Wi-Fi FAQ
The existing Cisco campus wireless network has been completely replaced during the summer of 2018. The new Aruba wireless network has improved coverage in most locations, supports the latest Wi-Fi standard (802.11ac Wave 2), and provides an improved experience for gaming and streaming devices. This change also comes with higher bandwidth ceilings, and eliminates device registration requirements on the ACWLAN network.
The existing ACWLAN and ACGuest wireless networks have been transferred to the new Aruba system. A new wireless network, ACRegistered, has been added for consumer devices that cannot connect to ACWLAN and had to be connected to ACGuest in the past (e.g. gaming consoles, streaming devices).
Wireless Networks (SSIDs)
ACWLAN - Secure network (WPA2-Enterprise), No bandwidth cap, Requires Alma network ID and password.
In most cases, devices that used the old network ACWLAN will connect to the new system without any user action. See the Known Technical Issues section below for solutions to common problems connecting existing devices to ACWLAN.
ACGuest - Unencrypted, 3Mbps bandwidth cap, No Alma credentials required, Basic registration required every 24 hours.
Devices will typically receive a popup browser presenting a registration page when connecting to ACGuest once every 24 hours. Older operating systems not able to automatically open a browser will present the registration portal page the first time a browser is launched after connecting to ACGuest.
ACRegistered - Unencrypted, No bandwidth cap, Device registration required.
This network was added to support consumer devices that do not support WPA2-Enterprise security (game consoles, streaming devices). Devices need to be registered in ClearPass to connect to this network. Please see the Wireless Device Registration Guide for more information on connecting to ACRegistered..
Known Technical Issues
Apple iOS Devices
The first time iPads and iPhones connect to ACWLAN they will present a message asking you to “Trust” a security certificate for “clearpass.alma.edu”. You need to select “Trust” to connect.
iOS devices that previously connected to ACWLAN but are now unable to connect may need to “Forget” an existing ACWLAN network. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Apple iMacs and Macbooks
Apple iMacs and Macbooks that previously connected to ACWLAN but are now unable to connect may need to “Forget” an existing ACWLAN connection. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Some iMacs and Macbooks require a network profile update to connect to ACWLAN. Users of these devices will be contacted by ITS to have new the profile installed.
Some users may be presented a messaged asking them to “Trust” a security certificate for “clearpass.alma.edu” when connecting to ACWLAN for the first time. Select “Trust” to connect.
Android Devices
Android devices that previously connected to ACWLAN but are now unable to connect may need to “Forget” an existing ACWLAN network. Newer versions of the Android operating system have a slightly more involved process for connecting to ACWLAN. Click here for a step-by-step guide to connecting Android devices to ACWLAN.
Windows Devices
Windows devices that previously connected to ACWLAN but are now unable to connect may need to remove an existing ACWLAN wireless network configuration. Step-by-step instructions are available for Windows 7 and Windows 8/10.
When connecting to ACGuest, computers running Windows 7 and older will not automatically pop-up the guest registration page. Users must manually open a web browser first, and then they will be redirected to the guest registration page.
Apple TVs
Apple TVs that had been configured to connect to ACWLAN in the past must now be registered in ClearPass and connected to the ACRegistered wireless network. The existing ACWLAN wireless configuration profile must also be removed from these Apple TVs. Step-by-step instructions are available here.
