Wireless and Networked Computing at BU

Overview of Campus Network and Policies

Faculty, staff, students, and other authorized users who are connecting to the Binghamton University network are expected to abide by the Binghamton University Computer and Network Usage Policy.

Computing Domains

Computing Domains

There are several main computing domains under the BU2K root domain.

Pods: Everyone in the University community (faculty, staff and students) all have access to the Pods domain. Pods domain access includes:

BGM: Admiinstrative offices, academic schools and programs (except Decker School of Nursing and Watson School), and Research Foundation.


Decker: Decker School of Nursing faculty, staff and students.


WTSN (Watson School): Watson School faculty, staff and students.

FND (University Foundation): University Foundation staff and employees.

BUPF (Physical Facilities): Physical facilities staff and employees.

 

Wireless Networking on Campus

Wireless Networking on Campus

Thanks to a growing network of wireless access points on campus, you no longer need to be tied to your desk to access the Internet. To get started you will need an 802.11g compliant wireless networking adapter (either built into your mobile device, or as an add-on card).

 

Connecting to the Network with Bluesocket

Connecting to the Network with Bluesocket

Binghamton University has an ever-expanding wireless network available to the campus community. Faculty, staff, students not on the residential network, and guests use Bluesocket to connect to Binghamton's wireless network.

If you have a wireless card installed in your machine, it will, by default, be enabled. Thus, when you enter a wireless network area, the signal will automatically be detected by your wireless card.

To establish a wireless connection:

  1. Launch a web browser. Your browser will automatically be redirected to BU's Bluesocket login web page.
  2. The authentication server will show a list of domains. Choose a domain from the pull-down menu.
    - Anyone with a BU ID has at least a Pod domain account.
    - Only users with BU domain accounts may authenticate on the Bluesocket network.
  3. Enter your domain userID and password.
  4. Click the Log in button. Your browser will be redirected to Binghamton University's wireless page (wireless.binghamton.edu).
  5. Once you are authenticated on BU's wireless network, you can browse wherever you want to.
  6. To disconnect, you can either shut down your machine to break the wireless connection or use the pop-up log off enabled option.

NOTE:To enable the Log Off pop-up option:

  1. From the Browserpull-down menu, go to Tools -> Pop-up Blocker -> Pop Up Blocker Settings.
  2. Choose Allow https://bluesocket.binghamton.edu

 

Validating Machines from Public Network Ports

Validating Machines from Public Network Ports

Client Validation System
For security, Binghamton Uinversity requires that users pass their computers through a validation process before they can access publicly accessible network ports. This process includes a check for valid antivirus, critical updates and authentication using a Pods userID. Public ports that require validation include those in lecture halls, classrooms, library study carrels, and ports available in common areas. This does not include network ports in offices. Users can pre-register at the following website: http://campus.verify.binghamton.edu/.

Residential Housing Network

Residential Housing Network
At Binghamton University, High speed Internet connections are available in every Residence Hall room on campus.

Your computer must have an Ethernet card installed and configured in order to utilize an Ethernet connection. You will also need an Ethernet cable. No modem is needed. Computing Services does not sell or install Ethernet cards or cables.

Registering Devices on the Residential Network

Registering Devices on the Residential Network

The Binghamton Network Manager is a system that facilitates the connection of computers in residence hall rooms to the campus network. Registration through Binghamton Network Manager reduces the vulnerability of computers in the residence hall network thus helping to maintain top network speed and performance.

Students who want to connect their computers to the residential network (Resnet) need to go through an online registration process. This registration process verifies that machines have up-to-date anti-virus software and that Windows machines are properly patched with all critical updates.

By ensuring that machines are “safe” before they are allowed on the networks Binghamton University can mitigate inconsistent network performance and outages that are often tied to machines that are not properly updated with operating system patches or machines that don’t have current anti-virus software installed.

With the use of a registration system to help guard against network vulnerabilities, students see a faster, more consistent Resnet. It also means that the campus computing environment is, on the whole, safer and more secure. In the long run, this leads to safer, faster, and more consistent network performance across campus.

A registered computer in the Binghamton network:

A registered Windows computer in the Binghamton network: Is set to run Windows Update automatically.

To connect to the Binghamton Residential Network:

  1. Make sure your Windows Update and anti-virus software are current.
  2. Know your Pod userID and password.
  3. Open a browser window with Internet Explorer 5 or higher. (If your browser doesn’t open to the Binghamton Network Manager registration site, enter any URL outside the BU domain and your browser will be directed to the registration page automatically.)
  4. Follow the instructions on the registration pages.
    1. Read the University's Acceptable Use Policy, enter your userID and password and click the Sign In/Agree button.
    2. On the Updates and Antivirus page, complete any updates and click Continue.
    3. The Client Assessment Tool will scan your machine to verify that you have all critical updates and antivirus protection. If you do not, the assessment tool will display a list of what needs to be fixed before the registration process can be completed. Install the needed updates and begin the process again from step 1.
    4. When you reach the University's piracy reminder page your registration will be complete.
  5. Shut down your computer and restart it 15 minutes after successful registration.

How does network registration work? Network registration associates your computer and your Pod userID with the specific “port” to which your computer is connected. Until your computer is registered, you will only be able to access sites within the Binghamton University domain, with the exception of antivirus and Windows Update links provided within the registration process. Once you have completed the registration process, you will be able to access all network resources.

If you are using a Windows machine with all current critical updates installed and any other machine with up-to-date antivirus software, the network registration is a quick 5-minute process. If your machine does not have current antivirus software and Windows critical updates, the process will take longer.

Below are instructions for preparing your machine for the registration process as well as the steps to register your machine.

