COnfiguring your PC to use the BU wireless network
To connect your Windows PC to the Boston University wireless network, you need to complete two steps.
1. Enter configuration information for Boston University’s wireless network
- On your Windows XP computer, select Start then Control Panel
Note: If your Control Panel window is in Category View, as shown in the image below, please click ‘Switch to Classic View’ under the Control Panel frame on the left before you proceed.
- Double-click the ‘Network Connections’ icon in the Control Panel window.
- Right-click your wireless network connection and select ‘Properties’.
- Click on the ‘Wireless Networks’ tab in the Properties window of your wireless connection.
- Make sure the option ‘Use Windows to configure my Wireless network settings’ is checked.
- Under ‘Preferred Networks’, click the ‘Add’ button.
- Enter ‘123’ as the ‘Network name (SSID)’ and click ‘OK’.
- Make sure that there is NO CHECKMARK in the box titled 'Data encryption (WEP enabled)'.
- Click OK.
- Restart your computer and continue with the VPN installation instructions.
2. Install and configure Cisco VPN software to encrypt your wireless traffic
The Cisco VPN Client is available as a free download from the Personal Computing Support Center’s Web site at www.bu.edu/pcsc/vpn.
You cannot establish a connection on the University's wireless network without encryption, and only the Cisco VPN software will work. Microsoft's VPN software, included with Windows XP, cannot be used with our wireless network. The Cisco VPN uses your BU login name and Kerberos password for authentication.
Where to get help with the wireless network or VPN
Please direct questions regarding the VPN or the wireless network to the Personal Computing Support Center (PCSC).
