Technology

Wireless Info

Where Can I Use Wireless?

The wireless network is currently available throughout all main campus buildings.  At the School of Management, the wireless network is available in the computer lab, Oval Dining Room, study rooms, 5th floor case room, and Mockler (case rooms 1 and 2).  On the Residence Campus, there is wireless available in Alumnae Hall, Bartol Hall, the Quadside Cafe, and the Simmons Hall Lounge.  As you move from room to room, your computer will seamlessly reconnect to the nearest wireless access point to receive the best signal possible.

Additionally, you may receive an acceptable signal in areas adjacent to wireless access zones.

Wireless Access Requirements

You will need the following to connect to and use the Simmons Wireless Network:

  • A portable computer with 802.11b compatible network hardware
  • Networking software correctly installed on your computer
  • Your Simmons College email username and password

How to connect to the Simmons Wireless network

Often these steps are all you need to connect to the network. If not, check If you cannot automatically connect ...

  1. Open a web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari) and try to go to any web page (e.g. http://www.simmons.edu/).
  2. Your web browser will be redirected to the Simmons College Wireless Network login page.
  3. Login with your Simmons College email username and password.
  4. You are now authorized to use the wireless network for 4 hours. If you want to remain connected to the network while moving your laptop (e.g. from one end of Java City to the other), leave open the small pop up window that appears after you log in. You may need to leave this window open for the duration of your session if you are using Windows XP.

If you cannot automatically connect . . .

If you tried the instructions above and were unable to connect, then you need to configure your wireless hardware to use the Simmons Wireless Network. (You may need to be logged into the computer as an administrator in order to do the following):

  • Configure your TCP/IP software to use your wireless 802.11b ethernet hardware
  • Configure your software to acquire an IP address automatically using DHCP
  • Configure your software to make connections to "Any" wireless network, or specify the "Simmons College" wireless network

Using Mac OS X:

  1. Go to the Network panel in the System Preferences and choose AirPort. (Note: If it says "AirPort is currently off" click Connect and in the InternetConnect: AirPort dialog box, click Turn AirPort On. For simplicity's sake, you may want to quit InternetConnect to close the AirPort dialog box.)
  2. Click Configure. Four tabs appear: AirPort, TCP/IP, AppleTalk, and Proxies.

    Figure 1

  3. On the AirPort tab, next to "By default, join:" choose "Automatic" from the drop-down list.
  4. Click the TCP/IP tab, and make sure "Using DHCP" is selected next to "Configure IPv4"
  5. Close the Network System Preference. Click Apply.

Using Windows XP:

  1. Right-click on the "My Network Places" icon, which can be found either on your desktop or on your Start Menu. (Note: If you do not find it in either location, open "My Computer" and look for the "My Network Places" icon on the left-hand side of the window, under "Other Places.")
  2. Select "Properties." This will bring up a "Network Connections" window.
  3. Under "LAN or High-Speed Internet, look for "Wireless Network Connection." If it is disabled, right-click on it and select "Enable." (See Fig. 2)
  4. Right-click on the "Wireless Network Connection" icon again and select "View Available Wireless Connections."
  5. Ensure that "Simmons College" (A) is highlighted under "Available wireless networks," check the box for "Allow me to connect" (B), and then select "Connect" (C). (See Fig. 3)

Figure 2

Figure 3

Note: Do not configure your wireless hardware to use WEP encryption on the Simmons Wireless Network.

If you need help configuring your TCP/IP software, please call the Help Desk (617-521-2222).

Accessibility

For security reasons, your use of the Internet via the Simmons Wireless Network is limited. All of the signals that pass to and from your computer through the air are, technically speaking, "visible" to other computers on the wireless network. Someone with ill-intent could "sniff" your passwords and other information. To help protect your data, Simmons limits our wireless network to using a web browser and a few other "protocols."

What you can do on the wireless network:

  • use a web browser, including:
    • accessing your email through Simmons WebMail (technical information: ports 80, 8080, 443, ssh 22, POP3S 995, and imap-ssl 993), and
    • accessing your storage space on the file server through remote.simmons.edu

What you cannot do on the wireless network:

Technology advises people who wish to send and receive e-mail on the wireless network to use Simmons College WebMail, which allows sending and receiving email, and is encrypted against "sniffing" via a secure technique called SSL.

Other Wireless Resources

For help configuring your wireless device to access the Simmons Wireless Network, call the Help Desk at x2222.