Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
mac_connectivity [2016/01/29 22:26]
jrodriguez [Auto-Connect for Wireless Connections]
mac_connectivity [2016/02/01 18:23] (current)
jrodriguez
Line 1: Line 1:
 +====== Connectivity ======
  
 +iPass supports a variety of network connectivity types, including Mobile Broadband, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. These types can be individually enabled in the iPass Portal.
 +
 +<note important>​Depending on their Service Order, the user may have to disconnect from a network before connecting to a network lower on the list. You can change the Service Order by opening **System Preferences** > **Network** > //settings drop down// > **Set Service Order…**</​note>​
 +
 +===== Mobile Broadband =====
 +
 +iPass serves as a Mobile Broadband (cellular) connection manager. For a complete list of support devices, see the iPass Release Notes for Mac.
 +
 +In order to utilize a Mobile Broadband adapter with iPass, the hardware drivers for the adapter must first be installed on the user’s machine, and the card must be activated. When Open Mobile detects a Mobile Broadband adapter, it will attempt to detect an available wireless signal. Detected networks will appear in the Available Networks list. The end user can then select the Mobile Broadband network from the Available Networks list to connect. Mobile Broadband networks can also be configured for Auto-Connect to Home Networks. ​
 +
 +iPass displays usage statistics in Connection History. Customers with pricing plans based on usage can quickly determine their accumulated usage. ​
 +
 +==== Roaming Messages ====
 +
 +If roaming is enabled (in the iPass Portal), the user will be prompted by a customizable message when they attempt to connect to a roaming network. They can then make or cancel the connection.
 +
 +===== Wi-Fi =====
 +
 +Open Mobile serves as a universal Wi-Fi connection manager that can be used to connect to various types of Wi-Fi networks.
 +
 +<note important>​iPass relies on Mac OS Wi-Fi, and if Wi-Fi has been disabled by the user, or by some other Wi-Fi connection manager, Open Mobile will not be able to function for Wi-Fi connectivity. ​
 +
 +Open Mobile for Mac does not currently support 802.1x.
 +</​note>​
 +
 +==== Hotspot Finder ====
 +
 +If you’re travelling, you can easily look up the location of all iPass Wi-Fi hotspots with the iPass Hotspot finder. To access the Hotspot Finder, select **iPass Open Mobile > Hotspot Finder**.
 +
 +==== Network Types ====
 +
 +Open Mobile can be used to connect to home and other personal Wi-Fi networks. ​
 +
 +  * //Private and public Wi-Fi//: if the proper credentials are used, Open Mobile can be used to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots in hotels, cafes and other venues.
 +  * //Home Wi-Fi//: home Wi-Fi networks can be added to the user’s Personal Networks list, enabling quick and easy connections at home.
 +
 +==== Security ====
 + 
 +Open Mobile supports the following security types:
 +  * Open (None)
 +  * WEP-Open (key index 1-4)
 +  * WEP-Shared (key index 1-4)
 +  * WPA-PSK/​TKIP
 +  * WPA-PSK/AES
 +  * WPA2-PSK/​TKIP
 +  * WPA2-PSK/​AES
 +
 +==== iPass Hotspot Connectivity ====
 +
 +iPass can be used to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots that are part of the iPass network. Using iPass at these locations lets the user bypass the normal sign in and billing associated with that location. ​
 +
 +==== Non-iPass Hotspot Connectivity ====
 +
 +iPass can also be used to assist with log in to hotspots that are not part of the iPass network service. ​ If a hotspot login procedure is needed, iPass launches a browser window for the user to complete the sign in. After logging in, Open Mobile will complete any procedures that the administrator has configured (such as VPN or Event Action launch)
 +
 +If a login attempt to an iPass Hotspot fails, the user can either retry or log in to the hotspot through a non-iPass Hotspot browser login window. Browser log in, by design, bypasses any proxy settings a user might have configured in preferred browser settings. Self-contained browser log in simplifies the user experience, since the user does not need to change proxy settings temporarily to log in, and the browser does not need to rely on a proxy server. ​
 +
 +==== Inherited Connections ====
 +
 +Open Mobile will detect Wi-Fi connections made with other connection managers that utilize Mac OS Wi-Fi capabilities and can inherit such connections,​ becoming the connection manager of choice. Open Mobile also inherits Ethernet connections. The user can view the status and usage statistics for these sessions and can use Open Mobile to disconnect from them. 
 +
 +An inherited connection will be charged like any connection initiated by iPass, and data collected from inherited connections will show up in iPass Insight reports.
