Important: "BostonCollege" is not a secure wireless network, but is an alternative for older laptops that do not meet the requirements for "bcsecure."

Requirements

• Your computer must have an AirPort compatible wireless card.
• To activate your laptop's wireless access you must be in an area of the BC campus with wireless service.

Part 1

To make sure your laptop meets all requirements:

1. Install software updates. Even newly purchased Apple laptops require a system software update for wireless.
   1. On the 'About this Mac' window, click Software Update (see Figure 1).
      Figure 1.
   2. On the 'Software Update' window, make sure all Security Updates are selected and click Install (see Figure 2).  You may be prompted to enter the password you use to sign on to your Mac.
      Figure 2.
      
   3. If your computer needs to be restarted, do so, then return to this page and repeat Steps 1a - 1c until no new security updates are available.
   4. After installing all available security updates, continue with the steps below.
2. If you have an Ethernet cable plugged into your computer, unplug it.
3. Make sure you are currently in an area of the BC campus with wireless network service.

To connect to the BostonCollege wireless service using:

• Lion 10.7 or Snow Leopard 10.6 or Leopard 10.5
• Tiger 10.4 or Panther 10.3

Connecting to the BostonCollege wireless service using Lion 10.7 or Snow Leopard 10.6 or Leopard 10.5

To connect to BostonCollege wireless service using Lion 10.7 or Snow Leopard 10.6 or Leopard 10.5:

1. Locate the AirPort status icon, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen: or
2. Click the AirPort status icon, and select Open Network Preferences.
3. Do the following:
   • In the left panel, click AirPort or Wi-Fi for Lion users.
   • If the AirPort Power is Off, click Turn AirPort On (see Figure 3) or Turn Wi-Fi On for Lion users.
     
     Figure 3.
     
     
4. From the Network drop-down list, select BostonCollege (see Figure 4).
   
   Figure 4.
   
5. Close the Network window and when prompted, click Apply.
   

Connecting to the BostonCollege wireless service using Tiger 10.4 or Panther 10.3

To connect to BostonCollege wireless service using Tiger 10.4 or Panther 10.3:

1. Locate the AirPort status icon, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen: or
2. Click the AirPort status icon, and select Open Internet Connect.
3. Do the following:
   1. In the toolbar at the top of the 'Internet Connect' window, click the AirPort icon.
   2. If the AirPort Power is Off, click Turn AirPort On (see Figure 5).

      
      Figure 5.

   3. From the Network drop-down list, select BostonCollege (see Figure 6).

      
      Figure 6.

   4. Quit the Internet Connect utility.

Part 3

You MUST activate your computer for wireless network access (even if you have already activated your computer for wired network access).

To activate your computer for wireless network access at BC:

1. Open your web browser and go to: https://activate.bc.edu.
   
2. For BC faculty, students, staff and affiliates (visitors skip to step 4):
   Click the button for BC faculty, students, staff, and affiliates and follow the instructions. Note the following:
   
   • If you get a message prompting you to change the name of your computer, another computer on the network already has the name you chose. There cannot be more than one computer on the network with the same computer name. Follow the instructions provided on the Activation web page to change your computer name.
3. Restart your computer after activating. There may be a short time delay after you activate before you can access your BC email and the web.
4. For Visitors:
   Click Visitors and follow the on-screen instructions to complete activation.
   All visitor access ends at 6:00 AM daily. To regain access to the Internet, you must repeat the activation process by going to activate.bc.edu using a web browser. Visitor Network Access provides access to the following services:
   • Web browsing (including secure sites)
   • Web email
   • FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
   • VPN (Virtual Private Network)
   • SSH (Secure Shell)
   • NTP (Network Time Protocol)