System Requirements To Join The Wireless Networks at UCCS

The following minimum device operating systems are supported on all of our wireless networks. While we try our best to keep this list up to date, if you have any questions about supported operating systems please contact the IT Service Desk.

Note: this list is largely based on whether the vendors are currently offering support and security updates for the various operating systems. If your device falls below these recommended versions, we highly suggest upgrading your operating system and/or device.

• Windows
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11
• macOS
  • 12+ (Note: Apple is currently only supporting security updates for versions 12 [Monterey], 13 [Ventura], and 14 [Sonoma])
• iOS/iPadOS
  • 15.8+ [iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation]
• Android
  • 12+
• ChromeOS (chromebooks)
  • Any version not EOL (End-of-Life) or has not reached AUE (Auto Update Expiration)*

Linux flavored operating systems, and other OS's, while not officially supported, are often compatible and will connect to our wireless networks. They must meet the other system requirements detailed below, such as: wireless adapter types, authentication and encryption methods, etc.

*For more information and to find out if your chromebook's updates have not expired, see the following support article: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en

Wireless Adapter Information 
The wireless adapter on your device must comply with IEEE 802.11 standards. The following standards are supported on all of our wireless networks:

• 802.11ax (also branded as WiFi-6 & WiFi-6E)
  • WiFi-6 support is currently available in multiple campus buildings (AEC, CYBR, HYBL and others) as well as all of housing. Expanded support is coming as we perform AP upgrades.
  • WiFi-6E is currently being tested by the wireless team. It is not currently available anywhere on campus.
• 802.11ac (also branded as WiFi-5)
  • includes both wave1 and wave2 chips and adapters
• 802.11n
• 802.11g
• 802.11a
• 802.11b

* Remodel or new construction projects will typically have the latest model APs installed, which now include 802.11ax capable APs. We also upgrade existing APs on campus when they become end-of-life and/or end-of-support. 802.11ax capability and coverage will slowly increase across campus over the next few years.

Note that bridging or binding adapters is not supported.

Wireless Adapter Suggestions 
For a list of suggested wireless adapters, please visit our Service Desk Knowledgebase article. This can be useful if you need to add or upgrade the wireless adapter of your device.

The following requirements apply if connecting to the eduroam or UCCS-Wireless networks. These do not apply if connecting to the UCCS-Guest network, which is an open and unsecure network. We highly recommend utilizing the eduroam or UCCS-Wireless networks as they are secure and encrypted. Most consumer devices (for example, laptops and iPhones) come with these standards already implemented in the device's software.

Authentication

Your device must support the following protocols and frameworks:

• WPA2-Enterprise
• MSCHAPv2
• PEAP

Encryption

Your device must support the following encryption method:

• AES

The following requirements apply if connecting to the eduroam or UCCS-Wireless networks. These do not apply if connecting to the UCCS-Guest network, which is an open and unsecure network. We highly recommend utilizing the eduroam or UCCS-Wireless networks as they are secure and encrypted.

Trusting our server certificates

When you connect to the network for the first time on a device, you may be prompted to trust our server's security certificate. This helps ensure you are connecting to legitimate UCCS servers, and not fake/imposter networks. To be sure you are connecting to a legitimate UCCS server, the security certificate presented to your device has a unique fingerprint you can verify to be sure it is our server. For detailed information on the fingerprints and how to check these, visit our Information about Wireless Certificates page.

The following bullets detail other requirements in order to join and utilize the wireless networks at UCCS...

• Personal routers and other NAT devices are prohibited on campus. Your device should be directly connected to the UCCS network.
• Your device should be setup for DHCP and not a static IP address (DHCP is usually enabled by default on most devices).
• Binding/bridging wireless adapters is not supported.
• Any peer-to-peer sharing (BitTorrent, Vuze, etc...) must be conducted in a legal manor and not in violation of the DMCA.

While we cannot officially support every device available on the market, we will try our best to offer support. We try to support all leading vendors and manufacturers of hardware, software, operating systems, wireless cards, etc. If you ever have issues connecting to the wireless network here at UCCS, please contact our Service Desk.

Issue: Your device is not capable of 802.11x authentication. 
Workaround: Connect to the UCCS-Guest wireless network. Although this is an unsecure network, it will provide you with an internet connection.

Issue: You do not have a UCCS username and password. 
Workaround: Connect to the UCCS-Guest wireless network to be presented guest access options.