Information Technology Services

BC Visitor Wireless Network Access

windows xp

Before you begin:

  • Your computer must have a wireless network card.
  • You be must be on the BC campus in an area with wireless network service, such as most classrooms, dining halls, libraries, and outdoor common areas.

Step 1: Configure the wireless network connection

  1. Click Start, then right-click on My Network Places (in Classic view, right-click the My Network Places icon on the Desktop) and select Properties from the drop-down list (see Figure 1).
My Network Places
Figure 1.

The Network Connections window opens.

  1. Under the heading LAN or High-Speed Internet, you should see a Wireless Network icon (see Figure 2).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
  1. Right-click Wireless Network Connection and select View Available Wireless Networks from the drop-down list (see Figure 3).

    NOTE: If View Available Wireless Networks does not appear in the list, select Enable from the drop-down list. Then, right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon again and select View Available Wireless Networks.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.

The Wireless Network Connection window opens.

  1. Under the heading Choose a wireless network click BostonCollege.
  2. Click the Connect button.
  3. From the left column of the Wireless Network Connection window click the Change advanced settings link.
  4. Click the Advanced button.
  5. Select the Access point (infrastructure) networks only option, the click Close (see Figure 4).

Figure 4.
Figure 4.
  1. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, click OK.

Step 2: Activate your computer

  1. Open a web browser and go to: activate.bc.edu.
  2. Click Visitors (see Figure 5), then follow the on-screen instructions to complete activation.
Figure 5
Figure 5.

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)

Related Help Links

BC Visitor Network Access - information about temporary network access for BC visitors