I.T. Help Desk
Connecting to ECwireless
Connecting to ECwireless for the first time?3 Easy StepsRight-click and Save As... so your browser doesn't try to install it locally
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Emerson has an expansive wireless network available on campus to all students, faculty, and staff. If you're returning to Emerson this year, you'll notice some differences; we've been busy this summer upgrading equipment and installing new, faster access points. For you, this means a faster and more reliable wireless network. The wireless network has also changed name this year: ECwireless
Take a look at the images below, called "heatmaps." These images show the measured signal strength across in an entire floor inside 80 Boylston St. Red indicates poor reception and green indicates good reception. The difference is clear!
Before
After
You will in fact find two distinct networks in your Available Wireless Networks list.
- ECwireless - This is the actual wireless network that you will connect to for internet access
- ECwireless-setup - This network is unsecured, and only provides access to Microsoft Update, OS X Software Update, and connection instructions for ECwireless. You'll connect to this network first, to get your instructions. After that, you won't need it again.
Be sure to run all software updates for your computer before you begin. In OS X, click on the Apple icon in the upper left, and choose Software Update. In Windows, you can click on the Start Menu, then All Programs, then choose Windows Update.
Connection Instructions
Choose your platform below to view the connection instructions.
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How can I tell?Click on the Start Menu in the bottom left corner of your screen. Right-click on the item labeled "My Computer" or just "Computer" and choose "Properties." You will find your version of Windows listed under the heading "Windows edition" or "System." |
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These instructions are specifically for the most recent version of OS X, 10.7 Lion. However, older versions follow the same intructions. |
If you're connecting with a mobile device on campus, we've got you covered too! Below, you will find instructions for some of the most popular mobile platforms. Guides for more mobile platforms are coming soon!
Automatically connecting to ECwireless-setup?
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Because ECwireless-setup is an unprotected network, your computer may prioritize it, even when you have ECwireless configured. This means when you open your laptop, it may automatically connect to ECwireless-setup instead of ECwireless. This is an easy fix! |
Mac OS X
- In System Preferences, open the Network preference pane
- Select Wi-Fi on the left side list
- Click Advanced
- Under "Preferred Networks" click "ECwireless-setup" to select it and click the Minus sign to remove it
Windows
- Click on the Wireless icon in the system tray and click Open Network and Sharing Center
- Click Manage Wireless Networks from the left side list
- Click "ECwireless-setup" from the list to select it and then click the Remove button
The idea is the same in Windows XP, it's just a different process to getting to the box above.
- Right-click on the Wireless icon in the system tray and click on View Available Wireless Networks
- From the left side list of "Related Tasks", click Change advanced settings
- Click on the Wireless Networks tab, and under the "Preferred networks" section, click ECwireless-setup to select it and then click the Remove button
Additional Information
If you have trouble accessing ECwireless in a certain location, please email the time, date, exact location, and configuration information about your computer to: helpdesk@emerson.edu
Emerson College prohibits the use of equipment that interferes with the College's wireless network; this means you may not operate wireless base station hardware (including routers or Airport Express Base Stations) or software or other similar equipment in, on, or near College-owned buildings. Emerson assumes no responsibility to compensate you for any direct or incidental costs related to terminating interfering equipment.
Requests for temporary exceptions to the airspace policy must be addressed in writing to helpdesk@emerson.edu. For more information, please see Emerson College's Electronic Information Policy.
