Barnard Wireless Network FAQ


What is a wireless network and how does it work?

A wireless network uses transmitters, called access points, that connect by cable to the existing network. Access points positioned at various locations on campus allow our network to be more broadly and easily distributed. Any computer with a wireless card communicates with these access points through the use of radio waves.

The wireless card in your computer will automatically communicate with whichever access point provides the strongest signal. If you move your position, your laptop may change its connection to a different access point.


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What is an SSID?

When Discussing wireless networking, an SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is a way of differentiating between all the wireless networks available in a given area. The SSID for Barnard's open network is Barnard College, while the SSIDs for Barnard's secure wireless depend on the building the APs are in. For example, the SSID for the secure wireless network in Plimpton is Plimpton Hall while the network in the Quad has SSID Barnard Quad. The SSID for Columbia's open network is Columbia University.The SSID for Barnard's open network is 'Barnard College', while the SSID for Barnard's secure wireless in Sulzberger and Elliott is 'Residential Wireless'. The SSID for Columbia's open network is 'Columbia University'. See glossary for additional information.

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What is the difference between the various wireless networks?

The SSID for Barnard's open network is Barnard College and does not require a login to connect. However, online activity on the open network is limited to web browsing. Barnard's authenticated wireless will has SSIDs based on the location where one is connecting. The SSIDs for authenticated wireless are Barnard Quad, Barnard 600s,Plimpton, and Elliott for the residence halls and Barnard Hall, Lehman, Altschul, and Milbank for administrative buildings. Authenticated wireless requires a user name and password to connect to it. Students can connect to the authenticated networks with their Barnard UNI (ab1234) and password, or with their Columbia email address (ab1234@columbia.edu) and password. Non-Barnard students can also connect to Barnard's authenticated wireless networks using their Columbia email addresses.

Just because a network requires authentication and is secure does not mean that your computer is invincible from viruses and other malicious creatures from the world wide web, only that the data you send over the internet is encrypted and therefore more secure than on an open connection. Please make sure that you have installed protective software onto your computer. Visit the Authenticated Wireless page to learn more about secure wireless and the Resnet website to learn more about safe computing.

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What is a hotspot?

A wireless hotspot is a wireless network that is meant for convenience and ease of use. Barnard's hotspots have the SSID Barnard College. They require no authentication to connect, but also do not offer any wireless encryption. In addition, in locations where there is also an authenticated network (see Authenticated Wireless), the network access on hotspots is limited to web browsing. Other applications such as chat programs and email clients will not work.


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What is authenticated wireless?

An authenticated wireless network requires users to prove that they are legitimate users of a network before they can connect to it. At Barnard, authentication requires configuring your computer to prompt you for your Barnard email username and password when you connect. For instructions on how to set up this configuration, please see Authenticated Wireless. After you have authenticated, you have access to all network functionality as well as wireless encryption. We encourage all Barnard College affiliates to use one of the authenticated networks whenever possible. In locations where authenticated networks are offered, the hotspot wireless will be restricted to web browsing only.


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Where can I connect to wireless on the Barnard campus?

To view a map and a list of areas with wireless coverage on campus, please visit Wireless Coverage.This map does not differentiate between hotspot and authenticated wireless. It indicates only the locations on campus that offer any supported wireless connectivity.


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Does Columbia have a wireless network I can use?

Yes, you can also connect to the wireless network on the Columbia campus. Please visit CUIT Networking for more information on connecting your computer to Columbia's network.


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What is the speed of the wireless network on campus?

Barnard's wireless network complies with the IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g standards, both of which use the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) band. Some electronic devices, such as microwave ovens, some wireless phones, and radio transmitters use the same frequency, and can cause interference with the 802.11b and 802.11g signals. The IEEE 802.11b standard enables speeds up to 11 megabits per second (Mbps). The IEEE 802.11g enables speeds up to 54 Mbps.


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How secure is it?

The open networks 'Barnard College' at Barnard and 'Columbia University' at Columbia are considered "insecure". It is possible for information transmitted to be "captured" by anyone listening on the network, so it is important to exercise caution when sending personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers over these networks. Many websites that require personal information are inherently secure, but you should always be aware of whether the site you're visiting is secure or insecure.

If you are located in any of the residential or administrative locations that offer authenticated wireless, you should use the secure SSID in that location to make sure your information is not compromised. These networks are secured through the use of encryption at a wireless level, from a client's wireless card to the Access Point. Please see Authenticated Wireless for more information about the security of these SSIDs.


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How do I configure my computer for wireless?

Networks on campus require different configurations. Please follow the appropriate link below for the network you wish to connect to:

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