In addition to our quick-start unsecured wireless connection to FCPLUnplugged!, FCPL wireless patrons have the option of using a  WPA-PSK encrypted secured connection.  The secured connection requires use of a PSK (Pre-Shared Key) or passphrase that can only be obtained using your Library barcode number and PIN. 

What is WPA?

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a class of systems designed to help secure wireless (Wi-Fi) computer networks.  WPA was created by the Wi-Fi Alliance, an industry trade group, which owns the trademark to the Wi-Fi name and certifies devices that carry that name.  WPA was designed to enhance the security of wireless networks.

What is PSK?

Pre-shared key mode (PSK) is designed for home and small office networks.  Users must enter a passphrase to access the network.  The passphrase may be stored on the users' computers at their discretion under most operating systems to avoid the need to re-enter it each time they connect to the wireless network (Note: The passphrase required to use a secured connection to FCPL Unplugged! will change several times a year for increased security).

How do I obtain the passphrase?

To obtain the passphrase from home or while using a Library-owned computer, go to http://catalog.forsythpl.org/polaris/Search/misc/esources.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&Category=194 and log into our Remote Patron Authentication server using your Library barcode number and PIN (If you don't remember your PIN, please contact staff at the Circulation Desk for assistance).  Once logged in, click on the "Secured Wireless Passphrase" option under the list of Authorized Links to the left, and the passphrase will be presented to you in a window.

If you are inside the Library and are using your own laptop and you do not know the current passphrase, you must first login to the unsecured FCPLUnplugged! wireless network.  When you open up your browser, you will be forwarded to the FCPLUnplugged! login page.   In order to obtain the passphrase, you must click the "To obtain the passphrase for this secured login option, Click Here!" link on the FCPLUnplugged! login page and log into our Remote Patron Authentication server using your Library barcode number and PIN (If you don't remember your PIN, please see staff at the Circulation Desk for assistance).  Once logged in, click on the "Secured Wireless Passphrase"  option under the list of Authorized Links to the left, and the passphrase will be presented to you in a window.

How do I access FCPL Unplugged! with a Secured Wireless Connection? 

Once you have obtained the passphrase, you will need to disconnect from the unsecured FCPLUnplugged! wireless network, if connected.  Now, connect to the WPA-PSK secure FCPL Unplugged! Secure wireless network and enter in the passphrase when prompted.

Known Issues when connecting to a WPA-PSK encrypted Network:

If you are using a Windows XP operating system without Service Pack 2, you will need to download an update before being able to connect to the WPA-PSK secured wireless network.  If you have Service Pack 2, there is no need to download these updates.  To read the Microsoft web page regarding the WPA-PSK encryption update please go to http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=815485 (Must be Logged in).  If you prefer to simply download the update and install it you can go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=009D8425-CE2B-47A4-ABEC-274845DC9E91&displaylang=en (Must be logged in) to be redirected to the Microsoft download webpage.

Since WPA-PSK encryption is a newer technology, some older laptops and wireless access cards may need to have updated drivers applied before you can use the secured connection to FCPL Unplugged!.  Please refer to your laptop or wireless access card manufacturer for the most recent drivers.

Logging in to FCPL Unplugged! using a secured connection (View Windows XP video).  The following login steps assume that your laptop or other device has already been setup for use with FCPL Unplugged!  Before you can login, your laptop or other device must at least be set to get its IP address via DHCP.  For many devices, no preliminary setup will be required. If you do need to manually adjust settings, see FCPL Unplugged! Setup Steps below.

1. Once your settings are correct and your laptop or other device finds the FCPL Unplugged! secure network, connect to the network and open up your Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, etc.)

2. Accept the usage Terms and Conditions outlined in the Forsyth County Public Library Wireless/Wired Internet Access policy.

3. Login to the FCPL Unplugged! secured network service using a Library barcode and PIN. Note: you will not be able to view the login page unless your network cable is plugged into a designated port or you are located within FCPL Unplugged! wireless signal range.

