Center for Information Technology
Impulse - Network Authenticated Login
Impulse is a Network Access Control system designed for authenticating login access to the Oberlin College Network. Oberlin College requires a login to the network in order to gain access to the Internet, e-mail, and other online resources.
This information is also available as a PDF:
TROY Impulse Presentation (PDF, 424 KB)
Additional information is provided as an FAQ:
Impulse SafeConnect FAQ
The following is a complete privacy statement from Safe Connect:
Impulse Safe Connect Privacy Statement (PDF, 28 KB)
Impulse is a Network Access Control system designed for Authenticating login access to the Oberlin College Network.
- How Impulse will affect my daily work habits
- Why you need another login process
- What you need to make it work
- How often you will need to login
- What will the login page look like?
- What if I do not know my ObieID or Password?
- What else can we expect to see?
- What comes after the login page?
- How do I logout (deauthenticate)?
- Important Contact Information
How Impulse will affect my daily work habits
The only change to your daily work habit you will see is at the point you will need to re-authenticate. This will require you to open your Internet Browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari), which will in turn bring up the “Login” page, and use your email account and password to get authenticated to the Oberlin College Network.
Why you need another login process
Oberlin College, in accordance with compliance regulations, will require a login to the network in order to gain access to the Internet, e-mail, and other online resources.
What you need to make it work
Once implemented, you will need to open your Internet Browser and Authenticate. If you are using a Windows XP or Vista computer and/or a Macintosh, you will be prompted to install an application that checks for various things such as Windows Update, Macintosh Updates, and Anti-Virus. There will be certain parameters that must be met in order for access to be granted.
How often you will need to login
A forced Re-Authentication will occur every 28 days. For example, if you login on Tuesday morning December 2, then you will be asked to re-authenticate on Tuesday December 30. This may interrupt all network traffic on your computer until you have re-authenticated.
What will the login page look like?
This page is the Impulse Login page. Here you will need your ObieID (Email username) and Password. Please make sure to click the link to “Read our Full Policy”.
What if I do not know my UserID or Password?
Visit the Find User ID Name page for instructions detailing how to lookup your UserID.
If you do not know your password you will need to complete and submit the Request to Reset Email Password form.
What else can we expect to see?
This is the screen you are presented with once you have entered your email username and password and clicked on Submit. If you are running Microsoft Windows XP or Vista, or a Macintosh, you MUST click on the link to “Install the Policy Key and accept the terms and conditions for Internet Use”. Otherwise you will not be granted access to the network.
What comes after the login page?
What you need to do is click on the “Yes, I will install the Policy Key and accept the terms and conditions for Internet Use”.
By clicking on the link, it will start the following process.
This is what you see, once you start the download process for the Policy Key software.
Installation process for Impulse Policy Key
Installation has finished!
Click Finish!
This is the last screen before navigating away from the Impulse Network Access Control – Authenticated Login Process.
How do I logout (deauthenticate)?
To logout of the network you will need to visit the following link:
http://auth.impulse.com:8008/html/logout.htm
While viewing a page within the Oberlin College Intranet you may click the "Logout" button in the upper-right corner of a page.
We have created bookmarks, which you may download and save to your desktop. These bookmarks can be used to logout of the network. You will need to authenticate to download these files. Please select the file appropriate for your operating system:
Click here to download for Microsoft Windows
Important Contact Information
In the event a user needs technical support, please contact your local HelpDesk.
On the Troy, Alabama campus, contact Ext 4357 (HELP) or ext 5660.
Please include your name, valid phone number where you can be reached and a description of the problem.