Campus Wireless Overview


Overview


Find out about UC San Diego's campus wireless data network.

Faculty, Staff, and Students: UCSD-PROTECTED


You can access UCSD's wireless data network in most buildings and many outdoor locations on campus and at SIO. UCSD Medical Center also offers a wireless service to its staff. Wireless networking encrypted with Wi-Fi Protected Access-Enterprise (WPA2-E) technology is required for faculty, staff, and students. This service requires an Active Directory (AD) username and password.

Encrypted wireless connections make it more difficult for others to "listen in" on your wireless conversation. The service cannot encrypt your data through all the paths it travels, but it does offer a more secure connection. 

To configure your laptop or phone for encrypted wireless, select your operating system or product:

 

To configure PDAs and other devices (including cameras, temperature sensors, etc.), try the encrypted wireless instructions above first if your device uses one of the operating systems listed.

If your device does not use the above operating systems, but has WPA-E or WPA2-E capabilities, try to access the "UCSD-PROTECTED" network using your Active Directory (AD) username and password and the instructions that came with your device.

If device cannot use WPA2-E:

  1. Make certain your device can't use WPA2-E. Requests will be refused for devices that have WPA2-E capabilities. Devices that often qualify include digital cameras, signs, Nintendos/Sony Playstations, and printers. Devices that often do not qualify include iPhones, Android phones, and most Mac and Windows computers — use the instructions above to access UCSD-PROTECTED or call the IT Services Help Desk.
  2. Make certain that your device can use WPA2-PSK (also called WPA2-Personal). If it cannot, it is likely that we cannot support it on the campus wireless network.
  3. Note for Chromecast users: unfortunately, these technologies will not behave as expected on the campus network (they are designed for home, not enterprise, networks) and are not technologies that we can support on the campus wireless network at this time.
  4. Complete a registration form with the UCSD hostmaster. Make sure to check this box: My device is UNABLE to use WPA-E/802.1x.
  5. Answer the followup questions you will be sent. If your device qualifies, you will receive an e-mail confirmation from the UCSD hostmaster. You will then be authorized to use the "UCSD-DEVICE" wireless network with the special PSK key you will be sent. Do not share the key with others. The key will only work for approved, registered machines.

Guests: eduroam and UCSD-GUEST


UCSD provides two wireless networks for campus guests. If your home institution is eduroam-enabled, you may use the eduroam network. If it is not, or you are not certain, you may use UCSD-GUEST. Read instructions for connecting to the guest networks.

UCSD Personnel Traveling: eduroam


 If you are a UCSD faculty member, staff member or student, and you have a UCSD Active Directory username and password, you can use them to connect to wireless at eduroam-enabled institutions. Note: you must add @ucsd.edu to your Active Directory username when using eduroam. Access the eduroam-US Web site for more information about eduroam and to see maps of eduroam member institutions.

To prepare for eduroam use while travelling, you must first, while at UCSD, select the eduroam SSID and follow the instructions for UCSD-PROTECTED for your operating system, substituting eduroam whenever the UCSD-PROTECTED SSID is specified and adding @ucsd.edu to your Active Directory username when configuring the service. Make sure that your service works while on campus.

Once you have done this, if you can see the eduroam wireless network when you are visiting another institution, select eduroam. When prompted, enter your UCSD AD username and @ucsd.edu — e.g. gbluefin@ucsd.edu — and your UCSD AD password to connect.

Test eduroam by connecting to the local eduroam network before you leave. Enter your UCSD AD username and @ucsd.edu — e.g. gbluefin@ucsd.edu — and your UCSD AD password to connect. 

If you still have questions or need additional assistance, please submit a ticket or call the ITS Service Desk at (858) 246-4357