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The wireless connectivity service activated since 2006 thanks to dedicated funding and projects (see for example WiFi4UNIPA co-financed by the Department for Digitization of Public Administration and Technological Innovation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers) provides students and teaching and administrative staff of the University of Palermo with wireless connectivity to the university network infrastructure allowing them to use the digital services and resources offered by the University directly from own portable and handheld devices. The service is accessible thanks to a network of 450 AP (Access Point) and a VLAN (Virtual LAN) system that covers over 120 switches and 6 servers (RADIUS, MYSQL and LDAP).

 

RECIPIENTS

- Students > The service is available to all students of the University who have an active career. Consult the guide to find out how to activate the service.

- Staff > The service is available to all University staff who have an active career.

- Visitors > The University of Palermo also extends the WiFi4UNIPA service to visitors of the University who have received special authorization with limited time validity. Fill out the form to request activation.

- Other > The University of Palermo since August 2013 is part of the international circuit Eduroam and allows all internal and external users to Unipa, which are part of the circuit, the ability to access the Wifi network with their access credentials. Any information about Eduroam from the link http://www.servizi.garr.it/index.php/it/eduroam.

 

During conferences, meetings, events, invitations or other events, it is possible to request the activation of temporary users at wifi-support@unipa.it.

 

FAQ

Email: wifi-support@unipa.it

Fax: 091 238 60704

 

Listen

• How do I recognize the University’s wireless network?

The wireless network of the University of Palermo, managed by the S.I.A. - University Information System, is called wifi-unipa-wpa. For systems with the latest wireless card (using the so-called frequencies 'A' - 5 Ghz), the wifi-unipa-wpa-a network is also available. In practice, if you also see the wifi-unipa-wpa-a network, you can also repeat the configuration for this network, otherwise you will have to set only the wifi-unipa-wpa.

 

• What is the wifi coverage?

The wireless network is present inside and, where possible, near the faculties and departments located in Viale delle Scienze. It is also present in the premises of Political Science, Law and Design in Via Maqueda, at the University Polyclinic, the Department of Physics in Via Archirafi, in the educational center of Marsala, Trapani and Caltanissetta and finally at the Rector in Piazza Marina.

 

• I am a student, what do I have to do to get a valid account for wireless browsing?

All students of the University of Palermo are entitled to a wireless account. Log in to the student portal ( http://studenti.unipa.it ) with your tax code and password. Among the personal data you can see your USERNAME VALID FOR WIFI (the first name is 1234@studenti.unipa.it).

 

• I have the active username and password. Where should I enter them?

You must configure your PC following the guides illustrated at www.unipa.it/wifi. AUTHENTICATION CAN NEVER TAKE PLACE IF YOU HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THE CONFIGURATION GUIDE BEFORE. Always refer to the above address to get the latest updated version of the guides.

 

• I have completed my course of studies and now I am attending a MASTER, enrolled in one or more single courses... Do I have to enroll in the student portal?

No, you can fill out the application form for a temporary account. This form must be signed by the person in charge of the facility to which you belong and registered. Once this is done, you must fax it to the number 091/23860704 or to the e-mail address wifi-support@unipa.it and wait for the email indicated in the form to send a username and password for the connection. A personal account will be created to use the wireless network. Remember to attach a document of recognition and a document that attests your status.

 

• I have a device (phone, smartphone, etc.) with wifi network card: can I configure it to browse the University?

Only some devices support the university connection. For the most common guides have already been created for the configuration that you can find at www.unipa.it/wifi. Due to the diversity of the devices and the different versions of Firmware the SIA cannot provide assistance in this regard.

 

• I have a device (phone, smartphone, etc.) with wifi network card: can I configure it to browse the University?

Only some devices support the university connection. For the most common guides have already been created for the configuration that you can find at www.unipa.it/wifi. Due to the diversity of the devices and the different versions of Firmware the SIA cannot provide assistance in this regard.

 

• My device uses Windows Mobile 5 (or later versions): I can’t configure it...

We have a problem in WM5 and later that inhibits the transmission of authentication data. At the moment it would seem that the problem can only be solved by a change in the registry. We believe that this change is not within the reach of the average user, and - if something goes wrong - there may be problems that we cannot take responsibility for. If you think it appropriate, you can find the procedure for this change in several forums. We cannot support that.

 

• What can I do once connected?

It is possible to view the rules of use of the University’s wireless network (Acceptable User Policy). In general, access to university network services (e.g. Library Service) and normal web browsing are permitted. Navigation is filtered by an automated content filtering service, based on blacklists and weighted phrases. A link log is active (log). The SIA shall take technical and organisational measures to ensure the confidentiality of this register; the register of links may be made available only to the judicial authority upon express request.

 

• I can’t authenticate with my account, what am I doing wrong?

The causes can be many. In principle we recommend:

1) carefully check the instructions for the operating system installed on your machine (the instructions can be found on http://www.unipa.it/wifi), selecting or deselecting ALL the settings boxes as guide;

2) make sure to type correctly your username@studenti.unipa.it and your password (the latter is THE SAME used to enter the student portal and must be written respecting any capital letters). If you change the password from the portal, or create a new one by clicking on "Forgot password", you must obviously use the new password also to access the wifi;

3) ensure that your university account has not ceased. If you have finished or stopped your course of studies, your account is disabled and it will not be possible to log in to the wifi;

4) check that there is signal coverage (wifi-unipa-wpa and/or wifi-unipa-wpa-a network).

5) check the correctness of the data by logging in to the following site, https://cas.unipa.it/sso/login. if you cannot login write an email to authentication-support@unipa.it with your data to solve the problem.

 

• "Cannot find a certificate for wifi-unipa-wpa...", what to do?

Double-check the configuration as per guide. This message is displayed when the "Validate Server Certificate" checkbox in the settings of Microsoft Windows XP and Vista systems is incorrectly selected. No certificate is required for authentication with such operating systems; this setting affects the continuation of the authentication cycle. The certificate is only required for connection with mobile phones.

 

• I have Windows XP/Vista/7 and while authenticating I can’t navigate ("Connectivity' limited or absent"), what should I do?

This could be a problem related to poor signal, or incorrect setting of the IP address (must be dynamic - see above), or it could be the result of security logic too restrictive (e.g. Norton or Panda Internet Security not configured correctly). Try to temporarily disable such software.

 

• I’m connected but I can’t navigate, what should I do?

Most likely your PC is configured to use a static IP address; to get a valid navigation address your system must accept the assignment of a dynamic IP address.

 

• Although I configured the connection following the instructions I can not access, why?

Assuming that you have double-checked the correct configuration several times, as per guidance on http://www.unipa.it/wifi/ , you may need to update your computer’s wireless card drivers to the latest release made available by the card manufacturer (Famously, this solves connectivity issues with wireless cards such as the 2200BG and 4965ABGN series Intel and Atheros AR5007EG, especially on Vista systems).

 

• I’ve tried them all.. I just can’t connect!!

Do not despair! You can contact us at the email address wifi-support@unipa.it and if you do not succeed in solving the problem will be fixed an appointment at the SIA - University Information System, Viale delle Scienze, Building 11 (next to Letters and Philosophy)where we will configure ourselves. Remember to be provided with USERNAME and PASSWORD.