Wireless and Residence Hall Access at
Boise State University
Wireless Network Access Has Changed!
Beginning Tuesday, October 7 you will have a choice of two wireless network access points to use for access to the University's wireless network:
- GUEST_BSU (for Guest Access, does not require Clean Access)
- LOGIN_BSU (for Authenticated Access, requires Clean Access)
The current BSU wireless network access point will be going away.
No changes will be made to the Residence Hall network; students will continue to use Clean Access authentication to access the Residence Hall network.
Guest Access - GUEST_BSU
Guest Access is available on the University wireless network and allows anyone access to the Internet and campus web applications such as:
- BroncoWeb
- BroncoMail powered by Google
- Blackboard
- Access to external non-BSU services via DNS, FTP and VPN
Guest Access does not require using Clean Access, or authenticating to the wireless network with your BroncoWeb credentials.
Connecting to Guest Access
To connect your computer to Guest Access, turn on your computer’s wireless network function and connect your computer to a GUEST_BSU wireless access point:
- Windows Vista: Right-click on the wireless network icon in the System Tray at lower right of your computer desktop, then left-click on “Connect to a network.” Choose the GUEST_BSU network, and click the Connect button.
- Windows XP: Right-click on the wireless network icon in the System Tray at lower right of your computer desktop, then left-click on “View Available Wireless Networks.” Choose the GUEST_BSU network, and click the Connect button.
- Mac: Click the AirPort icon at top-right on the screen and choose GUEST_BSU from the list of available wireless networks.
Launch a web browser. You should be redirected to a wireless network page. As a final step, click the Guest Access button at left.
Authenticated Access - LOGIN_BSU
Authenticated Access is available on the University wireless network and is required on the residence hall network. Authenticated Access allows access to all of the services available with Guest Access, as well as the following additional services:
- GroupWise email and calendaring
- GroupWise POP and IMAP
- Campus VPN
- SSH
- SFTP
- Microsoft network login
- Novell network login
- Access to external non-BSU services via SSH and Remote Desktop
Authenticated Access requires the use of a security and privacy authentication process called Clean Access.
Connecting to Guest Access
To connect your computer to Authenticated Access, turn on your computer’s wireless network function and connect your computer to a LOGIN_BSU wireless access point:
- Windows Vista: Right-click on the wireless network icon in the System Tray at lower right of your computer desktop, then left-click on “Connect to a network.” Choose the LOGIN_BSU network, and click the Connect button.
- Windows XP: Right-click on the wireless network icon in the System Tray at lower right of your computer desktop, then left-click on “View Available Wireless Networks.” Choose the LOGIN_BSU network, and click the Connect button.
- Mac: Click the AirPort icon at top-right on the screen and choose LOGIN_BSU from the list of available wireless networks.
If you are using a Windows operating system, you are required to install Clean Access Agent software on your computer.
Macintosh and Linux systems will not be required to install the Clean Access Agent software at this time.
About Clean Access
Clean Access will check your computer to determine your device has appropriate levels of security enabled and installed, including:
- Current operating system patches
- Updated active anti-virus software
- Ability (for Windows devices) to automatically download and install Microsoft Windows Updates
Clean Access does NOT:
- Scan your computer for viruses
- Access any personal files on your computer
- Access or track websites you visit or people you e-mail
Clean Access only identifies vulnerabilities existing on computers and recommends and instructs computer owners how to fix those vulnerabilities in order to be granted access to the University wireless and residence hall networks.
If you are using Microsoft Windows, install Clean Access software by opening up a web browser when connected to the University wireless or resident hall networks and enter your BroncoWeb username and password. You will then be prompted to install the software.
Once you have installed the software, future authentication should be performed using the Clean Access login pop-up window.
Using Clean Access
- For detailed instructions on installing the Clean Access software for the first time, see our page on Connecting with Clean Access.
- For answers to common questions and concerns, see our page on Clean Access Frequently Asked Questions
- For help with any problems with Clean Access, see our Clean Access Troubleshooting page
Of course, the OIT Help Desk is available for any questions you may have about wireless and residence hall networking. We're open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, and you can reach us at 426-4357, or via e-mail at helpdesk@boisestate.edu
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