basis is that everyone will re-authenticate on the same day regardless of when they last reauthenticated. For example: a new faculty member receives a new computer and authenticates. Two days later, the regular 28-day network authentication process occurs. That faculty member will then have to reauthenticate, along with everyone else.
Will there be an e-mail to remind us to reauthenticate?
We do not believe this will be necessary, since people should soon becomes used to authenticating every 28 days. We will post the information on the CIT website and on On-Campus news.
How will this affect public-use computers in the libraries?
See answer above under Lab and Library Computers.
How will this affect Macintosh computers in public labs?
This is a different type of authentication. Regardless, Macintosh computers in public-use facilities will be reconfigured during the summer to require authentication (a login).
How will this affect Windows computers in public labs?
This is a different type of authentication. Windows computers in public labs are already configured to require authentication.
There is a computer in my office used by multiple people. How should this be handled?
The first person to use the computer will provide the authentication. Follow-on users will not be prompted to authenticate, unless 28 days have passed, when reauthentication will be required for all users. At that time, again, the next person to use the computer should authenticate. Note that the computer will be assigned the "role" of the person who authenticates. For example, if a staff person authenticates, the role will be a staff role; if a student authenticates, the role will be a student role. If this creates any impact, you can change roles by deauthenticating and then letting the person with the required role authenticate. To deauthenticate (for admin/academic building users, i.e., most faculty and staff), go to the authentication web page, re-enter your ObieID account name and password, click Agree and then click on the Logout button. (Note: North Campus Resnet users desiring to deauthenticate should click here; South Campus Resnet users should click here.)
Does this process apply only to computers using DHCP as the mechanism to obtain an IP address, or does it also apply to computers not using DHCP?
The network authenticaton process applies to all devices (unless exempted), whether they use DHCP or not. (Note: All devices SHOULD be set to use DHCP, regardless whether the IP is dynamic or more definitively- assigned.)
I log into multiple computers at once in a faculty member's research lab. Should I use my personal ObieID to authenticate each computer, or is there some lab authentication mechanism?
The answer pertains to the type of lab. For public-use facilities, CIT provides alternate arrangements. Research lab computers should each be authenticated by the lab owner (faculty member, lab assistant, etc.). Systems connected to loggers or other instruments should be exempted and the responsible individual should send the info delineated in the Exempted Systems Request section above to cit@oberlin.edu.
