Upcoming changes to MIT’s WiFi networks

ist.mit.edu

8 pointsgreyface-9 comments

It’ll require an email address and show a captive portal. I wonder how many random devices will no longer be on the network as a result of this?

I think those devices could use the psk option?

Yeah, assuming they're not just random wifi devices people have around MIT campus.

It really depends... I'm sure they're not going to be using one single key for everybody; it'll be 802.1X, which a lot of devices don't support.

The portal is mist.com, so I'd assume it's using a form of MPSK - https://www.mist.com/documentation/multi-psk/

NPSM33 is cited as the requirement guiding the section to require preregistration to use the WiFi network. But skimming NPSM33, it seems to be mostly about research security and disclosure of foreign interests in finding applications.

Out of curiosity, why is MIT (and presumably others) relating this to WiFi access.

I like an open guest network WiFi when I’m visiting a place…

(1) https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/010422...

Editorialized title, please use the original one

> Upcoming changes to MIT’s open WiFi networks

Guidelines say "please use the original title, unless it is misleading".

The original title is misleading, as it suggests that the network will remain open after the changes.

Edit: I've changed it from "MIT to discontinue open campus WiFi on January 13" to "Upcoming changes to MIT’s WiFi networks", which is closer to the original but omits "open".

> Beginning January 13 at 10 a.m. EST, the “MIT GUEST” network will use a captive portal registration system (similar to a splash page). Visitors connecting to “MIT GUEST” will be required to provide an email address or mobile phone number to access the network.

This still sounds like an open WiFi to me.

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