Berea College

The IT Department provides internet, server, telephone, and wireless/wired network infrastructure support to the Berea College community. We are located in the IT offices and can be reached through the <a href="mailto: help_desk@berea.edu">Helpdesk</a> in the event that you encounter any issues with any of the services that we provide.

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<h3><strong>Getting a Network Account</strong></h3>
Network accounts are created for current students, faculty, and staff members at the time of your hiring. Please contact the <a href="https://legacy.berea.edu/iss/technology-resource-center/" rel="noopener">Helpdesk</a> if you are a current student, faculty, or staff member and  do not have your network credentials.
<h3><strong>A few things to consider once you have your network account</strong></h3>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Password Security:</strong> Your network account is for your use only – you should <strong>never </strong>divulge your password to anyone, <em>even to IT</em>.  The importance of this cannot be stated strongly enough – <em>any</em> request for your password should be reported to <a href="mailto:networkservices@berea.edu">networkservices@berea.edu</a> immediately.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Enrolling in Password Recovery:</strong> We provide a simple and easy to use tool for self-service password resetting, but you must enroll in it prior to the need to reset your password. See our <a href="http://password.berea.edu/">Password Management tool</a>. If you have lost or forgotten your password and have not enrolled in this tool, please call the Helpdesk at extension 3343, or stop by for assistance.</li>
</ul>
Take a moment to enroll now by using our <a href="http://password.berea.edu/">Password Management tool</a>!
<h3><strong>Connecting to the network:</strong></h3>
There are two ways to get connected to the Berea College network: wired and wireless.

<strong>Wired network access: </strong>A wired connection is preferable whenever it is available because when plugged into a network jack the connection is at least twice as fast (and often as much as 10-15x as fast) as a wireless connection. We can provide you with a network patch cord if needed.

Wired network ports should already be available in all offices and dorm rooms on campus, but if you find that there are not enough network outlets in any given area, please contact the <a href="https://legacy.berea.edu/iss/technology-resource-center/" rel="noopener">Helpdesk</a> for assistance.

<em>Please do not purchase a hub or switch for use in your office</em> – these devices create performance and security issues and will be disabled or removed. We will be happy to help resolve this issue in an approved manner.

<strong>Wireless network access</strong>: Wireless network access is provided across campus in most all buildings, and in a few outside areas as well. There are three wireless networks available, but you should be familiar with the purpose of each of these before attempting to use them.

Read more about the wireless networks around campus <a href="https://legacy.berea.edu/iss/network-services/wireless-access/" rel="noopener">here</a>.  Be sure that when you connect to a wireless network it is part of the College and not a ‘rogue’ wireless source. Connecting your device to any non-college wireless network could allow others to gain access to your files, install software on your device, capture your personal data such as usernames, passwords, bank account information, or any other data that your device sends over the wireless connection.

The Berea College networks are designed to encrypt wireless traffic to minimize these types of security risks. <em>Please do not install wireless access points or wireless routers in your office or work space</em> – these devices create a severe security risk to the College and will be removed as soon as they are detected. We will be happy to work with you to resolve any network issues that you may be experiencing in an approved manner.

Network Access

<div class="entry-content">

There are two supported wireless networks available on campus in administrative, academic, and residential spaces:  <strong>BCSecure and BereaBYOD</strong>.

Please be aware that not all devices will be able to connect to all of these wireless networks. Some devices designed primarily for use in the home (Roku, Apple TV, Kindle e-ink devices, etc.) do not support enterprise-level wireless security protocols, so they will not be able to access the BCSecure wireless networks. We provide wireless networks specifically for use with these devices in locations across campus and these are BereaBYOD and BereaGuest.

