Network & Internet Access

Connecting to the Internet

What you use to connect to the internet at William & Mary depends on where you live.

On campus

The Law School building and William & Mary campus housing (including the nearby "GradPlex" housing) are connected to the College-wide network that provides high speed or "broadband" Internet access. On-campus network access is provided to students at no charge.

Off campus

To access the Internet from off-campus, you make arrangements with a commercial Internet Service Provider. The Williamsburg area generally is served by Cox cable company, which can also provide broadband Internet access. Some areas can also use DSL access arranged through Verizon.

For Laptop Users

The Law Library has several carrels and study rooms equipped with electrical outlets and network connections to the Internet. Most of the building, including the library, classrooms, and lobby, provides wireless network access (using the "WiFi" or 802-11b/g standard). More information appears just below.

Nearly all classrooms contain enough electrical outlets to accommodate all students taking notes with laptop computers.
 

Wireless network

Wireless network "access points" are located in the Law School library, the lobby, our major classrooms, and the McGlothlin Courtroom. These all use the "802.11b/g" or "WiFi" standard, and can work with most wireless network PC cards that meet that standard.

PC laptops

Nearly all laptops today come with WiFi access capability built in. If yours doesn't, you can buy an wireless access card for around $25 - $50.

Mac laptops

The Law School does not support Macintosh computers for wireless networking, but most law students report that their Macintosh laptops with WiFi technology (which Apple calls "Airport") work fine with the Law School's wireless system.

The campus wireless network requires users to login periodically in order to retain their access permission. When it's time for you to do that, you'll know: a message will ask you to login and you won't have Internet access until you do. Your William & Mary account ID and password are all that you need for the login.

More information is available from the campus Information Technology department's web page that describes the W&M wireless network at http://www.wm.edu/it/index.php?id=1498 (new window).