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Connect to the Wireless Network
The college has four wireless networks that faculty, staff, students, and campus guests may use. They serve different purposes and may require either configuration or registration of your device(s).
PC-Secure
PC-Secure is the primary wireless network used by most devices owned by faculty, staff, and students. PC-Secure may require some configuration to connect, but should be used by any device that supports enterprise level network security (802.1x and WPA2 Enterprise) as it offers the greatest level of security. PC-Secure is only available to current faculty, staff, and students.
Connect to PC-Secure
PC-Devices
PC-Devices is a network used by “consumer electronics” devices that do not support enterprise level network security and authentication. These types of devices include game consoles, smart TVs, smart speakers, digital media players, etc. PC-Devices requires that the device be registered. PC-Devices is only available to current faculty, staff, and students.
Connect to PC-Devices
PC-Guest
Individual guests can simply connect to the PC-Guest network. Upon connecting to the network, they may see a window open up asking them to fill out a form to connect. If this form does not display, they simply need to open any webpage, which will automatically be redirected to the form. The form requires they are sponsored by a current member of the faculty, staff, or student body. Guest access expires 24 hours from confirmation. Sponsors will receive an email with a link to confirm or reject the requested access. You can follow that link and log in with your network username and password.
Connect to PC-Guest with a Sponsor
Conferences, events, and planned official visits by an individual that will last longer than 24 hours should submit a service request or email the Helpdesk at helpdesk@providence.edu at least 48 hours prior to arrival to have a temporary guest account created for wireless access via PC-Guest. Please provide the name of the event, the staff/faculty sponsor of the event, and the start and end dates for when the guests will need wireless access.
Request Guest Wireless Account
eduroam
Eduroam is a wireless network roaming service. It allows members of other eduroam subscribers to connect to the wireless network on our campus using their own institution’s credentials. It also allows our faculty, staff, and students to connect to the wireless network at other eduroam subscribing institutions. Eduroam at Providence College is a guest network, allowing only web access.
Connect to eduroam
Wired Network in Residence Halls
To connect to the wired network in your residence hall, you need a device with an Ethernet adapter and an Ethernet cable. We recommend a cable about 25 feet in length to accommodate any rearranging of furniture. Ethernet cables can be purchased at the PC Bookstore. You will simply need to plug your cable into your computer and into the jack in the wall. The active jacks have a blue icon next to them.
Restrictions
We actively block peer-to-peer traffic, such as Bit Torrent, as a policy. See the HEOA Copyright and P2P File Sharing Requirements page from our Information Security Officer.
Requirements
All computers connect to the network must be up-to-date with all security patches. They must also be running anti-virus software with up-to-date virus definitions.
Troubleshooting
Network & Wi-Fi Connectivity
Faculty & Staff
Try rebooting your computer. If using a wired network connection, please make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged firmly into the wall (or your Cisco desk phone) and the computer. We do not expect you to move furniture or crawl under desks if that is necessary. If using a wireless connection, please be sure you are connecting to PC-Secure and remove any other PC networks from your preferred networks list if your computer is connecting to something else. If everything seems right, please contact the Helpdesk at 401-865-4357.
Students
Please try the following:
- For wired connections, make sure network cable is securely plugged into both the computer and the wall jack. If that doesn’t work, take a picture of the jack panel and email helpdesk@providence.edu with the picture attached. Please include whether or not the jack appears to be physically damaged.
- Check with other people in on your floor to see if they have connectivity.
- Reboot your computer.