CSUSM has a very robust wireless network. Almost from its inception, Cal State San Marcos has had wireless access. Today students, faculty, and staff can log-in from almost anywhere on campus to check email, browse the web, check their class schedule, or find what hours the library is open.
Never settling for “good enough,” we are once again upgrading our wireless equipment. Our goal is a speed minimum of 36 Megabits per second (that’s 24 times the speed of DSL) in all indoor spaces. Outdoor wireless is also available throughout campus with few exceptions.
As a member of the CSUSM community you can connect to the wireless network using your campus username and password. All non CSUSM community users need to use the Guest access. Guests will need to login using their email address in the yellow guest box. There is no cost to connect to the wireless network. In order to connect please review the information provided on this site.
Setup and Requirements
Before attempting to configure your wireless card for the wireless network, make sure you follow the installation instructions that came with your wireless card, so that it is properly installed and functioning on your laptop. Faculty and Staff will need to contact the Faculty and Staff Help Desk at x4790 to get setup with campus administrative resources.
The CSUSM wireless network does not currently support data encryption (WEP) or authenticated sessions. User authentication will be added in the coming months and instructions will be added to this site.
Select your operating system from the list below for detailed instructions for configuring your laptop.
Windows XP: The SSID for CSUSM is broadcasted. This means that if your laptop is configured properly, that it will detect and connect automatically to the wireless network.
Windows Vista: The SSID for CSUSM is broadcasted. This means that if your laptop is configured properly, that it will detect and connect automatically to the wireless network.
Mac OS 10.4: The SSID for CSUSM is broadcasted. This means that if your laptop is configured properly, that it will detect and connect automatically to the wireless network.
1. You will need to go to System Preferences.
2. Click on Network.
3. Click on the Show box, and click on Network Status.
4. Click on AirPort and click the Connect button.
5. Click Turn AirPort On.**Other operating systems, such as Linux or Windows 95/98/NT/ME, may work with the wireless network, but they are not supported by the university.
Students - If you have any questions or problems, please contact the Student Technology Help Desk at x6505 for assistance.
Faculty and Staff - If you have any questions or problems, please contact the Faculty and Staff Help Desk at x4790 for assistance.
Authenticating to the CSUSM Network
Important: You must authenticate on the campus network each time you start your computer and after 30 minutes of inactivity. No network applications (instant-messaging, games, mail programs, etc.) will function until you authenticate your connection via a web browser.
If you wish to use CSUSM’s wireless network you first have to log in to the network using your username and password (the same ones you use to check your email).
To authenticate on the network, follow these simple steps:
Turn on your computer and launch your web browser. Your web browser will automatically be redirected to the Wireless Network Login page.
At the Wireless Network Login page, enter your username and password in the appropriate fields (blue area) and click Log In. If you are a Guest user, please enter your email address in the Guest box (yellow area) and click Log In.
If your username or password is not entered correctly, the page will reload and you will need to enter your information again. Re-enter your username and password and click OK.
If your username and password are correct, your computer will be assigned an IP address and you will be able to browse the World Wide Web, use telnet and FTP applications, as well as instant-messaging programs. Peer-to-peer filesharing programs (Kazaa, Gnutella, etc.) will not work on the CSUSM network from any location.
Once authenticated, your network session will stay open while you’re using the network. Your session will automatically close if your network connection is idle for more than 30 minutes. To restart your session, click the Refresh or Go button on your web browser and you will be returned to the CSUSM Network Login page. Follow the steps above to re-authenticate.
Students, Alumni, and Guests please contact the Student Technology Helpdesk, if you are still having difficulty authenticating on the network.
Faculty and Staff please contact the Faculty & Staff Helpdesk, if you are still having difficulty authenticating on the network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CSUSM wireless network?
The CSUSM wireless network is a wireless campus network that allows mobile users access to network resources from many campus locations without the need of a wired connection.What kind of wireless card should I buy?
Currently, use of the CSUSM wireless network requires a wireless card that is IEEE 802.11b (11 MB) or IEEE 802.11g (54 MB) compliant. For a listing of certified card providers please visit the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance Web site's list of certified products. Our campus recommends the IEE802.11g (54 MB) for future bandwidth.What about 802.11a wireless cards?
The CSUSM wireless network utilizes 802.11b/g access points that do not support 802.11a. Several vendors offer wireless cards that support both 802.11a and 802.11b. Those cards will work on the CSUSM wireless network. The campus will upgrade the wireless network to newer standards as they become more standardized and cost-effective.What kind of connection/speeds will I be getting with the wireless network?
802.11b wireless provides connection speed of about 11 megabits/per second. By comparison, campus wired connection points connect at 100 megabits/second, typical cable modems connect at 0.2-1.0 megabits/second, and standard dialup connects at around 0.05 megabits/second.How do I connect to the wireless network?
The full instructions can be found on Setup and Requirements.How do I connect to my H:\ or my Outlook?
Students will need to contact the Student Technology Helpdesk for additional setup.
Faculty and Staff will need to contact the Faculty & Staff Helpdesk for additional setup.Do I need any software to use the wireless network?
Other than the drivers that may have come with your wireless card , you do not need any additional software to connect to the CSUSM wireless network. In the future, the wireless network may support encryption or other security mechanisms that may require additional software to use. These pages will be updated to reflect any coming changes.What operating systems does the wireless support?
The CSUSM wireless network currently supports Windows 2000, and XP, as well as Macintosh OS 9 and OS 10. Other operating systems, such as Linux or Windows 95/98/NT/ME, may work with the wireless network, but they are not supported by the university.If a building is listed as offering wireless network access, does that mean it covers the entire building?
Not necessarily. Wireless networks operate in a manner similar to cellular telephone service in that you may occasionally find dead spots in covered areas. These are usually caused by electronic interference or physical signal blockers such as large metal appliances or steel building infrastructure. Also, our current deployment is concentrating on classroom areas, so other areas might not fall within the range of the access points in any given location. As demand for wireless connectivity grows, the CSUSM wireless network will be expanded to cover new areas and to better cover existing locations.
