The two Langara wireless networks ("LangaraSecure" and "Langara") provide the following services, for current students and staff only:
1. Access to the Internet
2. Access to email via the myLangara portal
3. Access to H: J: and I: drives (Mac: Falcon, Eagle or Jay), via myfiles netStorage.
As the name suggests, LangaraSecure is the better of the two networks to use.
This is because all "LangaraSecure" network traffic is encrypted. Encryption prevents electronic eavesdropping on your network activity.
With the "Langara" wireless network (as opposed to "LangaraSecure"), only the initial username and password authentication is encrypted.
If you cannot connect to "LangaraSecure" for any reason, however, you can connect to "Langara."
A link to a page describing how to connect to both networks is found at the bottom of this page. Please read the following important material, however, rather than skipping directly to the link.
Requirements
You will need to have one of the following supported systems to use the service:
- PC Laptop with Windows 2000 or Windows XP Home/Pro or better
- Apple Macintosh Laptop with OSX
- Personal Data Assistant (PDA).
Your system must have a wireless network adapter which supports the wireless IEEE 802.11B/G standard and a Java-enabled web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.
A Langara Campus Login ID is given to all registered students and staff. To find your UserID and Password, please use the Langara Student Registration System from our main web page. Your wireless UserID and Password are the same as that you use to login to college lab or office computers.
Accommodations for staff-sponsored visitors and guests may be facilitated by contacting Information & Educational Technology Services at local 5999.
The above are minimum requirements for using the wireless system. However, it is recommended that the user consider extra security precautions.
Security
We recommend that before connecting, users do the following to protect themselves from malicious activity:
- Turn off all non-essential services such as file sharing and printer sharing. If you are connected and have a non-password-protected file share, you are opening up your computer to others.
- Use a virus scanner with auto-updating, since there are many viruses and worms constantly propagating over the internet. We currently use Sophos Anti-Virus at the College, but many others are available, such as AVAST Home Edition.
- Use personal firewall software to prevent unauthorized access to your personal computer when connected to the network. Windows XP has a built in simple firewall which can be activated. Mac OS X has a firewall which is active by default. There are many other software firewall products available. Ones that are free for personal use include Zone Alarm Free Personal Edition.
- Keep your Operating System software as up to date as possible. PC Windows users can visit the Microsoft Windows Update website. Macintosh users can run Software Update or visit Apple's support site to obtain the latest updates. PDA users can visit their manufacturers' respective support websites for updates.
How to connect wirelessly at Langara
Students (and instructors) can now access the new server named myLinux which is housed on mylinux.langara.bc.ca. Returning students will remember this as Gambit on instruct.langara.bc.ca.
The logon ID and password for myLinux is the same as those for your desktop.
For complete details visit myLinux.
