The Algonquin wireless network spans most of the campuses and allows laptop users to connect with no physical connection. It allows you to print, browse and access college systems.

Benefits of Wireless:

By having a wireless service on campus, students/staff can access:

– The Internet at any time and place which is convenient to them.
– Access their course materials anywhere on campus
– Access their email, network drive and some applications
– Print to their chosen lab printer from their laptop

•Important Note: You should ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus software, a personal firewall and also applied the latest Windows Updates to your mobile computer before using the Algonquin College's Wireless Network.  Not doing the updates regularly may leave your computer open to risks or even prevent a wireless connection from working at all. Do all updates!

•Support is available (ITS or New Technology Store). 

 

You need:

Minimum requirements include:

Operating Systems

-MS Windows

- Windows XP with Service Pack3
- Windows Vista with Service Pack 1
- Windows 7 (Official October Release)

–Mac OS X 10.4.9 or above

–Linux version 8.0 and up

Hardware

- Wireless card that supports 802.11 a or b/g standards

- Wireless Card that supports WEP and WPA/WPA2

- Most modern laptops have a built-in card. You can visit the college computer store beside the bookstore to purchase one if needed. - Link

Account

- An active Algonquin network account
    (Students see ACSIS - - - -Staff see your manager )

Connection Profile

• An Algonquin wireless connection profile see Connections below
• Optional - installed printers for wireless printing

Profile Background Information:

•WEP – Earliest and least secure method of securing a wireless network
•WPA (PSK) Very secure, but not infallible
•WPA (AES) The latest and most secure protection

•Algonquin College offers only WEP and WPA encryption. WEP is slowly being phased out (gone within 2 years).
•Note: Algonquin College strongly recommends that you to purchase a new wireless card that supports WPA/WPA2 for your own security if your wireless card can only support WEP. WEP is not the recommended connection method.

Wireless Connections

The Perth and Pembroke campuses only have WPA/WPA2.  WEP is not available at either campus.

Things to know

• Off Campus - You can't connect off campus so don't go home and expect it to connect wirelessly to the Algonquin wireless network.
• Residence Issues - Only the open common residence areas are wireless. In the residence rooms you will probably have to use an ethernet cable.
• Serviceable Areas - All campuses have full wireless coverage but you may still find an area which has poor signal due to the building, water, power or wall beams. Even people's bodies can obstruct the signal. If you find yourself in this situation you can simply move 10-15 feet to find a better signal. Wireless is not a guaranteed service so use an ethernet cable if you are having signal problems.
• 3rd Party Wireless - Your laptop may have come with a third party wireless manager which conflicts with the Windows wireless manager. See your laptop documentation for how to turn off the third party program.
• Home Wireless Tips
  • Algonquin College does NOT support home user’s wireless network. This information is offered as a courtesy
  • The only reason anyone should still be using WEP is if any mobile computing/equipment/router does not support WPA/WPA2. If you find that your hardware does not support WPA/WPA2 check for firmware updates or replace it. For laptops or mobile computers, you can purchase a newer wireless client that is Wi-Fi Certified.
  • Of course if you wish to use WEP on your own home network, you are more than welcome. After all WEP will still be secure against most people wishing to connect than having no security at all, but on the flip side of this, it may not only be your network that is exposed. If someone can access your wireless network apart from using your internet connection they may also be able to access your router, change passwords and literally take control of it, or see which devices are connected, and then even try to get onto them, the repercussions of this are limited only to how malicious the person is, so if you have the option to use WPA use it, there is no reason to stick with WEP.