Next Generation Project Description

Increased coverage and density of our campus wireless network within campus buildings, the core campus outside areas and Spartan Stadium. Once completed, use of the wireless network should be ubiquitous across all of campus, allowing connections to continue building to building and in all outdoor areas.

Project Status

March 2013 Tech Briefing

The goal of this project is to increase the coverage and capacity of the campus wireless network to make wireless wherever a reality. It involves the conversion of the current wireless network to Cisco technology and installing nearly 4 times the number of wireless access points (WAP) that are currently deployed. A WAP is the receiver that communicates with the wireless transmitters in mobile devices like laptops, tablets and smartphones to provide network connectivity to campus and internet resources.

The first step in the process was to complete wireless coverage assessments in 42 campus buildings on the main campus, south campus and remote locations such as Moss Landing Marine Labs, 210 4th Street, and Reed Hillview Aviation. Engineering teams performed wireless radio measurements in each room of each building and used the results to determine the optimal location for wireless access points to be placed. The assessment process provided the design for the new wireless network and we have been installing network cabling to the new WAP locations. Work on this phase of the process will continue through Spring.

The next step, which is in the testing phase, is to enable the Cisco core wireless network technology to communicate to the WAPS and authenticate users for controlled access. Once this is completed, we can begin the conversion to the new wireless network which is scheduled for later this Spring. Because the conversion will involve outages, the work will be scheduled during off-hours, on a building-by building basis in coordination with building occupants.

For more details, read the March 2013 Administration and Finance Division Newsletter.

October 2012 Tech Briefing

IT Services is expanding wireless network coverage in our campus buildings. Based on designs for the optimal number and placement of wireless access points, we will be replacing and installing new devices in various offices, hallways, classrooms and labs across campus.

The new Cisco Wireless Access Points will be connecting to our next generation SJSU network with enhanced performance, security and monitoring capabilities. A mixture of staff from the Network Services team and our vendor partner Nexus IS, are performing this work and building coordinators will be notified of the schedule.

You will continue to have access to our SJSU wireless networks, SJSU_Premier and SJSU_campus. When connecting to SJSU_Premier, you may be prompted to accept a security certificate from the wireless control system and should do so. Instructions on wireless access are available at Wireless Network.