COnnecting to BU wireless using 802.1x authentication
Most modern wireless devices support the 802.1x and WPA or WPA2 (recommended) protocols required to use the BU (802.1x) SSID. Please follow the steps below to set up 802.1x.
STEP 1 - Synchronize your account:
Using BU's 802.1x wireless connection requires that your Kerberos password is "synchronized" into Boston University's Active Directory. Any account created after April, 2008 should be all set, in which case you can skip to Step 2.
You can also skip to Step 2 if you are aware that you already use BU Active Directory resources (such as an Exchange Server) as is the case for many faculty and staff. It can't hurt to Kerberos synchronize more than once, however, so if you aren't sure of your status, feel free to do so. Particularly if you can't get 802.1x working, Kerberos synchronization should be your first troubleshooting step.
To Kerberos synchronize, you will need to do a one-time login at https://www.bu.edu/computing/accounts/ad/kpw and you'll then be all set. You can access that link from any browser; it does not have to be a browser on the notebook or device that you are configuring 802.1x on. However, if it is the device you are trying to set up, you should connect to either "BU Wireless Help" or "BU (requires VPN)", launch a browser, and access the link from there.
STEP 2 - Configure 802.1x:
Set up 802.1x using the applicable instructions below.
Windows XP (including Windows Mobile)
STEP 3 - Set 802.1x as the default SSID:
If you had previously used the University's old "123" SSID or BU (requires VPN), or if you had initially gone to "BU Wireless Help," your computer may try to connect to that network first. In order to be sure your computer connects by default to the BU (802.1x) SSID, make sure you followed the steps in the Troubleshooting section of our configuration documentation.