Connect to FalconNet Wi-Fi – Chromebook

Learn how to connect a Chromebook to Cedar Crest College's FalconNet wireless network and troubleshoot common connection problems.

Overview

FalconNet is the wireless network available to Cedar Crest College students, faculty, and staff throughout campus.

Follow these instructions to connect your Chromebook to FalconNet and troubleshoot common wireless connection problems.

Note: These instructions apply to Chromebooks running ChromeOS. Menu names and settings may vary slightly depending on your Chromebook model and ChromeOS version.

Before You Begin

Make sure that:

• You are on the Cedar Crest College campus.
• Wi-Fi is turned on.
• You have your current FalconNet username and password.

If you recently changed your password, you may need to forget your saved FalconNet connection and reconnect.

Connect to FalconNet

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner of your Chromebook screen.
2. Select the Wi-Fi or network icon to display available wireless networks.
3. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
4. Select FalconNet from the available networks.
5. If prompted, enter your Cedar Crest College credentials and configure the wireless authentication settings.

Wireless Authentication Settings

FalconNet uses enterprise wireless authentication, which may require additional settings on your Chromebook.

Setting	Configuration
EAP Method	PEAP, if confirmed by Cedar Crest IT
EAP Phase 2 Authentication	MSCHAPV2, if confirmed by Cedar Crest IT
Server CA Certificate	Select the certificate validation option specified by Cedar Crest IT
Domain Suffix Match	Enter the authentication domain provided by Cedar Crest IT
Identity	Your FalconNet username or Cedar Crest email address, as required
Anonymous Identity	Leave blank unless otherwise instructed
Password	Your current FalconNet password

Important: Do not select Do not check or disable certificate validation to bypass an authentication error. If your Chromebook requires a certificate or domain that you do not know, contact IT Support.

The settings above must match Cedar Crest's current wireless authentication configuration.

6.  After entering the required information, click Connect.
7.  Wait for your Chromebook to establish the connection.
8.  Open Chrome and visit a website to confirm that your internet connection is working.

Once connected, your Chromebook should automatically reconnect to FalconNet whenever you return to campus.

Troubleshoot FalconNet Connection Problems

If your Chromebook cannot connect to FalconNet, repeatedly asks for your password, or displays an authentication error, try the following steps.

Step 1: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Select the network icon.
3. Confirm Wi-Fi is turned on.
4. Make sure Airplane mode is turned off.
5. Turn Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
6. Select FalconNet and try connecting again.

If FalconNet does not appear, move to another campus location and check the available networks again.

Step 2: Forget FalconNet and Reconnect

Your Chromebook may have saved an outdated password or wireless configuration.

Forgetting FalconNet removes the saved settings so you can reconnect.

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner.
2. Select Settings (gear icon).
3. Select Network → Wi-Fi.
4. Select Known networks or Saved networks, depending on your ChromeOS version.
5. Locate FalconNet.
6. Select FalconNet and choose Forget.

Reconnect to FalconNet:

1. Return to the Wi-Fi network list.
2. Select FalconNet.
3. Enter your current FalconNet credentials.
4. Complete the required wireless authentication settings.
5. Click Connect.

After connecting, open Chrome and verify that you can access the internet.

Step 3: Restart Your Chromebook

If forgetting and reconnecting does not resolve the problem:

1. Save your work and close any open applications.
2. Click the time in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select the Power icon to shut down your Chromebook.
4. Wait approximately 15 seconds.
5. Turn your Chromebook back on.
6. Try connecting to FalconNet again.

Step 4: Check for Common Connection Issues

Incorrect Username or Password

Verify that you are entering your current FalconNet credentials.

If you recently changed your password, forget FalconNet and reconnect using your new password.

Authentication Error

If your Chromebook displays an authentication error:

1. Confirm your username and password are correct.
2. Verify the EAP authentication settings.
3. Confirm the required certificate and domain settings.
4. Try connecting again.

Do not disable certificate validation to bypass an authentication error.

FalconNet Does Not Appear

• Confirm Wi-Fi is enabled.
• Move to another campus location.
• Restart your Chromebook.
• Check whether other wireless networks appear.

If your Chromebook cannot detect any wireless networks, the issue may be related to its wireless adapter or configuration.

Connected but No Internet

If your Chromebook connects to FalconNet but cannot access the internet:

1. Open Chrome and try visiting another website.
2. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
3. Restart your Chromebook.
4. Try connecting from another campus location.

If multiple devices in the same location cannot connect, there may be a campus wireless issue.

Certificate or Domain Error

ChromeOS may require a trusted certificate authority and authentication domain when connecting to enterprise wireless networks.

If you receive a certificate-related error, do not bypass the warning or disable certificate validation.

Submit an IT Support Request for assistance verifying the correct settings.

Step 5: Check Your Chromebook's Date and Time

Incorrect system time can sometimes interfere with secure wireless authentication.

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select System preferences → Date and time, or search Settings for Date and time.
4. Confirm the date, time, and time zone are correct.
5. Try reconnecting to FalconNet.

Step 6: Check MAC Address Settings

Some Chromebooks support randomized MAC addresses to improve privacy when connecting to wireless networks.

For normal FalconNet use, leave the default privacy settings enabled unless Cedar Crest IT instructs you otherwise.

If your connection is affected by device registration or MAC address restrictions, IT Support may need to verify which MAC address your Chromebook is using.

Still Need Help?

If you cannot connect to FalconNet after following these instructions, please submit an IT Support Request.

Include:

• Your Chromebook manufacturer and model (HP, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, etc.)
• Your ChromeOS version, if known
• Your location on campus (building and room, if applicable)
• Any error messages displayed
• Troubleshooting steps you have already attempted

For your security, do not include passwords or verification codes in your support request.