Connecting securely to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network with Windows Vista

This article is intended to get you quickly and securely connected to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network with your Wi-Fi enabled computer running Microsoft Windows Vista. After following the steps below, you will automatically connect to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network with a secure connection any time you are within range of the network.

1. Install a supported Wi-Fi card
   
   If your computer has built-in wireless or a wireless PC Card installed (802.11b/g/n card), and you are running Windows XP SP2 or Windows 2000 SP4, you're on your way to connecting to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network.
   
   If you do not have a wireless card, see Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi's recommended equipment for more information. You can also purchase a Wi-Fi card from EarthLink by calling xxx-xxx-xxxx.
   
2. Enable your wireless connection and verify the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network is available
   
   First, disable/exit any 3rd-party application you use to connect to wireless signals (i.e. Intel ProSet, Dell WLAN, Boingo, Feather Secure Client, Total Access). Ensure the applications are not running in the background (if identifiable).
   
   Now, you need to access your wireless connection. You can access this feature several ways in Windows Vista, including:
   
   
   • By clicking Start, and then Connect to from the Windows Vista desktop
   • Accessing the Manage wireless connections dialog box
   • From the Connect/Disconnect context menu option of a wireless network adapter in the Network Connections folder
   
   The following figure shows the Connect to a network dialog box.
   
   
   
3. Configure a secure connection to the Feather network
   
   To set up a secure connection to Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi, click Manually connect to a wireless network, and then click Next.
   
   
   
   
   
   On the Enter information for the wireless network you want to add page, configure the following:
   
   For Network Name, enter FeatherSecure.
   
   For Security Type, select WPA-Enterprise WPA with IEEE 802.1X authentication.
   Note: If WPA-Enterprise is not listed, your wireless network adapter does not support this connection type. You will need to upgrade your wireless equipment to connect securely to Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi. See Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi's recommended equipment.
   
   For Encryption Type, select TKIP.
   
   Choose whether the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi connection will start automatically when detected.
   Note: We recommend you enable this option. If this checkbox is cleared, you must manually connect to the wireless network from the Connect to a network dialog box each time you want to connect to Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi.
   
   Enable the option to Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.
   
   Your settings should look like the screen below when complete.
   
   
   
   Click Next. Windows Vista will display the window Successfully added FeatherSecure.
   
   
   
   Select Change connection settings to proceed.
   
   To configure the properties of the wireless network you have just created, click Change connection settings. Windows Vista displays the following dialog box.
   
   
   
   Ensure the boxes are checked as above, then select the Security tab.
   
   
   
   On this screen, for Choose a network authentication method select Protected EAP (PEAP).
   
   Enable Cache user information for subsequent connections to this network if you want Windows Vista to remember your Login Name and Password after your first login to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network.
   
   Click the Settings button next to proceed.
   
   
   
   Verify that the Validate Server Certificate box is checked.
   (Optional - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED but may not be supported by all installations).
   
   Ensure the Connect To These Servers box is not checked.
   
   In the Trusted Root Certification Authorities list, scroll-down the list and check the box next to Secure Server Certificate Authority.
   (Optional - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED but may not be supported by all installations. If Secure Server Certificate Authority is not listed, you must uncheck the 'Validate Server Certificate' box to connect to FeatherSecure).
   
   For Select Authentication Method, choose the Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2) option.
   
   Click the Configure button to continue.
   
   On the next screen, verify that the Automatically use my Windows logon name and password box is NOT checked. Click OK.
   
   (You will return to the "Protected EAP Properties" dialog box.)
   
   
   
   Click OK.
   
4. Connect to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network
   
   To connect to the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network, click Connect to, and then double-click the newly created wireless network in the Connect to a network dialog box.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   You will see the message Successfully connected to FeatherSecure if your login information is accepted. Select Close to close the window.
   
   
   
   CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE NOW CONNECTED TO THE FEATHER / EARTHLINK WI-FI NETWORK.
   
   If the authentication failed, verify you input your Login Name and Password correctly in the fields above. If you continue to have difficulties connecting, please contact Feather Customer Support at 1-866-WIFI-CITY (1-866-943-4248), or contact your service provider (see http://www.feather.com/support for more information).
   
5. Disconnect from the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network
   
   To disconnect from the Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi network, right-click on the wireless network icon found in the lower-right-hand corner of your desktop's system tray.
   
   
   
   Select Disconnect from network in the menu displayed and click on FeatherSecure. Your connection to Feather / EarthLink Wi-Fi is now closed.