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

How do I connect to the wireless network?

Be sure to use a BU SSID. There are four options for 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.
• Connecting to BU (Guest): This allows you to sponsor a guest to access the Internet through BU's network. Your guest will not have access to university-specific resources, but will have full access to the Internet. Follow these instructions to set up a guest account.
• Connecting to BU Wireless Help: If you connect to BU Wireless Help, you will see some basic information on connecting to the other SSIDs on campus, and have access to these pages for detailed instructions.

Where can I access BU's wireless network?

Boston University continues to extend its secure wireless network. The network can now be accessed in many public places around campus, as well as in lounges and other public areas in University residences. The BU wireless network is not available in student rooms within those residences.

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.

Who can connect to BU's wireless network?

Members of the BU community who have a Kerberos login and password, and have VPN or dial-up access, can connect to either BU (802.1x) or BU (requires VPN). Some account holders, including Distance Education students and alumni, may not have this access by default. 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.

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).

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/.) The Apple iPhone does work with both of these solutions, and instructions for connecting it can be found by following links in the How do I Connect section above.

Where can I get help?

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

If you are a Distance Education student, alumnus, please contact the IT Front Office to discuss an exception to the default setting. If you are a conference attendee in need of wireless access, please contact the Office of Conference Services.