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

1. Who can use the wireless services at Boston College?
2. What is the difference between bcsecure and the BostonCollege wireless service?
3. I have a wireless network at home, will I still be able to use my wireless network at home?
4. 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?
5. What kind of wireless card do I need to be able to use the wireless services at BC?
6. What do I need for my laptop to use bcsecure, the secure wireless service?
7. Where should I go if I need assistance using the BC wireless services?
8. I am a visitor to Boston College. How can I access the Internet using wireless service at BC?

1. 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.


2. 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.


3. 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.


4. 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.


5. 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.


6. What do I need for my computer to use bcsecure, the secure wireless service?
   Secure Wireless Requirements for Windows:
   • BC username and password.
   • 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or combination wireless network card that is WPA2 compliant (typically manufactured after 2004).
   • Windows XP with SP2 and greater.
   • Microsoft Secure Wireless hot-fix for Windows XP and updated wireless card driver (available in the instructions link listed below)
   • Complete all steps in instructions for one of the following Connecting to the BC Secure Wireless Network: Windows XP or Connecting to the BC Secure Wireless Network: Windows Vista
   Secure Wireless Requirements for Macintosh:
   • BC username and password.
   • AirPort compatible wireless card
   • OSX 10.3.9 or greater (Panther or Tiger)
   • Operating system updates (available in the instructions link listed below)
   • Complete all steps in instructions for Connecting to the BC Secure Wireless Network: Mac OS X


7. 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.


8. 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.