Wireless Internet access is available in select areas across campus, including the first floor lounge of most residence halls, via the
FlashZone wireless network. Please review the map of
current wireless coverage to see if FlashZone is available in your area. Note that wireless access in individual dorm rooms is limited to the Stopher/Johnson and Eastway halls, and the use of personal wireless routers on campus is
prohibited. To connect to the Internet from your room, you will need to connect using the wired
ResNet network. To access the wireless Flashzone network, your computer must meet certain hardware and software requirements, detailed below.
Operating System
Your computer must be running Windows XP or later, or Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later. Computers running the Linux operating system are also welcome, though available technical support will be limited. Please be sure to download and install all available operating system updates and patches for you computer before you arrive on campus. For information on updating your computer, please see our
instruction page.
Please note: Computers running Windows 98, Windows ME, or Mac OS 9 are not supported and will be unable to connect to the Internet on campus. Microsoft and Apple have discontinued support for these systems and are no longer providing critical security updates for them, making their use a security risk. If your computer is running an outdated operating system, you will need to upgrade the software and/or hardware before you arrive.
Spyware and Virus Protection
All computers running the Windows operating system
must have the Kent State licensed copy of McAfee VirusScan software installed. This software is available to all Kent students at no charge, and will protect you from viruses, trojans, and other threats. Please see our
Virus information page for details on how to obtain and use this software. Every Windows-based computer should also be running a quality anti-spyware program to prevent spyware, adware, and other malware from disrupting your computer's stability and performance. Please see our
Spyware information page for more details.
FlashZone WPA for Windows XP
Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections
Find the Wireless Network Connection icon and make sure it is enabled. Also, make sure the antenna is turned on. There will usually be a button, switch, or key-combo on the laptop to do so.
Right-click on Wireless Network Connection and select “View Available Wireless Networks”
Select the “FLASHZONE-WPA” wireless network, and click the Connect button. You should get an error message, which can be ignored for now. Select the “Change the order of preferred networks” link under Related Tasks on the left.
Make sure “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” is selected. Under “Preferred networks”, remove “FLASHZONE” if it is listed (leave “FLASHZONE-WPA”), and then select the Advanced button.
Uncheck the “Automatically connect to non-preferred networks” box, and click Close.
Under “Preferred networks” in the “Wireless Network Connection Properties” window, select “FLASHZONE-WPA” and click the Properties button. Verify that “WPA” is selected from the “Network Authentication” list, and “AES” from the “Data encryption” list.
Select the Authentication tab. Select “Protected EAP” from the “EAP type” list, and select the Properties button.
Uncheck the “Validate server certificate” box, then verify the “Authentication Method” is set to “Secured password” and select the Configure button.
Uncheck the “Automatically use my Windows logon name and password” box, and click OK.
Click OK in the “Protected EAP Properties” window, the “Wireless network properties” window, and the “Wireless Network Connection Properties” window.
Click the “select a certificate or other credentials” balloon that should have appeared by the clock. If it doesn’t appear right away, right-click on the Wireless Network Connection icon and select “Repair”.
Enter your FlashLine ID and password in the appropriate box, enter “KENT” as the logon domain, then click OK.
You should see a new balloon by the clock that confirms you are connected to the FLASHZONE-WPA network. Open up a web browser and verify that you are connected.
FlashZone WPA for Windows Vista
Make sure the wireless antenna is turned on. There will usually be a button, switch, or key-combo on the laptop to do so.
Go to the Start menu and select “Connect To”.
Select “FLASHZONE-WPA” and click the Connect button. If you get an error, select the “Diagnose and repair” option, then try again.
Select the “Enter/select additional log on information” button.
Enter your FlashLine ID and password in the appropriate box, enter “KENT” as the logon domain, then click OK.
Select the “Enter/select additional log on information” button again from the “Additional log on information is required” window. Click OK to accept the certificate.
Make sure both boxes are selected, and click Close.
Open up a web browser and verify that you are connected.
FlashZone WPA for Mac OS X
Select the AirPort menu in the top-right corner of the screen, by the clock. Make sure AirPort is turned on and select “FLASHZONE-WPA”. If you don’t see the AirPort menu, go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network > AirPort and check the “Show AirPort status” box.
Enter your FlashLine ID and password in the appropriate box. Check the “Remember password” box and then click OK.
You should be presented with a “Verify Certificate” window. Select the “Show Certificate” button, then check “Always trust these certificates” and click Continue.
Open up a web browser and verify that you are connected.
New Computer Recommendations
If you are planning on purchasing a new computer for the school year, you are encouraged to follow the guidelines below to ensure that your computer will serve you well into your academic career. For a more detailed list of hardware recommendations, please see the University Helpdesk's
Computer Recommendations page. Students with older computers will be supported as long as they meet the software requirements listed above. Students are encouraged to purchase laptop computers for the added portability and decreased space usage.
- Memory: 512MB (Minimum) / 1GB (Recommended; Required for Windows Vista)
- Hard Drive: 60GB (Minimum) / 100GB (Recommended)
- Processor: 1.5Ghz (Minimum) / 2Ghz (Recommended)
- Wireless: All laptops should have an 802.11g wireless card.
- Warranty: You are strongly encouraged to purchase at least a three-year extended warranty to protect your investment in your new computer system.
Students purchasing new computers can receive attractive educational discounts when purchasing from the following vendors.
Network Hardware
To access the wireless network, every computer must have a wireless network interface adapter with properly installed device drivers (the software that controls the adapter). Your wireless card must support the 802.11g Wireless LAN standard to connect to the FlashZone network at adequate speeds. Cards supporting the older 802.11b standard can also connect to FlashZone, though connection speeds will be reduced. Appropriate wireless cards come standard with most new laptops. Should you need one, proper wireless cards are available for purchase at the ResNet helpdesk.