Wireless technology allows you to connect your laptop computer to the NIH network via radio waves without plugging in to a network outlet. You can log on to the NIH wireless network in about 50% of locations on and off campus. Regardless of the brand of wireless equipment installed in your laptop, if it is compatible with the 802.11g or older 802.11b standard you can communicate with NIHnet and your local IC’s LAN.
There are two ways to connect to the NIH wireless network. One is a secure connection using Virtual Private Networking (VPN) technology, that is available to NIH staff. Using this connection you have access to all the NIH resources you would have if you were connected via the wired network in your office, and to the Internet. The other option is available to NIH visitors and patients using an NIH-supplied username and password. Using this connection, guests can access the Internet and those NIH resources that are available to the general public on the Internet.
NIH staff connection:
NIH visitors connection:
Why does the NIH use Virtual Private Networking?
VPN technology allows the NIH to provide a secure, encrypted wireless connection to the NIH network. VPN enables NIH networking services to meet several government requirements:
- Guarantee the security and privacy of health information (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
- Meet security requirements for encryption as defined in Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
- Protect wireless communications in accordance with recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
How can I go wireless at NIH?
Where can I connect to the NIH network via wireless?
For additional Information contact the NIH Help Desk:
