FAQ: Connecting to BCInternet

I.T. Services FAQ + I.T. Services + Bryan College Community

According to Bryan College Operations Policy, Information Technology Services personnel are prohibited while on duty from working on equipment not owned and maintained by Bryan College.

What is BCInternet?

BCInternet is provided by Information Technology Services of Bryan College for students, faculty, and staff to access the Internet through wired and wireless connections by using their personal computers. BCInternet provides filtered web access as well as most other commonly used Internet applications* (i.e. instant messaging, webmail, client-side file transfer, streaming radio, etc.). BCInternet is not an extension of BryanNet, but rather an additional service provided by Information Technology Services. While BryanNet Webmail can be accessed through BCInternet, access to one's home files and other BryanNet resources is not supported.

*Not all Internet applications are supported.

Where can I connect my computer to BCInternet?

BCInternet is available in the Bryan College Library (wired and wireless), Student Life Center (wireless on the 2nd and 3rds floors), and all on-campus dormitory facilities (wireless only). Wired connections are available only at specific tables and booths in the Library. See the librarian on duty for an available location. Your computer must have a compatible network interface card and you must provide your own network cable (Category 5 or better)--available for purchase at the Bryan College Bookstore.

You must have a wireless network interface card (PC Card, PCI card, or USB adapter) compatible with 2.4GHz 802.11b (11 Mbps) installed on your computer for wireless access. You may purchase a wireless network interface card at any electronics or office supply store. Neither the Bookstore nor Information Technology Services will be selling these cards Only portable computers (i.e. notebooks, laptops, PDA's, etc.) may be used in the Library facilities to access BCInternet but you may use your personal desktop or portable computer in your room.

How do I connect my computer to BCInternet?

BCInternet is designed to require minimal to zero configuration to access the Internet. Most computers that ship with a built-in network card (as most laptops do) can simply be plugged in and will work instantly. Likewise computers equipped with wireless network cards typically detect the wireless network and connect automatically. If you wish to connect to BCInternet, the first step would be to simply to connect the network cable to your laptop or (in the case of wireless), enable it / turn it on and you should be able to access the Internet. If this plug-and-play method does not work for your computer.

Wired

If you wish to connect to BCInternet through a wired connection (i.e. through a network cable), talk to the librarian on duty to help direct you to an available network jack. Plug one end of the network cable into an available network jack in the wall and plug the other end into the network jack on your computer. At this point if there are lights on the network jack on your computer they will turn on. One should be steady and one should blink. If this is so you have connected successfully.

If your computer does not have network lights that is fine. At this point open your web browser (i.e. double-click on Internet Explorer) and try to browse to a website like www.google.com. If you can browse the web then you have successfully connected to BCInternet and further configuration is necessary. If you cannot browse the web then you might have to change some of your network settings. You may call the I.T. HelpDesk at x333 for over-the-phone assistance but no Information Technology Services personnel are permitted to work on personal equipment in the course of their official duties during business hours (referrals available).

Wireless

If you wish to connect to BCInternet through a wireless connection, simply enable your wireless network interface card (or plug it into your card slot) and you should automatically connect. If you are prompted for an SSID or name for the wireless local area network, type the name BCInternet. You should also select Infrastructure Mode if given the option (as opposed to "Ad Hoc" mode). At this point if there are lights on the network card in your computer they will turn on. One should be steady and one should blink.

If this is so you have connected successfully. If your wireless network card does not have network lights that is fine. At this point open your web browser (i.e. double-click on Internet Explorer) and try to browse to a website like www.google.com. If you can browse the web then you have successfully connected to BCInternet and no further configuration is necessary. If your laptop is equipped with a switch to turn the wireless card on and off, please make sure that it is on when you attempt to use BCInternet. If you cannot browse the web then you might have to change some of your network settings.

How to Configure Your Network Settings

Before jumping into configure your network settings you must determine which version of Microsoft Windows your have installed on your computer. Typically computers bought within the last year or two will have Microsoft Windows XP. If you bought your computer two to three years ago you probably have Windows 2000 or Windows Millennium (Windows Me). If it is older than that you probably have Windows 98 or Windows 95. An easy way to determine which version of Windows you have installed is to click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen. Typically when the Start Menu expands the version of Windows is displayed in vertical text (i.e. Windows Me, Windows XP). If this does not display any helpful information, you can right-click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop and left-click on "Properties". The "General" tab will display your version of Windows. Now that you have determined the version of Windows you are using, now you can configure your network settings.

