Wireless On Campus

Overview | Locations | Features | Security | How-To

Overview

Wireless hotspots are available on campus to any user with a Nichols College username & password.


Locations

Conant Library -- All Floors
Davis Hall -- Davis Cafe
Alumni Hall -- Main Floor
Dining Hall -- Main Floor


Features

These wireless hotspots provide web browsing services using HTTP and HTTPS only.

Security

The "Nichols-Public" wireless hotspots have no transmission security and it is highly recommended that use of private and/or sensitive information be protected using applications that secure transmissions. If you are unsure of your use of secure transmissions or you have questions please contact the IT department on best practices for encrypted versus unencrypted network application use.

How-To 

Note: All screenshots below are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed for wireless setup. Other operating systems such as Windows 98, Me, 2000, and 2003 will have similar features and procedures for wireless setups. Additionally, many laptops have special wireless connections software that manage your wireless networks and may look different, but operate on the same principles.

Prerequisites:

* a fully booted and logged in Windows XP system with service pack 2 installed
wireless hardware devices enabled and properly functioning

Connecting to the Nichols wireless network

* from the Windows desktop you should receive a balloon tip message similar to the one seen below

* Select the balloon tip with your mouse to bring up the "Wireless Network Connection" window



* With the "Nichols-Public" network selected and highlighted click on "Connect" as seen below



* You may receive a security warning similar to the one below. This is normal, but please review the SECURITY NOTICE mentioned earlier on this page to understand why you are receiving this message, then select "Connect Anyway"



* you should see a windows similar to the one below indicating that a connection is being made



* When the connection has been completed successfully you will see the following screen



* at this point you are connected wirelessly, but you still need to authenticate to browse the web
* open Internet Explorer or your internet browser of choice similar to icons seen below

 

* Type any internet address such as the Nichols College homepage: http://www.nichols.edu and select "Go" or press "Enter" on the keyboard



* You will be immediately brought to a Nichols Wireless Sign-On page



* Enter your Nichols College USERNAME and PASSWORD then select "Log In"
* Provided that you have entered valid information you will now be redirected to the website you originally attempted to visit