Please note: The supported desktop operating systems in NTU are Windows Vista, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Support for other non-Windows operating systems like the MacOS, etc. is assisted on a best effort basis.
The configuration guides published here will help you get started with your MacOS X computers for use on our campus network. Check out the following settings that you'll need to configure:
The new MacOS X however has many internetworking features which interact quite seamlessly with the University's pre-dominantly Windows-based systems.
You can now share files on your MacOS X computer with Windows computer users or access Windows-based file shares as well. In addition, you'll be able to dial-up or use VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect remotely to the University's network too! For Mac buffs, start your exploration here today....
Campus Wired Network
By default MacOS 10.x uses DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to request for an IP address on the campus network. Just to check this is in order:
- From the
Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- Click
Network and choose Built-in Ethernet under Show:
- In the TCP/IP tab confirm Using DHCP is used. All other fields should be left blank as shown below.
Next for Internet access, you'll need to configure the proxy settings. To do so:
- Select the Proxies tab.
- Uncheck all Proxy settings.
- Click Apply Now when you're done.
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Campus Wireless Network - Open (Airport)
To setup your AirPort or Airport Extreme for use on NTUwireless:
Next for Internet access, you'll need to configure the proxy settings. To do so:
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- Click Network and choose AirPort under Show:
- In the TCP/IP tab confirm Using DHCP is used. All other fields should be left blank as shown below.
- Next select the Proxies tab.
- Uncheck all Proxy settings.
- Click Apply Now when you're done
- To use VPN (Virtual Private Network) for full data privacy on NTUwireless (recommended) click here
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Campus Wireless Network - Secured WPA (Airport)
Pre-requisite:
Wireless LAN adapter must support WPA for MAC. Please refer to respective manufacturer.
Advantages:
Wireless traffic is encrypted and is more secured compared to that of Open web-authentication (i.e. SSID: NTUWL). Strong encryption (AES) is used to ensure high data security in network traffic over the air.
Setting Up:
To setup your AirPort or Airport Extreme for use of WPA on NTUwireless:
Next for Internet access, you'll need to configure the proxy settings. To do so:
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- Click Network and choose AirPort under Show:
- In the TCP/IP tab confirm Using DHCP is used. All other fields should be left blank as shown below.
- Next select the Proxies tab.
- Uncheck all Proxy settings.
- Click Apply Now when you're done
- Using WPA, network traffic over the air is fully encrypted. You do not need to do VPN.
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Remote Access - Dial-up (Modem Settings)
To connect to the campus network through dial-up using the built-in modem:
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- Click Network and choose Internal Modem under Show:
- Click on the PPP tab and enter the information as show. Please use your Network Account for Account Name i.e. student\username. For the list of dial-up numbers to use, please
click here
- Select the Proxies tab. Uncheck all Proxy settings.
- Click Apply Now when you're done.
- To start your dial-up session, select the PPP tab and click on Dial Now...
- Once connection is established, you'll see the following status window. The Modem icon in the menu bar will also display as
with your session time. To disconnect your session, just click on Disconnect
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Remote Access - VPN (Virtual Private Network) on MacOS X 10.4 Tiger
MacOS X 10.4 Tiger come with VPN feature to allow you to make use of the Internet's infrastructure to move secured data to and from the campus network. Through VPN, you'll have access to the University's e-services or computing facilities that are not made available on the Internet or WWW (World-Wide Web) i.e. access to your Laboratory's UNIX servers, network printers, file shares, personal webpage folders, etc. To "tunnel-in":
Remote Access - VPN (Virtual Private Network) on MacOS X 10.5 Leopard
MacOS X 10.5 Leopard come with VPN feature to allow you to make use of the Internet's infrastructure to move secured data to and from the campus network. Through VPN, you'll have access to the University's e-services or computing facilities that are not made available on the Internet or WWW (World-Wide Web) i.e. access to your Laboratory's UNIX servers, network printers, file shares, personal webpage folders, etc. To "tunnel-in":
- First make sure you already have Internet connection i.e. from your ISP (Internet Service Provider) dial-up or broadband service
- Next select the
icon (on the Dock) and System Preference
- Double-click the Network icon under the Internet & Network column.
- Click "+" to select the interface
- Select VPN for the interface and PPTP for VPN type, type in "NTU VPN" in Service Name and click Create
- Configure the VPN interface as follows:
Configuration: Default
Server Address: vpngate.ntu.edu.sg
Account Name: Your username in the form of student\username or staff\username or assoc\username
Encryption: Automatic(128 bit or 40 bit)
- Click Authentication Settings and leave the Password screen empty
- Click Advanced and leave the settings under Options, VPN on Demand, TCP/IP, DNS and Proxies screen according to the following. Click Apply to save the setting
- To start using VPN, click on Connect.
For future connection click on 
and click on Connect or click 
icon (on the Dock) and select Connect NTU VPN
- If your login is successful, the VPN icon in the menu bar will be displayed as follows
with session time. To disconnect your session, just click on Disconnect
Accessing Windows Files or Personal Webpage
MacOS X supports Windows file services, making easier for you to browse shared Windows volumes like your personal webpage folder, etc. For example to access your personal webpage on the web servers:
Basic Connectivity Troubleshooting
If you're unable to access the Internet on the wired network, first check the network cable connection.
For the wireless network, please first verify your wireless link on NTUwireless. The AirPort icon should be displayed as 
on the menu bar.
Next to check your computer has been assigned an IP address:
Software Update and Knowledge Base
For configuration issues, FAQs or self-help, you can refer to the Apple Knowledge Base at http://kbase.info.apple.com/.
Periodically Apple also releases updates to your computer's software. To prevent network intrusions or attacks exploiting the weaknesses of your Mac computer, please always apply the latest software updates to your machine. To do so:
- First make sure your computer is connected to the Internet. Next from the Apple menu, select System Preferences...
- Click on
Software Update and then Check Now to perform an update
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