Difference between revisions of "Connecting to the Network"

Latest revision as of 09:56, 27 August 2025

Learn about ways to connect to Evergreen's network.

About Network Connections at Evergreen

All college-owned computers at Evergreen are networked. This allows the computers to communicate electronically to other computers and devices, both on the campus and on the Internet.

Computers may connect to the college network in one of two ways: Via a wired network cable plugged into a network port (Ethernet), or via Wi-Fi.

Please remember that connecting to the College's networks is subject to the Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources policy.

Wired Connections (Ethernet)

Generally speaking, the use of wired connections is reserved for stationary college-owned computers, such as those found in the Library and Computer Labs. Printers and other college-owned devices may also have wired connections to the network. While there are some network ports available for general use in common areas, most of those ports are no longer connected to the network.

One exception to this general rule is in the use of the podiums within classrooms, used by presenters. These podiums offer some wired connections for those needing to connect a device to the network as they present.

Wi-Fi (wireless) connections

The Evergreen State College offers free wireless networking inside nearly all buildings on campus, both in Olympia and Tacoma. Users may see a variety of wireless networks available when they attempt to connect, but only two of them are intended for general purpose access.

TESCWireless

The TESCWireless network offers free access to anyone on the campus and does not require a password to connect. This network is intended for use by anyone, including members of the public and other visitors. Network data that is sent and received on TESCWireless is not encrypted while "in flight" so users should be cautious about sharing private information while using this network. (Note that the network encryption is separate from the encryption offered when connecting to secure websites, and those are still considered encrypted even while "in flight".) You can tell whether you are on a secure website by looking for the HTTPS:// at the beginning of the web address and also looking for a lock icon in the address bar of your browser.

Evergreen Secure

In 2024 the college introduced the Evergreen Secure wireless network. This network does encrypt traffic while "in flight" between your device and the network's Wireless Access Points. The encryption is based on your username and password, so it is intended for those who have network accounts with the college, such as Students and Employees. As such, you will be asked to provide your network credentials when connecting. You may also be asked to accept / trust a Certificate when connecting. This is a digital Certificate that asserts the identity of the College's network authentication server. (See Technical Notes, below for additional detail.)

Additionally, the Evergreen Secure wireless network offers privileged access to some college resources, if you are using a college-owned computer when connecting. This includes printers, and network file shares.

Additional Resources

Network FAQ

Technical Notes

The Certificate presented by the Evergreen Secure wireless network should show the following details if examined:

Subject Common Name: oly-clearpass
Organizational Unit: Network Services
Organization: The Evergreen State College
Issuer Common Name: oly-clearpass
Serial Number: 6C 03 0C C9 CC A0 4C 29 67 DA ED BE 44 BF 2C 5C EE B7 71 5F

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==Network?==
+__NOTOC__
-All computers at Evergreen are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network networked]. That means you can access stuff that lives on any server from any workstation on campus (and with a little effort, you can access the network from home too). Depending on the type of information youre trying to access, you might need to figure out how to access files from a few different places.
+{{TwoColumn|lead=
+[[File:Network.svg|75px|left]]Learn about ways to connect to Evergreen's network.
-==Connecting to the wired LAN (Local Area Network)==
+<br />
-Most offices and classrooms on campus have network jacks that you can plug into on the walls, provided you have the right kind of cable. (There are a limited number of Ethernet Cables available to check out from the [http://www.evergreen.edu/computercenter/studhelp3.htm computer center])In Sem II, there are also jacks located in the floor. Look for the trap doors. In the Sem II Lecture Halls (on the first floor), there are jacks that pop up from all the tables.
+----
-http://www.evergreen.edu/netservices/images/walljack1.jpg
+|content=
+=== About Network Connections at Evergreen ===
+All college-owned computers at Evergreen are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network networked]. This allows the computers to communicate electronically to other computers and devices, both on the campus and on the Internet.
-==For Those Without Internet Access at Home==
+Computers may connect to the college network in one of two ways: Via a wired network cable plugged into a network port (Ethernet), or via Wi-Fi.
-Evergreen has a modem pool that students can access from home. It allows you to use Evergreen resources even if you don't have your own internet access at home.[http://www.evergreen.edu/netservices/connected/dialup.htm More Info] This is strictly for academic use (meaning, don't try to use this as your ISP. You can only access Evergreen resources through this connection. And it's kindo slow) This can be helpful if you're staying somewhere that doesn't have Internet access and you've got a paper due.
-[[Category:Evergreen Network]]
+'''Please remember that connecting to the College's networks is subject to the [https://www.evergreen.edu/policies/appropriateuseofinformationtechnologyresources Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources] policy.'''
+=== Wired Connections (Ethernet) ===
+Generally speaking, the use of wired connections is reserved for stationary college-owned computers, such as those found in the Library and Computer Labs. Printers and other college-owned devices may also have wired connections to the network. While there are some network ports available for general use in common areas, most of those ports are no longer connected to the network.
+One exception to this general rule is in the use of the podiums within classrooms, used by presenters. These podiums offer some wired connections for those needing to connect a device to the network as they present.
+=== Wi-Fi (wireless) connections ===
+The Evergreen State College offers free wireless networking inside nearly all buildings on campus, both in Olympia and Tacoma. Users may see a variety of wireless networks available when they attempt to connect, but only two of them are intended for general purpose access.
+==== TESCWireless ====
+The TESCWireless network offers free access to anyone on the campus and does not require a password to connect. This network is intended for use by anyone, including members of the public and other visitors. Network data that is sent and received on TESCWireless is not encrypted while "in flight" so users should be cautious about sharing private information while using this network. (Note that the network encryption is separate from the encryption offered when connecting to secure websites, and those are still considered encrypted even while "in flight".) You can tell whether you are on a secure website by looking for the HTTPS:// at the beginning of the web address and also looking for a lock icon in the address bar of your browser.
+==== Evergreen Secure ====
+In 2024 the college introduced the Evergreen Secure wireless network. This network does encrypt traffic while "in flight" between your device and the network's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_access_point Wireless Access Points]. The encryption is based on your username and password, so it is intended for those who have network accounts with the college, such as Students and Employees. As such, you will be asked to provide your network credentials when connecting. You may also be asked to accept / trust a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_key_certificate Certificate] when connecting. This is a digital Certificate that asserts the identity of the College's network authentication server. (See Technical Notes, below for additional detail.)
+Additionally, the Evergreen Secure wireless network offers privileged access to some college resources, if you are using a college-owned computer when connecting. This includes printers, and network file shares.
+=== Additional Resources ===
+*[[Network FAQ]]
+=== Technical Notes ===
+The Certificate presented by the Evergreen Secure wireless network should show the following details if examined:
+* Subject Common Name: oly-clearpass
+* Organizational Unit: Network Services
+* Organization: The Evergreen State College
+* Issuer Common Name: oly-clearpass
+* Serial Number: 6C 03 0C C9 CC A0 4C 29 67 DA ED BE 44 BF 2C 5C EE B7 71 5F
+|sidebar=
+{{GetHelp}}
+}}
+[[Category:Network]]