Windows XP Network Settings:

When you insert your wireless network card or boot up in the presence of BCInternet for the first time, you should see a pop-up bubble in the lower right-hand corner of your display:

Click in the bubble as directed and you should see the following:

You must check the box next to "Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network, even though it is not secure" and click "Connect" (XP does not enable wireless communication without WEP by default). It is important that you understand that unencyrpted wireless network traffic is susceptible to "eavesdropping." You should now be connected and able to use the Internet. Variations in signal strength and dropped connections may affect your ability to send and receive data over the network. We are working to make this new wireless network effective and stable for all students and conditions should improve. Note also that differences in wireless card manufacturer and installation (integrated vs. PC/PCI card vs. external antenna) may also contribute to variations in signal strength.

To verify or configure your network settings you will need to open the "Control Panel." Click "Start" then "Control Panel."

Next click on the "Network Connections" icon.

Now select (by left-clicking) the icon "Local Area Connection" or "Wireless Connection." Then you can configure the settings for that device by clicking on the "Change settings of this connection" as show below (alternatively, you may right-click on the connection icon and select Properties from the pop-up menu).

Next select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click the "Properties" button.

When the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" properties windows appears, select "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" as shown below:

Click "OK" and click "OK" for the previous window to close back out to the "Network Connections" window. Then you can close the "Network Connections" window.

At this point open your web browser (i.e. double-click on Internet Explorer) and try to browse to a website like www.google.com. If you can browse the web then you have successfully connected to BCInternet and no further configuration is necessary.

Windows 2000 Professional Network Settings:

To configure your network settings for Windows 2000 Professional begin by clicking "Start" then "Settings" then "Control Panel."

Next click on the "Network and Dial-up Connections" icon.

Now right-click on the "Local Area Connection" or appropriate connection and left-click on "Properties."

Next select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click the "Properties" button.

When the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" properties windows appears select "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" as shown below.

Then click "OK" and click "OK" for the previous window. Then you can close the "Network Connections" window. At this point open your web browser (i.e. double-click on Internet Explorer) and try to browse to a website like www.google.com. If you can browse the web then you have successfully connected to BCInternet and no further configuration is necessary.

Windows Millennium Network Settings:

To configure your network settings for Windows Millennium begin by clicking "Start" then "Settings" then "Control Panel."

Next double-click on the "Network" icon.

Now select the "TCP/IP -> your network card" where "your network card" is the name of the network card installed on your computer and click the "Properties" button.

Now the "TCP/IP Properties" window will be displayed. Under the "IP Address" tab select "Obtain an IP address automatically."

Then click "OK" and click "OK" for the previous window. Then you can close the "Control Panel" window. At this point open your web browser (i.e. double-click on Internet Explorer) and try to browse to a website like www.google.com. If you can browse the web then you have successfully connected to BCInternet and no further configuration is necessary.

Windows 95/98 Network Settings:

To configure your network settings for Windows 95 or Windows 98 begin by clicking "Start" then "Settings" then "Control Panel."

Next double-click on the "Network" icon.

Now select the "TCP/IP -> your network card" where "your network card" is the name of the network card installed on your computer and click the "Properties" button.

Now the "TCP/IP Properties" window will be displayed. Under the "IP Address" tab, select "Obtain an IP address automatically."

Troubleshooting:

If you are still having difficulty accessing BCInternet after going through the necessary procedures above, you may need to renew your network settings. To renew your settings on Windows XP or Windows 2000 simply press "Start" then "Run" and type "ipconfig /renew" (without the quotes) and click "OK."

To renew your settings on Windows Me, Windows 98, or Windows 95 simply press "Start" then "Run" and type "ipconfig /renew_all" (without the quotes) and click "OK."

At this point open your web browser (i.e. double-click on Internet Explorer) and try to browse to a website likewww.google.com. If you can browse the web then you have successfully connected to BCInternet and no further configuration is necessary.

If none of these solutions work:

Check with people near your location who use the wireless network to see whether they are having trouble or not
Try relocating your computer for a better signal
If there is a general or widespread inability to use the wireless network, contact the HelpDesk at x333
Contact the hardware vendor for your computer and/or your network card

Technical Note:

BCInternet utilizes Dynamic Host Control Protocol, or DHCP, to assign IP addresses to computers. If your operating system is not described in this manual you should configure your NIC to use DHCP. You'll know that you've gotten a valid IP address if it is 10.10.100.xxx.

DISCLAIMER: BCInternet is provided "as is" without any technical support or liability from the Bryan College Information Technology Services. Bryan College is not responsible for any damage that could happen to your computer hardware or software. Neither is Bryan College responsible for any inappropriate or illegal information transactions made through BCInternet. Please refer to the Acceptable Use Policy found in your student handbook for appropriate uses of Bryan College technology resources.

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FAQ: Connecting to BCInternet