Note: If you plan to use wireless networking on the BU Medical Campus, please read the instructions and information on the BUMC Networking page instead.

What is a wireless network?

A wireless network allows you to connect your computer to a network without an Ethernet cable. As long as you are within range of a wireless access point, you can move your computer from place to place while maintaining untethered access to networked resources.

Is it secure?

All wireless transmissions are vulnerable unless they are encrypted. The Boston University wireless network is secured for all members of the BU community through strong encryption. If you would like to know more about our security methods, please read our wireless security page. Please note that no encryption is used when connecting with the BU Guest (unencrypted) or BU Wireless Help Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs).

How do I connect to the wireless network?

1. Make sure that your computer has built-in wireless capabilities or a wireless card. Older computers that do not already have wireless networking capabilities require a wireless network adapter that plugs into your computer's PCMCIA or ExpressCard slot or a USB port.

2. Use a BU SSID. You have two options for securely connecting to BU's wireless network:

• Connecting to BU (802.1x): Most recently-purchased computers should be able to connect to the 802.1x network.
• Connecting to BU (requires VPN): Older machines, or those that have trouble with 802.1x, can use the VPN-encrypted network. For detailed instructions, please click on the appropriate link below.

Who can connect to BU's wireless network?

Members of the BU community who have a Kerberos login and password can connect to either BU (802.1x) or BU (requires VPN). Members may also sponsor a guest to connect to the network using the BU Guest (unencrypted) SSID by following these instructions. Please be aware that traffic on this SSID is not encrypted in any way.

Where can I access BU's wireless network?

Boston University continues to extend its secure wireless network. This list is updated frequently so please continue to watch for new locations.

For a list of wireless network locations by address, please click here.

Please note that you can search for directions to any of these locations by name or address using the new BU Maps tool.

Access to the wireless network can now be found in the following locations:

 

	LOCATION NAME	DETAILS
General Locations	Agganis Arena
	Athletic Enhancement Ctr
	ATSSA, CARD & Intensive Treatment Program
	BU Beach
	Case Center
	The Castle
	Fuller Building
	George Sherman Union: Public areas of floors 1, 2, 3, and 5 including the Food Court and the Faculty & Staff Dining Room
	Hillel House
	Huntington Theater
	Information Technology Public PC Lab
	Kenmore Classroom Bldg.
	Language Center Classrooms
Libraries & Research Centers	Mugar Memorial Library
	Science and Engineering Library
	Pappas Law Library
	Photonics Research Center	(floors 1-5)
Schools & Colleges	College of Arts & Sciences	no details available
	College of Engineering	no details available
	College of Fine Arts	(CFA) has wireless access in the first floor lobby and floors 2 through 4 at 855 Commonwealth Avenue. In addition you will find access on level 2M at 808 Commonwealth Avenue and at the BU Theatre on Huntington Avenue.
	College of General Studies	no details available
	Sargent College	all floors
	School of Education	no details available
	School of Hospitality Administration	no details available
	School of Law
	CELOP (EOP)	Lobby area only
	School of Management	(floors 1-4)
Areas in Residences	163 Bay State Road	All rooms
	176 Bay State Road (Classics House)	All rooms
	575 Comm. Ave	1st floor & 8th floor study spaces
	580 Comm. Ave	All rooms
	625 Comm. Ave	All rooms
	Claflin Hall	Lobby
	Danielsen Hall Lounge	1st Floor & Basement Lounges
	Myles Standish	Point Lounge & Bradford Lounge
	Rich Hall	The Cinema Room & Front Lounge
	Shelton Hall	The East or Entire roof
	Sleeper	2nd Floor Study Lounge
	Student Village (10 Buick)	Reading Room, Student Atrium, Laundry Area, Bsmt. Study Rooms, Front entrance area, Convenience Dining area,
	Towers	East Tower & Franklin Lounges
	Warren Towers	B-Tower Lounge & Melville Lounge (Cafeteria, C-Tower Lounge report access too)

 

Are personal wireless access points (WAPs) allowed in the residence halls?

No. Because they can assign network addresses that conflict and interfere with existing BU addresses, wireless access points that are not installed and managed by the Office of Information Technology are prohibited in the residence halls. For a list of frequently asked questions about ResNet and network registration procedures, please visit the NetReg FAQ page. For those living off campus (not in a residence hall), we offer instructions for securely configuring a home wireless access point.

Can I use wireless devices (like a WLAN phone or wireless storage device) on the BU wireless network?

It depends on the device. Unless you can locate a client for the device that supports WPA with 802.1x authentication or claims to work with a Cisco VPN solution, there is no way to use it on the BU wireless network. (If it can be used with an Ethernet cable, then it will work. However, you will first need to register it at www.bu.edu/pcsc/ethernet/devicereg/.)

Where can I get help?

Please direct questions regarding the wireless network or the VPN to the Personal Computing Support Center (PCSC).