Learning Commons:Content/Wireless/Info

Which Network Should I Use?

At UBC when you view the list of available wireless networks on your laptop or mobile Wi-Fi compatible device, you should see a similar list as found in the image below:

The networks you should be concerned about are: ubcsecure, ubc and eduroam.

UBCsecure vs. UBC

The normal "ubc" wireless is an open and less secure wireless connection. It requires no set-up and you simply log in each time you connect with your CWL when visiting a web page.

The "ubcsecure" wireless is an encrypted and secure connection wireless connection. You are not require to log in manually each time you connect after you have set it up the connection once. The Learning Commons and UBC IT recommend that you use the "ubcsecure" wireless network.

Eduroam

The "eduroam" network is a collaborative network that provides students, staff and faculty roaming wireless access at partner institutions. Currently, students, staff and faculty at BCNet affiliated institutions can log into "eduroam". This includes SFU, UVic, BCIT, UNBC and TRU.

Likewise, UBC students, staff and faculty can use the "eduroam" wireless network at those institutions using your Campus Wide Login account (with a slight change of adding @ubc.ca at the end of the username - for example, cwluser@ubc.ca ).

Setting Up UBCsecure

UBC IT created the handy Autoconnect Utility to quickly and automatically set up a wireless connection to ubcsecure. Visit the Wireless page and click on the banner at the top. This works with PC, Mac and the iPhone/iPod/iPad.

If the AutoConnect Utility does not work, you can try setting it up manually:

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista/7
• Mac OS X 10.4
• Mac OS X 10.5/10.6

Alternatively, you can visit the Chapman Learning Commons Help Desk or the IT Service Centre Help Desk and ask for someone to personally help you set up the wireless connection.

Troubleshooting

If you ever encounter an error message while connecting to a UBC wireless network either through your Operating System or UBC IT Autoconnect Utility, the best way to solve this is to clear the wireless setting for the UBC network.

Windows Vista/7

1. Open 'Network and Sharing Center' (Start Menu → Control Panel → Network and Internet or right-click the Network icon in the taskbar). 2. Click 'Manage wireless networks' on the left-hand side 3. Select ubcsecure and click 'Remove.' 4. Restart your computer and try to reconnect.

Mac OS X

1. Click the 'Airport' icon on the menu bar and then click 'Open Network Preferences...' 2. Click on 'Advanced...' 3. Select ubcsecure and click 'Remove' (the '-' icon). 4. Restart your computer and try to reconnect.