Network Authentication Required for ALL Computers Accessing the College Network

All Oberlin College network users are required to authenticate to the network prior to gaining access. This is the case for faculty, staff, students, and guests. Network Authentication is necessary in order to meet the College's requirements under CALEA, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994. (See details on this in the online CIT Newsletter.) Note: This does not affect Oberlin Cable Co-op users.

Faculty, Staff and Students will need to authenticate approximately every 28 days, and as needed due to safety or security requirements (i.e., a new virus has attacked systems).

To authenticate to the network, you must do the following:

• login to your computer, if a login is required
• open a web browser
• follow the online instructions

Once you have authenticated, you will be able to access network resources as usual.

Fac/Staff Windows Users:

Faculty and staff Windows users should be able to login to their computers as usual. If you cannot login, you will just need to select Workstation Only and then open up a web browser and follow the instructions.

Guests:

Guests will be assigned a Sponsored Account (see details below) and will be required to login with that account and authenticate as described above. This will be the case for Oberlin Inn guests, as well as visiting faculty, visiting administrators, conference attendees, parents, and others sponsored by Oberlin College personnel. Regular Oberlin College account holders all have the capability to create sponsored accounts.

Lab and Library Computers:

Most lab computers will not require authentication by any individual. Authentication will be accomplished behind-the-scene by the lab administrators. Logins are currently required for all Windows lab computers (maintained by CIT) and will be required on all CIT-maintained Macintosh computers soon.

Library computers (Windows, and soon, Macs ) require logins, as well, and guests must register at the Circulation Desk and be assigned a Sponsored Account in order to gain access.

Sponsored Accounts:

In order to allow visiting, non-Oberlin College personnel the ability to access the College network, and still be compliant with the requirements of CALEA, guest network users will also be required to authenticate. In order to authenticate, they must have an assigned account, known as a "Sponsored Account".

Sponsored Accounts are accounts that can be created ("sponsored") by any Oberlin College account holder (faculty, staff, or student) for guest users. The account has restricted privileges, essentially allowing Internet access only. Oberlin College account holders can sponsor up to six accounts, with each sponsored account remaining effective for a maximum of five days. Some account holders will be able to create sponsored accounts with larger allocations, such as Oberlin Inn personnel, Library staff, and Conference Services staff. If you believe you need this capability, please send a message to cit@oberlin.edu, describing your requirements.

Oberlin College account holders - faculty, staff, and students - will authenticate via a secure web page and then will have the ability to see their existing sponsored accounts, as well as create and delete accounts. Accounts for the guest will be generated automatically. The sponsor is responsible for the activity on the Sponsored Account, ensuring compliance with the College's "Policy for the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources".

Complete details on Sponsored Accounts are available online at: http://www.oberlin.edu/cit/sponsoredaccts