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Wireless Networking

There are two wireless networks available at VIU: S-WISP (Secure WISP) and WISP . WISP is an open network, while S-WISP is secure: data transmitted over S-WISP are encrypted, meaning they cannot be deciphered by others on the network. This is very important if you use wireless networking for confidential transactions such as accessing your student record, online banking, and online shopping by credit card. S-WISP is also a faster network than WISP. S-WISP is the recommended method of wireless networking on Nanaimo campus.

WISP is available at the Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses. S-WISP is available at the Nanaimo campus only. More information on WISP at Cowichan.

To access S-WISP or WISP, you must be a currently enrolled student with a Discovery account, or an employee with a Capitan account.

Please note that S-WISP and WISP are not designed to allow direct login to the campus network.  You need to be logged in locally (to your laptop) before using S-WISP or WISP. 

Wireless is available in the following buildings:

  • 2 - 11 (Student Residence)
  • 100 (Office) All
  • 180 (ASTEC) - All floors
  • 185 (East Cafeteria)
  • 190 (Gymnasium) - Room 101 (and surrounding area)
  • 200 (Student Services) - Rooms 105, 106, 107, 203 (theatre), 237 & 238 (and surrounding area)
  • 205 (Career & Academic Preparstion) - all floors (low signals 1st floor N-end)
  • 250 (Faculty of Management Centre)
  • 255 (International) - 1st floor and Room 248 (and surrounding area)
  • 300 (Bakery/Cafeteria) - 1st floor (Offices) and 3rd floor (Cafeteria)
  • 305 (Library & Malaspina Commons) Floors 1, 3 - 5
  • 310 (Drama & Theatre) - 1st Floor
  • 315 (Physics) - All floors
  • 320 (Music) - 2nd Floor
  • 325 (Art and Design) - All floors
  • 335 (Offices) - does not include Child Care
  • 340 (Arts & Humanities) - 1st Floor
  • 345 (English) - All floors
  • 355 (Arts & Sciences)
  • 356 (Education/Social Sciences) - Room 111, the north end of the 2nd and 3rd floors, and the Atrium
  • 360 (Math/Chemistry) - 2nd floor & 3rd floor Study (and surrounding area)
  • 370 (Environmental Sciences) - All floors
  • 373 (Centre for Shellfish Research) - 2nd floor limited coverage
  • 375 (Hatchery/Tank Farm)
  • 380 (Fisheries and Aquaculture P.I.A.F.)
  • 400 (Horticulture Training Centre) Classroom/Office area S-WISP not available

S-WISP only is available at:

  • Parskville-Qualicum campus
  • Powell River campus - Main Building only
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