The Boston College Wireless Network
Overview
The BC wireless network allows faculty, staff, students, and visitors of Boston
College to access the Internet and network resources, such as email and the
Web, from many different locations on campus without having to plug in a network
cable. This provides increased flexibility and productivity for members of
the BC community.
Availability
The BC wireless network is available in many locations on campus, including
libraries, Residence Hall study lounges, classrooms, dining halls, and even
outdoor common areas. For more information, see the
Wireless
Campus Maps
or
the
list
of buildings and areas on campus
with
BC wireless network access.
(BC sign-in required)
Wireless Services

Secure Wireless (bcsecure) is
offered to members of the Boston College community who have a BC username
and password. Bcsecure, secure wireless, provides access to the BC high-speed
wireless network with encrypted transmission of data, offering a much
greater degree of privacy and security. BC faculty, staff, and students
are strongly encouraged to use this service.
Learn how to configure your laptop: Windows
Vista | Windows
XP | Mac
OS X
(BC sign-in required)
|
BostonCollege is
offered to members of the Boston College community who have a BC username
and password. BostonCollege provides easy access to the Boston College
high-speed wireless network. BostonCollege is not a secure wireless
network but is an alternative for older laptops that do not meet the requirements
for bcsecure.
Learn how to configure your laptop: Windows
Vista | Windows
XP | Mac
OS X
|
BostonCollege
(for guest access) is available to guests
of the university, including visiting faculty, conference/meeting
attendees, colleagues from other institutions, sports media, parents
and friends, who do not have a BC username and password. Guests may
select the BostonCollege wireless service and authenticate as a Guest.
Guest access provides limited, temporary Internet connections.
Learn how to configure your laptop: Windows
XP | Mac
OS X (BC sign-in required)
|
FAQ
- Who can use the wireless services at Boston College?
- What is the difference between bcsecure and the BostonCollege
wireless service?
- I have a wireless network at home, will I still be able to use my wireless
network at home?
- I have always used "RoamAbout" to connect
to the wireless network at BC. Why isn't it listed as one of BC's wireless
services?
- What kind of wireless card do I need to be able to use the
wireless services at BC?
- What do I need for my laptop to use bcsecure, the secure
wireless service?
- Where should I go if I need assistance using the BC wireless
services?
- I am a visitor to Boston College. How can I access the
Internet using wireless service at BC?
- Who can use the wireless services at Boston College?
Faculty, staff, students. and guests of Boston College may use the wireless
network at BC. Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to
use bcsecure, the secure wireless service, which provides greater privacy
and data security.
- What is the difference between bcsecure and
BostonCollege wireless service?
Bcsecure is a secure wireless network service that connects to the
Internet using WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). WPA2 encrypts your data before
it is transmitted over the wireless network. Bcsecure is available to BC
faculty, students, and staff with an active BC username and password.
BostonCollege is an open, unsecured, wireless network
service. It does not encrypt data. Therefore, information sent across
the wireless network using BostonCollege is “in the clear.” Others
might snoop or intercept data transmitted using the unsecured wireless
service. For more information see BLAH.
- I have a wireless network at home, will I still be able to use my wireless
network at home?
Yes. Configuring your laptop to use any of the BC wireless services
should not affect your home wireless network access.
- I have always used "RoamAbout" to
connect to the wireless network at BC. Why isn't it listed as one of BC's
wireless services?
RoamAbout is an older, unsecured, wireless service
that is being replaced by BostonCollege and bcsecure. You should configure
your laptop to use BostonCollege or bcsecure as RoamAbout service will
be removed from the BC wireless network during the late Spring of 2007.
- What kind of wireless card do I need to be able to
use the wireless services at BC?
You need an 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, or combination wireless network card.
- What do I need for my computer to use bcsecure,
the secure wireless service?
Secure Wireless Requirements for Windows:
Secure Wireless Requirements for Macintosh:
- Where should I go if I need assistance using the
BC wireless services?
Contact the BC Help Center at 617-552-HELP or via email at help.center@bc.edu.
- I am a visitor to Boston College. How can I access
the Internet using wireless service at BC?
Boston College provides guests of the University, including parents, visitors,
conference/meeting attendees, colleagues from other institutions, and sports
media, with limited, temporary, Internet connections. Learn more about Visitor
Network Access.
Need more help?
Web site feedback