PAL2.0 Configuration in Ubuntu Linux
Linux is a recognized player in the operating systems arena and Ubuntu is certainly one of its popular distributions. Still, my university doesn't provide documentation to connect a machine with Ubuntu Linux to the latest version of their wireless network, known as PAL2.0. So here are the configuration steps to get your Ubuntu Linux connected to Purdue AirLink.
To configure the network card, I use theNetwork Manager applet, which is a program included in the Ubuntu distribution and whose icon (two computers) can be found in the top right corner of the desktop. Right click over the icon and chose the option Connect to Hidden Wireless Network... Fill the fields according to the window below:
The CA Certificate file is found in /etc/ssl/certs/Thawte_Premium_Server_CA.pem. If you can't find it, need to install the ca-certificates package. I selected PEAP Version 0 (Microsoft version) since it allowed me to connect to the network. When using option Automatic, didn't work. Don't forget to type in your ITaP username and password. With Ubuntu 9.04, all configuration parameters are stored so you won't have to type them again when reconnecting to PAL2.0.
Here is a screenshot after the laptop connected to the network:
Many thanks to the Purdue Linux Users Group who provided the initial configuration details. I just updated the info to Ubuntu 9.04 and am hosting it (well, actually Purdue :).
Although 9.04 was used to show the required configuration, I have successfully followed the same basic steps when using Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10. Also, since Network Manager was used, guess other distributions using GNOME could also benefit from this information.
Ah! Don't forget, the information is provided here without any guarantees. Cheers!