802.1x and the iPhone

So I don't think this is possible right now to
connect to an 802.1x network from the iPhone. I am
posting for 2 reasons.

1. Anybody figure out a way to do this?

or if not...

2. Apple, we really need this in a software update...

There are other threads out there with responses from employees that state that it's only WEP, WPA (PSK only) and WPA2. So I agree with #2 above. At the very least they should be supporting what works out of the box on OS X laptops.

I too am really shocked that the iPhone doesn't seem to support 802.1x...but this is what I've concluded since I can't figure out how to make it happen. Has anyone else been able to connect w/ an 802.1x network?

I also have been unable to connect using 802.1x. I am inside a building where I also cannot connect using EDGE about half the time, need to walk over to a window to use. So it is annoying not to be able to use the data side of the device at work. I hope apple as this functionality or someone figures out how. I do not see a place to enter a user name, only a password

Saw this when researching this issue.

http://8help.osu.edu/3454.html

I am familiar with this wireless standard. It is a precursor to WPA and was meant to make WEP access more secure. Unfortunately you are transmitting your username and password in clear text (unless you install a certificate first) and can actually be a bigger security risk than benefit.

The iPhone does not support it and don't expect support to expand much in the future.

(Warning, ranting)
After returning from vacation w/ my new iPhone I now have a 2 year contract on a phone what will not connect to my corporate WiFi via 802.1x, nor will it work with secure Exchange email. Edge is nonexistent within my building. I can't even take out the SIM and put it back into my Treo.

The 'coolness' of the device is wearing off quickly. I need to get work done and not sit around hoping for a software update. 😟

Macbook Pro; iPhone 1.0 Mac OS X (10.4.10)

I totally agree with you. My organization at the University of Texas at Houston also uses 802.1X and Microsoft Exchange Server. I also need my work done. As mentioned somewhere in the forum before, someone at Apple must take this as a priority and pin this request on their bulletin board. Without this access, iPhone will fall out of favor among institutional users - even for the Apple enthusiasts who try hard to support the products.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.10)

802.1X [upper case X] is a network access mechanism or authentication protocol used with 802.11x [lower case x] wireless networking standards, such as…

• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

…and so on. It has been natively supportive in Mac OS X for Macintosh desktop and portable platforms since the release of OS X 10.3, but is not visible typically unless you launch the Internet Connect application to add and configure it.

A general discussion of 802.1X can be found in this Wikipedia article.

The oft confused 802.11x is nothing more than a generic representation of the group of wireless networking standards listed above.

This really is a very substantial issue for many academic and business users, as access to their networks is typically controlled by an upstream Radius server and without support for configuring an 802.1X interface, they cannot connect their networks as recognized, authorized users.

Absolutely. Without 802.1X authentication, many users are crippled in their educational and business institutions. They cannot access the wireless internet network and have to rely on the patchy AT&T EDGE network. They also cannot access their emails via the Microsoft Exchange Server. Thus, most iPhone users (the brave first adopters and pioneers who unreservedly support Apple and Steve Jobs), at this point, look a bit stupid in front of all the Blackberry users who have access to the wireless network and emails. An update in this area must be addressed and I hope Apple can correct this situation as soon as possible.

Uhhh, no. 802.1x does not refer to any precursor to WPA, and it was not intended to make WEP safer. WEP is dead. WPA is only moderately safer--it was designed to improve on WEP without requiring hardware replacement.

WPA2 is the way to go. When people are complaining about 802.1x and the iPhone (and, presumably, the new iPod Touch), it is because you have to be able to enter domain name, username, and password when using 802.1x with WPA2/Enterprise. There is no preshared key.

i know alot of people here@ my university that are just absolutely frustrated that there is not any way to get on the wireless...because EDGE reception stinks here and the wireless coats the entire campus

Message was edited by: marioooo

Most european universities are members of EduRoam, a common authentication infrastructure for WiFi networks, based on Radius and 802.1X. EduRoam is being used by thousands of students and teachers across Europe (and Australia, also). Many among them will buy an iPhone or an iPod touch soon, only to find that they cannot connect to the corporate WiFi networks at their respective universities.

I predict that Apple will face many angry European users soon.