Is a VPN and 802.1x the same thing?

[Stang68]

Hey everyone,

Is a VPN and 802.1x the same thing? I have been trying to connect to my colleges wifi for a while but they have an 802.1x encryption thingy. Will VPN allow me to connect now?

Thanks!

 

[kdarling]

Unfortunately, one of the many things the iPhone is missing, is a 802.1x supplicant.

Many schools use 802.1x for authentication to their networks, but iPhone owners are out of luck.

You're not alone. There are even online petitions to Apple over this.

 

[Stang68]

damn. Do you think the SDK could solve this? Maybe a smart developer?

 

[Toups]

VPN is a tunneling technology, where as 802.1x is utilized for network authentication.

Short answer, no, they are not the same.

 

[PoitNarf]

damn. Do you think the SDK could solve this? Maybe a smart developer?

I'll be shocked if we don't see a 3rd party solution before the end of March. Or at least that's what I'm hoping. Apple was very unwise to shut out users who need access to their university or corporate network.