Page Content

Wireless networking at Sac State

Students, faculty, and staff can connect their laptop computers, PDA's and other 802.11 enabled devices to the wireless network in a number of locations around campus. We are currently expanding our coverage areas and increasing the capacity of our wireless network. Plus we are starting to roll out 802.11A for our higher usage density areas, and piloting 802.11N in some key areas.

Full access to the network is limited to students, faculty, and staff. A valid Saclink account is required in order to connect to the network. We also offer open guest access to the internet with web only and restricted bandwidth.

Four levels of access are currently provided: Open access with captive portal authentication requiring a SacLink account, VPN, WPA2 (SaclinkSecure), and non-authenticated limited bandwidth access ( HTTP/HTTPS only).

The open access SSID: 'SacLink' is unsecured and only provides access to the internet. VPN is secure, but requires the installation of a local client, and our newest and preferred method is using WPA2 with the SSID: 'SacLinkSecure'. This provides a superior secured connection to the campus network and the internet. (For Windows XP users, make sure to download the latest patches for Windows and your wireless network card drivers for WPA2.

Non-authenticated limited bandwidth access: If you are not eligible for a SacLink Account, you can use your email address to get access, which is limited only to web services at a reduced bandwidth rate. Acces to secure Sac State services will not be available using this method.

Setup and support for wireless access is provided by the IRT Help Desk.

---

Wireless FAQs

1. What is Wireless networking?
2. How do I access the campus wireless network?
3. How do I access the campus wireless network using WPA2?
4. What hardware do I need?
5. What software do I need?
6. Where on campus can I access the wireless network?
7. What is an SSID?
8. Where do I go for help if I'm having trouble?

---

What is wireless networking?

Wireless networking, sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), is a standard networking technology available to mobile devices such as laptops, hand-held PDAs, and certain mobile phones. Sacramento State provides wireless networking to students, faculty, or staff members with a valid SacLink account.

---

How do I access the campus wireless network?

To access the Internet via the campus wireless network, you will need:

1. A valid SacLink account
2. A wireless network card
3. A Web browser (if not using WPA2 or VPN)
4. Access to a Sac State Wireless Zone

---

How do I access the campus wireless network using WPA2?

This network is recommended for all students and faculty. It uses the most recent wireless standards, WPA2/AES along with Protected EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol), a method to securely transmit passwords.

We are currenty in the testing stages on a program that will automatically configure your laptop for SacLinkSecure. 

Basic settings for WPA2:

Connection type : WPA2 Enterprise

SSID: SacLinkSecure (case sensitive)

Encription: AES

EAP: PEAP

Login using your SacLink account and password.

Here are the OS specific Instructions for CSUS Wireless Networks:

XP / Vista / Windows 7 / OSX / iPhone

---

What hardware do I need?

The Sac State wireless network conforms to the 802.11B/G wireless networking standards. For this reason, you need a wireless card that also complies with these standards. 802.11B/G cards are available for laptops and palm-sized PDAs, and connect to your mobile device through a PC Card (PCMCIA) slot, USB port, or Compact Flash slot. An increasing number of new laptops and PDAs come with built in 802.11A-compliant wireless cards and we support 802.11A in some of our higher density areas. We are also working to provide 802.11N access in our higher density areas. These locations will be listed as we advance our deployment.

back to top

---

What software do I need?

A driver appropriate to your wireless card and operating system will need to be installed and configured correctly for you to connect to the Sac State wireless network. You will also need a Web browser to login to the network using your SacLink ID if you only use the web based authentication provided by SacLink.

---

Where on campus can I access the wireless network?

Connectivity to the Sac State wireless network is only available if you are within a campus Wireless Zone. A Wireless Zone is defined as an area covered by one or more Wireless Access Points. Signal strength and connections speeds are dependent upon your proximity to the nearest Wireless Access Point and the materials used in the construction of the building you are in or near. See the wireless locations page for a complete list of campus Wireless Zones.

---

What is an SSID?

A Service Set Identifier (SSID, or sometimes ESSID) is the "network name" of a Wireless network. Sac State Wireless Zones provide the SSID's SacLink and SacLinkSecure*. Most wireless clients will connect to this SSID automatically. However, some wireless clients and/or configurations need to have the SSID added manually. Please see the documentation included with your wireless card for more information.

* Try to avoid connecting to other SSID's you may find. These may be peer to peer connections or rogue access points, which are not allowed on campus and may jeopardize your security if you connect to them.

---

Where do I go for help if I'm having trouble?

If you're having trouble connecting to the wireless network, please contact the Service Desk in ARC 2005, 916-278-7337, or servicedesk@csus.edu.