UIUCnet QuickConnect

What is UIUCnet QuickConnect?

UIUCnet QuickConnect is a simple, web-based method of logging in to the UIUCnet network, whether you're using the campus wireless network or walkup computing. Best of all, you don't need to install extra software (such as a VPN client) in order to use UIUCnet QuickConnect.

How do I use QuickConnect?

1. Open a browser window. Enter an http:// URL such as http://www.illinois.edu/ and the login screen will appear.
   • Note: Do NOT use an https:// URL such as Express Email for the first location you connect to. QuickConnect can place its login screen in front of an http:// URL, but not in front of an https:// URL. After you've logged in, you can visit Express Email or any other https:// URL of your choosing.
2. Click the Login button in the left side of the window.
3. Use your Network ID and Active Directory password to authenticate.
   (How to know your Network ID.)
   • Note: If you're a guest with a temporary account, you can use your guest ID and password for UIUCnet QuickConnect as well as for the VPN.

About five seconds after you've authenticated, you'll be logged in to the UIUCnet network. A small pop-up window will appear with welcome information and a logout button. (However, if your browser is set to kill all pop-ups, UIUCnet QuickConnect will still work correctly -- but you'll have to open a new window to log out when you're finished.)

When the renewal pop-up is left open, UIUCnet QuickConnect will automatically renew your connection once an hour while you remain connected to the network. When you're finished, use the logout window or visit http://quickconnect.cites.uiuc.edu/ to end your networking session.

• Note: Use one computer at a time. You can't log in from more than one computer simultaneously. If you use your Network ID and Active Directory password to log in from a second computer, then your first computer's credentials will be cancelled.

What can QuickConnect do?

UIUCnet QuickConnect is designed for simple access to common services which do not distribute passwords in unencrypted form.

Specifically, you can use QuickConnect when you need to access:

• http:// web pages (for example, the UIUC home page)
• https:// web pages (for example, the CITES Express Email web interface)
• CITES NetFiles (including both the web interface and WebDAV clients)
• Illinois Compass and other CITES Educational Technologies courseware
• Certain Instant Messaging clients (for example, AIM and MSN Messenger)
• Secure protocols such as SSH, SFTP, and secure POP/IMAP.
• Printing (through printers which allow QuickConnect connections)

What can't QuickConnect do?

For security purposes, QuickConnect won't allow you to connect to unusual services or services that are known to distribute passwords in an unencrypted form. For access to facilities not available through QuickConnect, you'll need to use either a VPN client or UIwpa2 Secure Wireless.

The easiest way to know whether you need to use a method other than QuickConnect is if you tried to access something on the network through QuickConnect and it didn't work.

• After you've gone through the QuickConnect login page, make sure you're correctly connected to QuickConnect. (You can check this by visiting a website on a common port, such as http://www.illinois.edu/.)
  
  
• Try to perform the network action you're wondering about (such as checking email through a mail client or instant-messaging a friend).

If you successfully connect to the web site but you aren't able to complete the other action, there are two possibilities:

1. The application you tried to use isn't correctly configured to work with UIUCnet QuickConnect.
   (For example, your mail client's configuration may be trying to use insecure POP or IMAP rather than secure POP or IMAP.)
   
   In this case, you may be able to reconfigure your application to use secure communication methods instead of insecure ones.
   
   
2. The action you tried to take is prohibited by UIUCnet QuickConnect's security settings.
   (For example, Yahoo Messenger connections will often fail because the Yahoo client sometimes tries to connect using telnet or FTP ports, which are blocked on QuickConnect. However, other instant messaging clients like AOL or MSN should succeed.)
   
   In this case, you will need to use the VPN or UIwpa2 to identify yourself as part of the UIUCnet network and to provide additional security for actions that are considered too insecure for QuickConnect.

For a comprehensive explanation of when QuickConnect is sufficient by itself and when additional security is required, see UIUCnet QuickConnect and Security.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

For troubleshooting information and frequently asked questions, see:

• The QuickConnect FAQ
• The VPN and Wireless FAQ
• The Walkup FAQ