You’ll Select the SSID (it's just the name of a wireless network -- e.g. FacStaff or Student). Then open a web browser and navigate to any web page. Enter your filesharing username and password to get on the wireless network.
Details:
This past spring, Vassar installed a wireless data network across the campus. This network supports wireless connections using the 802.11b standard (also known as "Wi-Fi") as well as the 802.11g standard. These standards are supported by virtually all computer manufacturers (including Dell, Apple, Lenovo and Gateway).
I am pleased to say that Vassar now offers wireless Internet access from virtually everywhere on campus. This means that you can get on the Vassar network from the residence halls, academic buildings, administrative buildings and many outdoor locations.
Our goal was, and is, to provide wireless access where it is needed. To that end we have installed wireless access points in all campus buildings with coverage extending to many outdoor locations. However, much like cell phone coverage, it is likely that some areas of the campus (either inside or outside) have either poor or no coverage. Should you encounter such an area and have a need to use wireless at that location, please let the Help Desk know (see below). While we can not guarantee that we will be able to reach every area with the wireless signal, we will certainly do our best to provide access where it is needed.
No. The wireless network is being provided in addition to the wired network. That means that each residence hall room offers both wireless access and traditional wired access to the Internet. So, if you are bringing a desktop computer to campus you will still be able to plug it into the existing wired network connections in your room. Some locations, such as residence hall rooms, the Library, and some classrooms will offer both wired and wireless access.
All you need to access the wireless network is a computer with wireless capabilities. Most recent laptops, regardless of the vendor, come with wireless capabilities (some refer to this feature as "Wi-Fi" or "802.11b" or "802.11g"). If you are unsure of whether or not your particular laptop has wireless capabilities, please feel free to contact our Help Desk either in person (on the 1st floor of the Computer Center), by email (helpdesk@vassar.edu), or by phone (845-437-7224). If you need to buy a wireless card for your laptop, our Computer Store can help. They can be reached by email (computerstore@vassar.edu), by phone (845-437-7252), or you can visit them on the first floor of the College Center.
No. The wireless network is provided by Vassar and supported by the staff of Computing and Information Services (CIS).
No. Personal wireless access points can cause disruptions to the Vassar wireless network. The use of personal access points also compromises the security of our wireless network. For those reasons, personal access points will not be allowed to connect to the network. If our network monitoring system detects a personal access point, the access point will be disabled to prevent disruptions to the campus-wide wireless network. You would then need to remove the access point and contact CIS to reactivate your network port.
Requests to connect other types of wireless devices to the campus network will be handled on a case-by-case basis (the same is true for connecting non-computer devices to the wired network). Requests can be made through the Help Desk.
At this time, guest access is not yet available. Please return to this page in the future for updates.
No. You will still be able to access your applications and other Vassar’s services.
Wireless connections are inherently insecure; however, logging onto the wireless network with your username and password is a secure transaction.
Standard browsers provide secure communications for sensitive transactions via SSL or Secure Socket Layer. Using SSL provides reasonable security while providing ease of use to the Vassar community.
Remember, the access is only as secure as the website you are visiting.
As with existing PCs and Laptops we strongly recommend use of anti-virus software. This software is available on the Vassar CIS website.
This page was last updated on 11/8/06.