Wireless Networking

The Salem State College wireless network provides a secure wireless connection to the Internet, and is available to all SSC students, faculty, and staff. Wireless access points have been installed campus-wide making wireless connectivity available in most of the meeting spaces and common areas across the College.

What You Need to Connect

1. Student ID or Employee ID

Students will need their Salem State College student ID number. If you do not have an ID number go to the Registrar's Office.

Employees will need their network user name (i.e. SSCAD account). If you are a SSC employee and you do not have a SSCAD account contact the IT Helpdesk at (978) 542-2036 (on campus dial ext. 2036).

2. A Laptop with a Wireless Card

Your laptop operating system must be Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Mac OS 10.2.

Laptops running Windows 98, Mac OS 9, and Mac OS X (10.1) are not able to establish a secure connection, and are not supported.

We do not recommend or support any Linksys Wireless Cards.

• Recommended Wireless Cards

3. VPN software

VPN software enables you to connect to our secure network by using encryption and other security mechanisms. VPN ensures that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted. You will need to download and install VPN software on your computer. Links to free VPN software will be provided once you logon to the network.

Connecting

During the wireless connection setup you will be required to restart your computer so it is advised that you save the wireless instructions to your desktop. Click here to download the instructions to your desktop. You will not be able to access these instructions during the setup process!

From Within the Wireless Coverage Area

1. Open a web browser. If you are not redirected to the SSC wireless page, please enter the following address: http://wireless.salemstate.edu.
2. Click the Student link and complete the wireless activation form. Please read all the instructions carefully!
3. Download the appropriate VPN software. Links to this software are provided upon completion of the wireless activation form.
4. Install the VPN software
   1. A WinZip self-extractor window will come up. Be sure the box next to overwrite files without prompting is checked.
   2. In the 'Unzip to folder:' box, type: c:\temp
   3. Click Unzip - The files will extract to the c:\temp folder
   4. Click on your Start button, then click Run.
   5. In the 'Open:' box, type c:\temp\setup.exe
   6. Installation of the client will begin. Select all of the default options in the following windows (Next or Yes).
5. Restart your computer
   1. The installation will prompt you to reboot your computer now. Select yes, and click Finish. Even if you already had a VPN client installed, you will need to restart your computer to obtain the correct IP settings.
6. Start the Cisco VPN software
   1. After your computer restarts, click the Start button, select 'All Programs', 'Cisco Systems VPN Client', 'VPN Client'. You will need to start this each time you want to connect to the wireless network at SSC.
7. Configure the Cisco VPN software
   1. Click on the 'New' button on the top half of the Client Window.
   2. In the Connection Entry field, type: SSC-student (Employees type: SSC-staffdomain)
   3. In the Description field, type: SSC wireless configuration
   4. In the Host field, type: wirelessvpn.salemstate.edu
   5. Under the Authentication tab, type the wireless group name into the name field. Also type the wireless group password in the password and confirm password fields. (These will be provided once you have completed the activation form.)
   6. After all the above settings have been entered, click the 'Save' button.
8. Start the Connection to the VPN
   1. Double click on the SSC connection to begin the log on procedure to the VPN.
9. Log on to the VPN
1. A window will pop up asking for your username and wireless password. Use the password you created when you submitted the activation form. Employees use your SSCAD account username and password.

Additional Resources

• Reset Your Student Wireless Network Password
• Reset Your Employee Wireless Network Password
• Wireless Network FAQs

Contact Us

Business Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm
Laptop Walk-in Hours: Mon-Fri Noon-4:00pm
Telephone: 978-542-2036
Email: it-helpdesk@salemstate.edu
Online:Help Desk Request Form