<em>* Please also keep in mind that wireless networks are not as reliable or stable as wired networks even in the best of circumstance are not as fast as a wired connection. If you are in an area of high utilization or radio frequency interference, or if you are far from the nearest access point, you may experience intermittent slowness and/or decreased performance. </em>
<h3><strong>General Campus Wireless Networks</strong></h3>
<h3><strong>BCSecure:</strong></h3>
<ul>
 	<li>For Student, Faculty, and Staff use.</li>
 	<li>Provides non-rate-limited access to all internal College systems just as if you were connected to a wired network outlet.</li>
 	<li>To gain access to this network you <em>must</em> have a valid Berea College username and password.</li>
 	<li>This is the preferred campus network in all buildings for devices that are capable of connecting with a Berea College username and password.
<ul>
 	<li>If your device cannot connect to BCSecure, please refer to BereaBYOD information on gaining the same campus network connectivity via our device registration portal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>BereaBYOD:</strong></h3>
This wireless network services guests of the campus, but also provides an additional non-rate limited access for employees and students to connect various gaming, entertainment, or smart devices to the college network. This network provides the same connectivity campus users have with BCSecure and is the same level of encrypted security.
<ul>
 	<li>Guest of the college can use the BYOD portal to register a guest account.  This will provide wireless access for 24 hours.
<ul>
 	<li>To do so, visitors should connect to the BereaBYOD network and open a browser.  This will direct guests to the BYOD portal — below the login prompt is an option to create an account.</li>
 	<li>Guests will need to provide a name, email address, and accept the terms of use. Once the account is created, a username, guest password, and expiration time will be provided.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li>Employees and students can register devices that are incompatible with the BCSecure network.
<ul>
 	<li>Examples are Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Bring-Your-Own-Devices (BYOD) which may include gaming consoles, streaming devices, smart speakers, and other smart devices.</li>
 	<li>These devices will often not allow you to connect to wireless with your username and password and will have the option to enter only the password to the network you are connecting to, or require you to connect to the device through an app on your phone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Before registering devices to the BYOD network, you must know the MAC address of your device(s).

<a href="https://cppm-vip.berea.edu/guest/auth_login.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BYOD Registration (wifi)</a>

</div>

Wireless Networks 

<h3><strong>What is VPN access?</strong></h3>
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VPN access is a secure method of connecting to the College network when you are off-campus. It allows a computer or mobile device to establish a secure connection over the Internet so that you can access resources just as you would from your office while preventing unauthorized people from eavesdropping on the communication.
<h3><strong>How do I get VPN access?</strong></h3>
VPN access is given to those who have the approval of the CIO or the Director of Network and Infrastructure. This approval requires demonstration of a legitimate need for this type of access for business purposes as well as authorization from your AC member (Provost, Dean, VP, etc.). Once this process is completed, you will be granted VPN access as soon as possible.
<h3><strong>What platforms are supported by the VPN software?</strong></h3>
Windows 10 and MacOS are supported at this time. When you connect to install the software, the firewall will provide you with the appropriate version of the VPN client based on your operating system.
<h3><strong>How do I use the VPN once I have access?</strong></h3>
Once you have been given VPN access, all you have to do is enter the link provided in the VPN directions in any web browser. You will then be prompted to log in using your Berea College network credentials.

After you have successfully logged in, the VPN software will establish a secure connection to the Campus network and you will be able to do all the things that you are able to do while connected in your office on campus. Detailed instructions may be requested by anyone approved for VPN access by contacting the <a href="mailto: help_desk@berea.edu">Helpdesk</a>.
<h3><strong>Can I use the VPN at work?</strong></h3>
Yes, you can, but there is no benefit to doing so. The VPN is intended for use from off-campus locations, to allow you to establish a secure connection between your computer and the College network. When you are on the College network there is no need to use the VPN because you already have an established connection.

On-campus VPN access is intended to allow you to install and/or test the VPN software before you depart campus, in the event that you need assistance. Please contact the <a href="mailto: help_desk@berea.edu">Helpdesk</a> if you require assistance using or installing the VPN client software.
<h3><strong>What if my VPN is not working?</strong></h3>
<ol>
 	<li>Verify that the <em>entire</em> VPN address is correct in the VPN client software – the proper information is located in the document that was emailed to you when you were given VPN access.</li>
 	<li>Reboot your computer fully (please do not just logout and then login again as this will not work.) On rare occasions, the VPN software does not fully disconnect from a previous session. Restarting the computer will ensure that it has done so.</li>
 	<li>Uninstall the VPN software, reboot, and go to the VPN link in your browser. This will allow any damaged or missing files to be replaced and give you a fresh installation with the latest VPN software.</li>
 	<li>If these steps do not work, please contact the <a href="mailto: help_desk@berea.edu">Helpdesk</a>.</li>
</ol>
</div>

VPN Access

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In order to maintain security and stability, we regularly perform maintenance on the systems and services that Berea College owns. Below is the schedule of times when regular maintenance <em>may</em> be performed during the College operating calendar. Please be aware that <em>emergency</em> maintenance <em>may</em> be performed outside of these windows or on College holidays, but will generally be announced campus-wide.

<strong>During these maintenance service windows, services impacted <em>may</em> be degraded or unavailable.</strong>

Please note that no additional notices will be sent for any scheduled routine maintenance windows; however, if any scheduled work exceeds the window, a follow-up notice will be sent by individual groups responsible for the service.  The best option is to check with the Helpdesk (<a href="mailto:help_desk@berea.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">help_desk@berea.edu</a>) if you have any questions or concerns.

