In Mac OS X, how do I configure my network settings to use my AirPort card?

Note: This document assumes you are using Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

Before connecting to a wireless network, you may have to configure your network settings to use AirPort. Normally AirPort is activated by default, but if it isn't, follow the instructions below:

Mac OS X 10.5

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences... . In System Preferences, from the View menu, select Network.
   
   
2. Look for "AirPort" in the list of network ports on the left side of the Network preferences window; the icon to its right will be a blue signal indicator. If it's there, skip to step 4. If it's not, follow the next step to activate it.
   
   
3. Near the bottom left of the Network preferences window, click + (the plus sign). In the sheet that drops down, next to "Interface:", select AirPort. Click Create.
   
   
4. Click the AirPort listing in the list of ports. If it says "Inactive", click the gear icon below the port list and select Make Service Active.
   
   
5. On the right side of the Network preferences window will be a "Status:" indicator. If it says "Off", click Turn AirPort On.
   
   
6. Click the Advanced... button, and click the TCP/IP tab. From the menu next to "Configure IPv4:", make sure that Using DHCP is selected. Click OK.
   
   
7. Click Apply to save this configuration.

Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences... . In System Preferences, from the View menu, select Network.
   
   
2. From the menu next to "Show:", select AirPort. If it isn't available, select Network Port Configurations and click the checkbox next to AirPort. Then, from the menu, select AirPort.
   
   
3. On the TCP/IP tab, from the menu next to "Configure:" or "Configure IPv4:", make sure that Using DHCP is selected.
   
   
4. Click Apply to save this configuration.

Note: If you are a student, faculty member, or staff member at Indiana University Bloomington or IUPUI, use the IU Secure network for wireless access. For help, see What is IU Secure? If you are visiting IU, instead see At IUB and IUPUI, what is a Network Access account, and how do I get one?

Note: If you are at Indiana University, once you've connected to the wireless network, you should also connect to your campus VPN server. For instructions, see In Mac OS X, how do I make a VPN connection to the IU network?

Also see:

• In Mac OS and Mac OS X, how do I find out what version of the operating system I have?