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Support Status
MITnet Wi-Fi Connections for Mobile Devices
MIT Certificates
Email
TechTime™
Purchasing a Mobile Device

Support Status

Support is now available from IS&T for the following mobile devices: Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm OS. Specifically, the IS&T Service Desk can assist users with:

• getting a wireless connection to MITnet;
• getting MIT IMAP email;
• synchronizing the device with their MIT TechTime™ calendar (Windows Mobile only).

Support Status as of March 2009
IS&T will discontinue support of Palm OS as of September 30, 2009. IS&T does not recommend Palm OS when purchasing a new mobile device.

IS&T recommends, and fully supports, Windows Mobile devices, and provides limited support for iPhone and BlackBerry devices.

Members of the MIT community using mobile devices based on operating systems other than iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm (e.g., Android, Linux, Symbian) may find the MIT Mobile Wiki [ Certificates required] a good resource for assistance.

The mobile-device market is changing rapidly, and IS&T will continue to evaluate and consider supporting new devices and related services.

MITnet Wi-Fi Connections for Mobile Devices

Several different wireless communication methods are in common use: cellular telephone, Bluetooth, infrared, and a set of standards endorsed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) under the general name 802.11. These standards are commonly known as high-speed wireless or Wi-Fi.

MITnet's wireless operates on the IEEE standard 802.11b/g/n. Some MIT labs may use other connection methods, but 802.11b/g/n on MITnet is the wireless method supported by Information Services and Technology.

To connect a Wi-Fi mobile device to MITnet:

• your mobile device must have either an integrated or a plug-in 802.11b/g/n communications interface;
• your mobile device must have a web browser capable of connecting to secure web sites;
• you must have an MIT Kerberos username and password.

Configuration procedures for Wi-Fi connection to MITnet are on these device pages: Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile.

Wireless Coverage
The MIT campus is fully wireless, including dorms. Each campus building, however, is a separate wireless subnet. Since the MITnet wireless infrastructure does not support roaming between subnets, users are likely to lose connections while moving from one building to another. Even though mobile devices tend to re-establish connections more easily than other wireless devices (e.g., laptops), it is recommended that users shut down their devices when roaming between buildings and subnets.

Signal Strength
Mobile devices are more susceptible to variations in signal strength than laptop computers. Several factors contribute to the variability in cellular signals on campus, including a vendor's coverage, physical barriers, and technology issues. IS&T is working with cell phone vendors and with new technology to improve signal strength across campus.

MIT Certificates

Palm OS devices do not have the ability to import personal certificates.

It is possible to install MIT personal certificates on Windows Mobile and iPhone devices, although the process involves multiple steps, and is not supported by the IS&T Help Desk at this time.

Windows Mobile
For those who need to install certificates on Windows Mobile devices, draft instructions are available on the MIT Mobile Devices Wiki.

• MIT Certificates on Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and 6 Professional [ Certificates required]
• MIT Certificates on Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone and 6 Standard [ Certificates required]

Apple iPhone
iPhone users can download and install the MIT CA (Certificate Authority) and their personal certificates directly from the MIT Mobile Web at http://m.mit.edu.
Note: You must be running iPhone software 2.0 or higher.

• Apple iPhone: Install MIT Personal Certificate

Email

Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile devices come with a built-in email client. These clients are capable of handling MIT IMAP email. Consult the specific device page for more information, including configuration procedures, or contact the Service Desk.

TechTime™

MIT TechTime™, based on Oracle Calendar, is MIT's enterprise-wide calendaring system. Accounts on TechTime™ are free to any member of the MIT community with a Kerberos username and password.

IS&T supports the following for synchronizing mobile devices with TechTime™:

• IS&T recommends Synthesis SyncML as the preferred and the most reliable application for wireless synchronization on Windows Mobile and Palm OS. IS&T provides SyncML to MIT faculty, staff, and students at no charge.
• Although Oracle Calendar Sync for Palm on Macintosh OS X and Windows continues to be supported by IS&T, it is less reliable and, therefore, not recommended.

Known Issue: The Treo 650 and Tungsten E2 and T5, running Palm OS 5.4, are not compatible with Oracle Calendar Sync for Palm 9.0.4 for Macintosh, and cannot synchronize with MIT's TechTime™.

Purchasing a Mobile Device

IS&T is not in a position to recommend specific mobile devices for purchase. Before making a purchase, consider carefully your workflow, phone features, and cellular coverage. For information on MIT's partner and other cellular service vendors, see Cellular Telephones.

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