 +
 +==== OpenAccess ====
 +
 +You can make the free OpenAccess Wi-Fi access points available to your users in the Open Mobile Portal. Use of an OpenAccess hotspot will not incur the user any cost to connect and are marked with this icon: {{:​openaccessicon.jpg?​nolink&​17|}}
 +
 +For some free networks, Open Mobile may display both the free, OpenAccess version and the iPass (pay) version of the network.
 +
 +If a user attempts to connect to a free OpenAccess network and the connection fails, then if there is an alternate iPass network available, the user will be connected to the iPass network instead. However, depending on your access plan, there may be an additional charge incurred for connection to the iPass access point. This capability is currently not configurable.
 +
 +<note important>​The first time the user connects to the Internet they will be registered for OpenAccess; however, if they try to connect using an OpenAccess network before they register, the connection will fail (and an error message explaining this will open).</​note>​
 +
 +==== Gogo Inflight Internet ====
 +
 +Gogo Inflight Internet access points are found on many major airlines and may be included in the iPass directory, if your organization chose this service. Gogo Inflight requires you to enter a CAPTCHA phrase to verify a person (not a machine) requested access.
 +
 +<note important>​If your organization has not opted-in to this service, Gogo will launch a browser window for you to log in using your own Gogo Inflight account information or credit card.</​note>​
 +
 +===== Auto-Connect for Wireless Connections =====
 +
 +The Auto-Connect feature enables users to automatically connect to their preferred wireless networks, either by Mobile Broadband or Wi-Fi. Networks can include Mobile Broadband, personal Wi-Fi, or iPass Wi-Fi network access points. In addition, the user can choose to prefer known Wi-Fi or always select Mobile Broadband for automatic connectivity. Properly configured, Auto-Connect can make connecting to the Internet a ‘zero-click’ experience.
 +
 +If Auto-Connect is enabled, iPass will automatically re-connect to a network when the user is unintentionally disconnected. ​ Auto-reconnect helps automate the connection process if the user temporarily loses signal or loses a connection because of some other factor.
 +
 +You can enable Auto-Connect policies in the [[configure_connection_policy&#​auto-connect_for_windows_and_mac|Open Mobile Portal]]. (The Auto-Connect setting for personal networks is enabled by individual users in Open Mobile, under **Options**.) ​
 +
 +<note important>​For a true Auto-Connect experience, you should also make sure that the Save Password option is turned on, or else users will be prompted to enter their passwords upon each connection.</​note>​
 +
 +When multiple networks are available in the same location, Open Mobile uses a sophisticated algorithm to determine which network to choose for Auto-Connect. ​ This algorithm chooses from the available networks using a combination of connection history, signal strength, user preference, and administrator-defined preferences. ​
 +
 +Manually disconnecting from a network will automatically turn off Auto-Connect for all networks. Auto-Connect will be turned back on automatically after the user establishes another connection, reboots, or returns from sleep or hibernation mode.
 +
 +To disable iPass from automatically connecting at start-up, deselect the iPass application box from the Users & Groups pop-up. ​
 +
 +{{:​macstartup.jpg|}}
 +
 +To disable automatic launch of iPass at start-up, deselect the iPass checkbox.
 +
 +You can also deselect the "Open at Login" docking station prompt to disable the automatic launch of iPass at start-up.
 +
 +===== Ethernet =====
 +
 +
 +iPass will inherit any Ethernet connection previously made using another connection manager. ​
 +
 +
 +=====Network Ranking=====
 +
 +Network Ranking settings control the order in which networks are ranked and displayed in the Open Mobile Available Networks list, with highest-ranked networks shown at the top of the list.  Ranking is determined by a complex algorithm that factors network type, connection history, signal strength, and provisioner type to determine the display order. The most influential factors in your particular network ranking depend on the ranking option you select from the following:
 +
 +
 +    * **Favor previously connected networks (for consistency)**: ​ Ranks any networks to which the user has previously connected.
 +    * **Favor known networks (for security)**: ​  Ranks networks about which Open Mobile has information. In order of priority, these are personal networks, networks that are listed in a directory, and any networks to which the user has previously connected.
 +    * **Favor Wi-Fi (to reduce costs)**: ​ Ranks Wi-Fi networks above others, but connection history, directory, and signal strength are also considered, and due to these factors, Wi-Fi may still not be the top network.
 +    * **Favor signal strength (for best performance)**: ​ Ranks the wireless networks (that is, Wi-Fi or Mobile Broadband) with the strongest current signals.
 +
 +Go to: **[[:​mac_help|Open Mobile for Mac Help]]** ​
 +
 +{{tag>​connectivity security mac}}
 

©2015 iPass Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use