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ResNet Cable Plant Infrastructure

How Internet is Delivered to Your Room

Wireless Residential Network

ResWiFi is a free encrypted wireless service for UCSC residential facilities. Students and staff members may connect using their UCSC email and Gold password. Guest access is not available on ResWiFi. Unless otherwise noted, the wireless SSIDs offered are ResWiFi, ResWiFi-Devices, and UCSC-Guest.

In supported locations, university-owned wireless access points (APs) transmit the ResWiFi and ResWiFi-Devices SSIDs on the 5GHz band. Limited 2.4GHz coverage may be offered as a supplement. Depending on the location, APs are found in student bedrooms, lounges, hallways, and residential common spaces. Traffic is routed through the campus network core and served by a dedicated fiber-optic link.

In augmented buildings, the wired residential network is the primary service, and wireless access is provided as a supplemental service in hallways and lounges. Students are discouraged from relying on the supplemental wireless service for primary usage.

Due to security concerns, multicast protocols such as mDNS and Bonjour are limited. This means some Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as voice assistants, smart bulbs, and casting receivers, may not operate as intended. Furthermore, 2.4GHz-only devices are not supported.

Students may not connect wireless printers to any campus wireless network. Students are encouraged to connect to their printer via a USB cable.

Client devices must adhere to the IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11ax standards on FCC-authorized frequencies. Failure to follow these standards is often a sign of outdated/corrupted drivers, incorrect country code configuration, or malware. Students and staff should contact ResNet if they have concerns about their device’s compatibility with the network. Per University policies, malfunctioning client devices may be disassociated or blocked if they impact network service delivery.

The residential network is available 24/7. If the system requires maintenance, downtime will be conducted Monday - Sunday, 3:00 AM - 7:00 AM, unless otherwise arranged with ResNet and Housing.

ResWiFi (SSID)

The ResWiFi SSID offers connectivity to 802.1X enterprise-capable devices. In general, this includes computers, smartphones, and tablets. Devices should connect using the SecureW2 JoinNow onboarding tool or manually using the details:

  • Network Name (SSID): ResWiFi
  • Security: WPA2/3-Enterprise / 802.1X EAP
  • EAP method: PEAP
  • Identity (username): user’s UCSC email (cruzid@ucsc.edu)
  • Password: user’s Gold password
  • CA certificate: ca.crt
  • Domain: ucsc.edu
  • Phase 2 (inner) authentication: MSCHAPV2
  • Anonymous identity: leave blank
  • MAC address randomization: disabled (recommended)

ResWiFi-Devices (SSID)

The ResWiFi-Devices SSID serves all other devices lacking 802.1X support. A campus affiliate must sponsor the device using its MAC address in the ResWiFi Devices Portal. Upon enrollment, an identity pre-shared-key (iPSK) is provided for association. Enrollments are granted for two years but may be extended by the sponsor. Once enrolled, devices may connect using the details:

  • Network Name (SSID): ResWiFi-Devices
  • Security: WPA2-PSK (WPA2 Personal)
  • Password (PSK): provided by ResWiFi Devices Portal
  • MAC address randomization: disabled (recommended)

Wired Residential Network

ResNet delivers wired service to residential spaces at 100Mbps via an Ethernet jack in select residential buildings. Students may connect computers or wireless routers with an Ethernet cable.

Students may connect more than one wired device using an Ethernet switch. To reduce wireless congestion, students are asked only to use one wireless router per room. Cable modem/router combos and mesh routers are not supported. Devices connected directly to the port or indirectly via a wireless router do not need to be enrolled. 

Personally-owned wireless routers should be configured as follows:

  • Network Name (SSID): student’s choice*
  • Password: WPA2-Personal (or WPA3-Personal) password required
  • Band: 2.4GHz/5GHz dual-band or 5GHz-only (optional)
  • Channel(s): let the router choose the optimal channel(s)
  • DHCP server: enabled
  • Connection type: Automatic (DHCP)
  • NAT: enabled

* must adhere to the ResNet Responsible Use Policy.

Camper Park

The Camper Park connects via a wireless mesh system installed on the roof of University-owned campers. Students connect to ResWiFi using a wireless access point (AP) inside the trailer.

University Town Center

The UTC receives wired residential network access via a link between local internet service providers and the campus. Limited service for eduroam and UCSC-Guest is available.

Family Student Housing

Family Student Housing receives wireless residential network (ResWiFi) service. There is no service for ResWiFi-Devices. Instead, FSH residents should connect their non-802.1X capable devices to FSH-Family. The FSH-Family SSID may also be used by non-affiliates (including but not limited to partners, children, and other adult occupants) without CruzID Gold credentials. Unlike ResWiFi, FSH-Family is not encrypted and may not be able to access some University resources. To connect to FSH-Family:

  • Network Name (SSID): FSH-Family
  • Security: WPA2-PSK (WPA2 Personal)
  • Password (PSK): SlugFamily
  • MAC address randomization: disabled (recommended)

Cellular Networks

The major cellular companies deliver service to the campus. Signal strength is dependent upon your adjacency to a micro-cell tower. These micro-cell towers are found on the roofs of several campus buildings. There is no guarantee of cellular service. For coverage, see the Cellular Coverage Map.

Residential Network Guarantees of Service

  • Wired speeds are capped at 100Mbps per jack. One jack per room is activated in supported buildings.
  • Wireless (ResWiFi) service quality depends on environmental conditions and client device hardware. University wireless access points periodically adjust to provide the optimal signal. Reducing interference from neighboring appliances (Bluetooth, microwaves, monitors, speakers, LED lighting, etc.) can improve connection quality.
  • ITS and Housing will require students to turn off personally-owned WiFi clients and routers per ResNet Responsible Use Policy if it impacts the predictable delivery of service.
  • ResNet makes no guarantee that personally-owned WiFi devices will work with the residential network. ResNet will try its best to configure your device to our standard configuration.
  • Cellular service is not available in all areas.
  • ResWiFi and UCSC-Guest wireless services are not available in all areas of the campus. ResNet provides no support for the eduroam service.
  • Some gaming consoles, IoT devices, media players, and voice assistants may work. Each individual is limited to enrolling ten devices to ensure predictable service for the shared residential network service.