Below is the schedule of times when regular maintenance <em>may</em> be performed during the College operating calendar. Please be aware that <em>emergency</em> maintenance <em>may</em> be performed outside of these windows or on College holidays, but will generally be announced campus-wide.
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Server Maintenance</strong>: 1:30 to 6:30 AM, Every Monday</li>
 	<li><strong>Banner:</strong> 1:00 – 3:00 AM, Tuesday – Saturday.</li>
 	<li><strong>BDM:</strong> 1:00 – 3:00 AM, Tuesday – Saturday.</li>
 	<li><strong>Argos:</strong> 1:00 – 3:00 AM, Tuesday – Saturday.</li>
 	<li><strong>MyBerea portal functionality:</strong> 1:00 – 3:00 AM, Tuesday – Saturday.</li>
 	<li><strong>All of the following services</strong>: 1:30 to 6:30 AM, Every Thursday<strong>:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>MyBerea Portal</li>
 	<li>Network file shares.</li>
 	<li>Server-based applications (Printing, Web Control, etc.)</li>
 	<li>Wired and Wireless network access in all buildings on campus.</li>
 	<li>VPN access.</li>
 	<li>Telephone service (including time clocks.)</li>
 	<li>General Internet access.</li>
 	<li>All cloud-based services (Box, OneDrive etc.)</li>
 	<li>Email (Office365)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Currently Scheduled System Maintenance

<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 12.0pt 0in;">About wireless technology in general</h4>


Wireless technology cannot provide as reliable or as stable an experience as a wired network due to limitations with the technology needed to manage multiple devices connecting over a shared medium (the air essentially). There are a number of factors that can degrade wireless performance, a few of which are outlined below. These are the same issues that apply to your personal wireless access point at home, but the difference is that at home you are not supporting almost 2000 wireless devices so you don’t experience them the same way to will here on campus.


<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Interference</h4>


In a wired network each device uses a dedicated physical connection to the network hardware so there is never any cross communication, but in a wireless network there is no physical connection, every device uses a shared medium to communicate, and at any given time a new device may enter the service area and attempt to communicate at the same time another device is sending or receiving a signal. This can cause any number of issues until the access point negotiates with all clients to reestablish proper communications, just like a room full of people all talking at once cannot clearly communicate until a speaking order is established.



Nearby devices that also use WiFi channels (printers, Bluetooth devices, etc.) as well as general electromagnetic energy from lights, copiers, etc. add to this problem, acting much like someone who refuses to adhere to the speaking order and constantly talks over the person trying to talk. Add to that objects that absorb or reflect wireless signals, like metal furniture or wall studs, which generate what equates to echoes in a lecture hall.


<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Capacity</h4>


In a wired network each device has it’s own connection and it always gets 100% of the bandwidth of that connection, but with wireless multiple devices share a singe connection. Since an access point can only support a fixed amount of traffic and all devices using the access point must share that fixed bandwidth, the more devices that are connected at once the less bandwidth per client is available..



Some applications take up far more of this bandwidth than others (video for example takes exponentially more than checking email) so the type of traffic being generated by each device at any given time can create variable performance for all connected devices.



Additionally, each antenna can only transmit at one speed, and that speed is decided by the device with the lowest communication speed. For example, if you are connected using the latest and greatest smart phone, and someone else is connected to the same antenna using a 4 year old laptop, the antenna will ‘talk’ to both of your devices at the slower speed set by the older laptop. The technology works this way so that both older and newer technology can utilize the wireless network.


<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Coverage</h4>


The closer you are to the access point the stronger the signal from that access point is, and the stronger the signal that your device generates is when it reaches the access point. Conversely, the farther you get from the access point the weaker the signal to and from both devices. When the signal weakens it takes more time to send the same amount of data, so the weaker the signals the slower the connection. This contributes to the speed issue mentioned above, as the farther you get from the antenna, the slower your data transfer rate will be, and that is the rate that sets the speed for all clients using that particular antenna.


<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Bandwidth limits</h4>


Some wireless networks are bandwidth limited (BereaGuest) because they are intended for light use only (checking email, briefly viewing a web page, checking the weather, etc.) When using a rate limited network you may encounter a lower page load rate or reduced performance – this is normal and prevents people not associated with the College from abusing the service.


<h4 style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">General notes about wireless technology</h4>


In order to have the best performance you need to be very close to the access point, have as little electromagnetic interference in the vicinity as possible, and have few, if any, other people sharing your connection to that access point. Needless to say, it is difficult to get a connection that is close to the quality and reliability of a wired connection at all times in all locations. If you know of an area that has chronically poor wireless service please report it to <a href="mailto:NetworkServices@berea.edu">NetworkServices@berea.edu</a> and we will evaluate the situation and do what we can to improve the conditions in that area.

