T|X - Problems with browsers and wireless

I

Ink addicted

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Hi,

I own a Palm T|X. I'm very happy with it except for the fact that I can't use the wireless at my university with it. The way the wireless works there is thus:
- you get automatic IP and DNS servers
- when you load your browser, it forwards you to the login page for the university (https)
- once you login you can use any program that requires internet connectivity

As far as I understand, this is called SSL VPN. Alright. Now to the way my T|X behaves.
- it connects to the network just fine, getting all the automatic information
- I open up Blazer and it says it can't reach the webpage (nor does it seem to try to load the login page)

I have tried several methods of circumventing the problem:
- I tried connecting to the IP and port of the login page directly - Blazer can't seem to connect to that at all
- I tried using several browsers: Xiino, PocketLink, AvantGo, and EudoraWeb
- the only browser that seems to do what is expected is EudoraWeb - it takes me to the login page but alas the login fields say "Direct access to fields - text not allowed" - aka I can't login

I would be willing to even pay for a browser that can get me onto the network, but I'd rather know that it will work before I fork out money. Can anyone help, please?


Thank you very much

Andreea
 
I tried... the program is called EudoraWeb... and while it loaded the page (it did the forwarding), the login fields are not accessible "Direct access to fields - text not allowed".

So that didn't work.
 
Oh wait, I just reread your initial and missed the "VPN" part. Of course it's SSL, that what VPN is all about...duh!

Look at the User's Guide, Chapter 16, there is a section discussing VPN connectivity.

Also, if my memory serves me, there is some information on the CD that came with the TX (not absolutely certain since I'm a t work and can't verify it) that mentions additional software, some of which is VPN software.

I suspect this is your problem. At home I can only connect to the comapny network by setting up the tunnel first. This requires initiating the tunnel by starting a seperate background app first. Without it you will very likely not be able to connect at all.

The software is not free as I recall. You may also want to contact the IT department, it is likely someone has already blazed this trail and they may have the software you need.

Cheers,
John
 
For anyone that ever has this issue in the future:

I used iPanel (from Palm Source, shareware). It redirected my requests for any URL to the proper login page AND allowed me access to the login fields so I could login. After I did this, I could use any of my browsers to view any webpage on the internet.

SSL VPN does not require a VPN client. That is the whole reason for its existance and usage on university campuses. It requires a browser with SSL 2.0 support (and I suspect TLS 1.0 since Blazer is supposed to support SSL but fails to work) and proper handling of certain types of login fields (maybe javascript has something to do with that).

Hope that helps other people looking for this kind of information.
 
That's pretty interesting. This browser supports SSL/TLS but doesn't mention VPN, so I'm not sure what the hang up was in connecting to your network. Have you tried the "Miniature view" yet? is is very useful? I also says it supports a 160X160 dissplay. How does it look on a TX?

Cheers,
John
 
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