FCPL Unplugged! Setup Steps (If needed). Your laptop/device may not need any configuration changes in order to access FCPL Unplugged!  However, if you are not immediately able to connect, configure your laptop/device as follows (Note: You may need to have administrative rights to your computer in order to perform some of these steps.  Please note any configuration settings that you do change so that you will be able to restore your current settings if needed when you finish using FCPL Unplugged!):

1. Enable DHCP ("Obtain an IP address automatically") or set IP address to autoconnect. (View sample Windows XP video)

2. Remove all browser Proxy Settings.  (View sample Internet Explorer 7 video)

Manual Setup Steps if Still Not Connecting.  Note:  Sample screen shots, videos, and detailed instructions used throughout these help pages are based upon using the Windows Wireless Network Connection program to connect to our wireless network.  Depending on your laptop provider, it is possible that you may have another program installed that has priority over the Windows Wireless Network Connections program.  Please follow your manufacturer's instructions for use of your default wireless network configuration program, or click here for directions on how to make the Windows Wireless Network Connection program the default Windows program for configuration of wireless networks.

1. Set Your Wireless Network Interface Card to use a network type of "Any available network (access point preferred)" or "Access point (infrastructure) networks only" mode. (View sample Windows XP video)

2. Enter the "FCPL Unplugged Secure" SSID into your wireless network configuration software.

3. Enable WPA on your Wireless Network Interface Card. (View sample Windows XP video)

Details for Windows 2000, or XP Users:
Details for Windows Vista Users:
Details for Macintosh Mac OS 9 or OS X Users:

FCPL Unplugged! Troubleshooting Steps. If you are still unable to connect to FCPL Unplugged! try the following steps ( Note: You may need to have administrative rights to your computer in order to perform some of these steps.):

If you do not see the FCPL Unplugged! network or login page:

1. If your computer has an external wireless modem, make sure it is turned on.

2. Make sure your network connection is set up to accept any security certificate.  (View sample Windows XP video) All computers are different, but this setting is usually somewhere in the network or wireless settings.  You may see an icon near the lower right of your screen that you can double-click in order to access it.  Somewhere in the settings, you will see something referring to allowing remote sign in or accepting a security certificate.

3. Adjust settings to or temporarily turn off any firewall software (such as Zone Alarm, Windows Firewall, or Norton Internet Security).  If you have installed any personal firewall or other blocking software, you may need to adjust settings or temporarily disable it to allow access to the FCPL Unplugged! service.  You may need to adjust settings to authorize access to the Forsyth County Public Library network and/or the Internet.  Instructions for doing this vary by product.  Please refer to your manufacturer's website or manual.

4. After you have verified and corrected all of the above, reboot or power down and restart your laptop/network device.

5. You may need to refer to your own computer/device manufacturer, reseller, or user manual or support website for further assistance with anything that is different from the instructions provided.  Select links to support websites are provided below for your convenience.

   Apple Users' Airport Support Pages
   AT&T/ Cingular Wireless Phone/Device Support Forum Links Page (Select your manufacturer and search for 802.11 or Wi-Fi)
   Blackberry Users' Support Pages (Search for Wi-Fi or 802.11)
   Palm Users' Support Pages (Search for Wi-Fi and your model. Bluetooth is not supported on the FCPL Unplugged! network.)
   Verizon Wireless Phone/Device Support (Select your model, then search for Wi-Fi or 802.11)

If you see the FCPL Unplugged! login page, but still cannot connect:

1. Make sure you are entering your Library card barcode number and PIN correctly.  If you are unsure of your PIN, see staff at the Circulation Desk.

2. To ensure  proper authentication and authorization to use Library resources, you may need to adjust your Internet browser privacy and/or security settings to allow use of cookies and referring URL information.

   Internet Explorer 6.X & 7.X Users:
   Internet Explorer 5.X Users:
   
   
   

3. Adjust settings to or turn off any firewall software (such as Zone Alarm or Norton Internet Security).  If you have installed any personal firewall or other blocking software, you may need to adjust settings or temporarily disable it to allow access to the FCPL Unplugged! service.  You may need to adjust settings to authorize access to the Forsyth County Public Library network and/or the Internet.  Instructions for doing this vary by product.  Please refer to your manufacturer's website or manual.

If you are able to connect to FCPL Unplugged! but have problems connecting to individual websites, databases, or online resources, please refer to help pages for the resource in question. Help pages for the Forsythpl.org website are available at http://www.forsythpl.org/help .

Need to print from FCPL Unplugged!? You will need to install a LPT:One Print Client each time you use FCPL Unplugged! and wish to print from it. Click here or click on the "Printing From FCPL Unplugged!" link at the top of this page for more information.