  1. Connect your computer to the data port in your residence hall room.
  2. Open a browser window after you plug your machine into the data port.
    - Windows users need to use Internet Explorer version 5 or higher; Macintosh and Linux users can use their browser of choice.
    - Windows 95, 98 and Linux users may need to reboot right after they plug their machine into the data port in order to receive an IP address on the registration network.
    - Disable pop-up blocker before starting the registration process.
    - If you are using Windows 95 or would like to use your Xbox, Playstation or other network device on the network (like a printer), you need to first contact the Computing Services Help Desk at 777-6420.
    - If you are using a hub, each machine should be registered individually before plugging them into the hub.
  3. Unless you have your browser’s home page set to a Binghamton University domain, the window will automatically open to the Binghamton University Resnet Registration Welcome page. If your browser opens to a Binghamton University domain web page, just attempt to access any web site outside BU’s domain, such as www.google.com, to be directed to the registration site.
  4. At this point, BEFORE proceeding through the registration process, Windows users need to check to make sure they have all critical updates installed; all users should make sure they have current antivirus software. The initial Welcome registration screen has the appropriate links to obtain these updates. (Click on Updates & AV in the left-hand column of the Welcomescreen.) If you do not obtain the appropriate Windows and antivirus updates now, you will be asked to obtain them later in the registration process and will not be able to complete the process until you have done so. Obtaining the updates later in the process could be more time consuming.
    • If you have multiple Windows critical updates to install, you may be asked to restart your machine several times. Each time you restart, your browser window will open to the initial registration page.
    • BU supports MacAfee antivirus software and distributes it free of charge to the campus community.
  5. Once you are confident that you have your machine up-to-date, click Continueon the Welcome registration page to proceed with the registration process. During the registration process your machine will be scanned to insure that you do have all critical Windows updates and that your anti-virus software is current. If your machine is found to still be lacking, you will be directed again to obtain the current updates.
  6. On the Binghamton University ResNet Registration AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) screen, you’ll be asked to accept or decline that you have read, understand and agree to the Binghamton University Computing Services Acceptable Use Policy. Click on the link to the BU Computing and Network Acceptable Use policy. The policy will open in another window. After reading the policy, close the window and click on Accept or Decline.
  7. On the Updates, Antivirus and Spyware screen, you will see a screen appropriate for your operating system that lists supported antivirus vendors and so on in the left-hand column. Click on the appropriate links to obtain updates and antivirus software. After obtaining the necessary updates and software, click on Continue.
  8. Windows users will proceed to the CNI Client Assessment Tool screen. This tool allows Information Technology Services to check all machines for things like current antivirus definition files or Windows service packs. When you click the Continue button several things will happen. The CNI Client Assessment Tool will:
    • Check for approved, up-to-date antivirus software.
    • Set the Windows Update feature to update automatically.
  9. On the Registration Submitted screen, you’ll be instructed to rebootyour machine. For best results, wait about 10 minutes before rebooting, since it may take that long for the network to process the registration. Important notes to speed the registration process:
    • BU provides free anti-virus software along with installation instructions at http://its.binghamton.edu/security.
    • If you replace your computer or your computer's network card, you will need to register again, since the computer's network identification will have changed.
    • ITS may periodically require users to re-register their machines in order to scan and verify that machines continue to have current Windows Updates and anti-virus software installed.
  10. On the Sign In screen, enter your Pods/BGM userID and password in the appropriate fields. Use the pull-down menu to select your hardware description (laptop or desktop) and click Sign In. If you have never logged into your PODs account or have previously used your account but can’t remember your password, click on the link to the BUSI Web Center (Binghamton University Student Information) site to obtain your Pods userID and initial password or reset your password.
  11. Windows users will see a second Client Assessment Tool screen. To proceed, click where it says Click here to scan PC. Wait while your machine is scanned for required updates and antivirus software. The next screen will either tell you that your machine has PASSED the requirements to access the network or, or it will give you a list of what you are lacking. Click on the red items on the list to link to the appropriate sites to get the updates. After you download and install the necessary items, click Rescan. Once you get a screen that says you have passed the requirements, click Continue to proceed.
    • Please note that if you are asked to obtain critical updates you will need to restart your machine after installing them. When you open up a browser window again, you’ll be back at the initial registration screen and will need to click through the screens again to reach step 11.
  12. On the Registration Submitted screen, you’ll be instructed to reboot your machine. For best results, wait about 10 minutes before rebooting, since it may take that long for the network to process the registration. Important notes to speed the registration process:
    • Users can pre-register at the following website: http://resnet.verify.binghamton.edu/
    • BU provides free anti-virus software along with installation instructions at http://computing.binghamton.edu/security. 
    • If you are using a Windows machine, download all patches and critical updates.
    • If you replace your computer or your computer's network card, you will need to register again, since the computer's network identification will have changed.
    • ITS may periodically require users to re-register their machines in order to scan and verify that machines continue to have current Windows Updates and anti-virus software installed.

 

Office Network Connections

Office Network Connections At Binghamton University

Internet connections are available from most offices on campus. Faculty and staff who need help in connecting to the network from their office should contact the ITS Help Desk (x76420).

Most new computers are capable of connecting to the University network through Ethernet. Binghamton University supports Ethernet under Windows with a 3Com/10 Base-T card, and Mac OS with either a built-in Ethernet, a Farallon Ethermac transceiver, or a Farallon Ethermac card. If you are purchasing new equipment for your office and are uncertain about what to buy, contact the ITS Help Desk and ask for assistance from the Networking Support group. Binghamton University also has a lease program in place to assist its departments in acquiring and maintaining an up-to-date level of computer equipment.