Wireless FAQ

The college provides high speed Internet access to anyone connected to the campus wired and wireless networks. Network bandwidth is managed to ensure an equitable distribution among all users. 

Students will connect to the MCStudent wireless network. Employees of the college connect to the MCEmployee network. You will need your MyMack username and password to connect to the network. Personal routers are prohibited.

Eligible: Students, Employees
Availability: 24 Hours, Daily
Support:
Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Courtesy guest access is available for web-browsing. Access speed is rate-limited. Access to campus resources is blocked.

With 15,000+ individually managed devices, the resident network has the potential to be a security risk. Student access is encrypted and protected by a Network Access Control system (also known as SafeConnect) just like the resident wired network. Network Access Control ensures that all resident devices are identified and are reasonably secure prior to granting the computer full access to the network. Network Access Control checks for things like updated operating systems, secure configuration, and effective antivirus software. Access to the network is limited to students with valid Network Accounts.

The Internet connection is protected with a firewall and Intrusion Protection System (IPS). The firewall permits virtually all outbound connections and restricts direct inbound connections to a select number of special servers.

Employee access is encrypted and available on college owned devices.

At Merrimack College, each student on our network can expect to utilize a 4Mbps connection. The number of devices connecting to a single wireless access point may affect your connection speed.

We recommend downloading materials for class ahead of time to avoid potential network bottlenecks.

Download speeds are affected by many things, including the number of connections utilizing a single wireless access point, distance to the closest wireless access point, time of day, congestion external to the college, etc. The chart below was pulled together from various sources and estimates download speeds using a 4Mbps connection based on different file sizes under the best circumstances (one user connecting to an access point with no network traffic). Actual download speeds will vary significantly based on the factors just mentioned above.

Source: https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/broadband_download_times/

Source: http://www.thinkbroadband.com/download/

The college maintains a wireless network composed of more than 800 wireless access points. All campus buildings including dormitories have wireless service. Major outdoor quadrangle areas have limited service as well.

No. Wireless routers and access points are notorious troublemakers on a large network and are strictly prohibited. If you find a wireless dead spot on campus please report it to the IT Help Desk.

Please DO NOT BRING a wireless printer to campus. Like wireless routers and access points, wireless printers are prone to interfere with the campus network and are strictly prohibited.