Why is the wireless network sometimes slow?

<strong>About wireless in classrooms</strong>

We are currently working to improve both wireless coverage and capacity in all classroom spaces on campus, but not all classrooms are the same in regard to wireless performance. While we routinely monitor the level of wireless network usage in classroom spaces so that we can address issues that may arise, it is still very important to keep in mind that wireless technology has a number of inherit problems when used in high density areas such as classrooms. These issues can be addressed to a certain extent, but not fully eliminated.

We have been working to expand both coverage and capacity in classroom spaces, but be aware that at this time not all classroom spaces can handle large numbers of concurrent wireless users. While we strongly suggest that people connect to a wired network outlet whenever possible, but if you must rely on wireless for an event or activity that involves more than 10 people it is best to contact the Helpdesk directly before scheduling any given room. We can help you find one of the upgraded classroom spaces that can properly support high density wireless demand, but please review the following before your event or activity so that you are aware of what to expect.

<strong>Some things to keep in mind when considering how to use wireless in your classroom:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>All wireless users <em>share a common connection</em> to the network, so the more devices that are using the wireless in your classroom, the less of the shared connection will be available for each device. This applies even to classrooms with upgraded wireless functionality (because it is inherent to wireless technology.)</li>
 	<li>There is a fixed amount of bandwidth that any given wireless access point can use, so high-bandwidth activity (streaming video, downloading large files, etc.) will quickly consume available bandwidth, even with a small number of devices in use at one time.</li>
 	<li>There are a fixed number of devices that each access point can service at one time, and the access point will rotate through all wireless users repeatedly in order to be able to provide service to all connected users. The more users it has to rotate through the less performance each user will experience. Again, this is inherent in the technology and we can only try to make it less of an issue – it can never be fully eliminated.</li>
 	<li>Other devices may interfere with wireless activity, so please consider turning off other wireless technology like Bluetooth devices, phones not being used for classroom activities, etc. Any device that sends signals over the same frequency that is being used by wireless devices will degrade performance (sometimes significantly.)</li>
 	<li>Be aware that not all wireless devices are created equal. The older the device the slower the common connection will run and each wireless antenna must scale all connected devices to the slowest common speed of all the devices that it is servicing. If you have older devices in use it could negatively impact all users in your classroom.</li>
</ol>

What can I expect from wireless in my classroom?

<strong>Using a laptop computer</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Turn your WiFi adapter off, wait 5 seconds, and then turn it on again.<em> (Sometimes Windows-based clients need a full reset of the WiFi adapter before they can properly negotiate a secure connection.)</em></li>
 	<li>Reboot your computer and then try to connect to BereaSecure</li>
 	<li>Remove the profile* for BereaSecure and attempt to connect again. If you are not sure how to do this, stop by the Helpdesk with your device whenever it’s convenient for you.</li>
 	<li>Mac users only: Delete the keychain entry for BereaSecure and then attempt to connect again.</li>
</ol>
<strong><em>*this process varies from one device to the next – if you are not familiar with this process please bring your device to the Help Desk for assistance.</em></strong>

<strong>Using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Touch Settings</li>
 	<li>Touch General</li>
 	<li>Scroll down and touch Reset (Don’t Panic!)</li>
 	<li>Touch Reset Network Settings (this clears ONLY your wireless network settings)</li>
 	<li>Try to connect to the BereaSecure network again once the device is ready.</li>
</ol>
<em>If this does not work, please try the following:</em>
<ol>
 	<li>Touch Settings.</li>
 	<li>Touch WiFi.</li>
 	<li>Move the WiFi slider to On (if it is not already in that position.)</li>
 	<li>For each wireless network in the list, touch the blue arrow (located to the right of the screen.)</li>
 	<li>Scroll the screen all the way to the top (drag your finger down the screen) and touch ‘Forget this Network’.</li>
 	<li>Move the Wifi slider to the Off position.</li>
 	<li>Move the Wifi slider back to the On position.</li>
 	<li>Touch BereaSecure.</li>
 	<li>Enter your username and password just as you do when you login to a computer.</li>
 	<li>Accept the certificate.</li>
</ol>
If you still cannot access the wireless network please contact the Helpdesk or stop by with your device and we will help you resolve this issue.

<em>NOTE: Not all devices can connect to a secure wireless network. Gaming consoles and other personal devices (Roku, Apple TV, etc.) also do not support enterprise security and will only connect to the ResNet or BereaGuest wireless networks. </em>

Network Services