Wireless Networks

This page explains the wireless network polices of ITS. The wireless network is monitored to report unauthorized access points and wireless routers, so be sure to read this section carefully to understand what is, and what is not, permitted.

Students are not permitted to setup or use their own wireless networks*. This is due to limited wireless spectrum on 2.4GHz & 5 GHz frequencies used for Wi-Fi.

The access points installed by RIT communicate with each other through a central server so they actively avoid interfering with each other. This is required because there are over 3,500 access points across campus that need to be able to communicate to provide a seamless client connection across access points. When other access points transmit at the same time, it disrupts the ability of the RIT access points to coordinate with each other and degrades network performance for every user in the area. The design and placement of the access points ensure seamless coverage across campus.

Students located in the Residents Halls, Perkins, Colony Manor, Global Village, RIT Inn, Riverknoll, and University Commons are covered by RIT’s wireless network and cannot setup wireless routers, access points, and AD-HOC networks. Students can use the router features on their device with the wireless disabled and properly registered on the RIT network.

RIT ITS provides guest wireless access for visitors of the RIT campus.

*Students, faculty and staff members of RIT should connect to the wireless networks RIT (preferred) or RIT-Legacy (for devices that cannot support WPA2) for full access to all of RIT network resources.

How to connect to RIT Guest Network

1. Connect your device to RIT-Guest.
2. Open your web browser on your device.
3. Enter your 10 digit mobile phone number*.
4. Click on “I agree to RIT Terms.”
5. Enter your 4-digit pin on the web portal.
6. Click Validate Pin.
7. You will be connected to the RIT wireless network and will have access to the internet.
8. After 24 hours of use, you will have to re-agree to RIT’s Terms & Conditions.

*Standard messaging & data rates apply. RIT is not responsible for any mobile carrier charges.

ITS Resnet does not support or troubleshoot connecting wireless printers to the wireless network. Students who wish to setup wireless printers on our network should understand the risks associated with doing so, and understand how their devices work prior to setup.

It is important to note that most wireless-enabled printers create their own local wireless networks and act as their own wireless router. This behavior is often seen with AirPrint functionality. Realize that this activity is the same as having a wireless router setup in your room and is prohibited. If your printer creates its own wireless network, please disable it compliant to the wireless access point policy.

Devices connected to the RIT Network have public IP address, because of this wireless printers and devices are subjected to outside network activity. Students who setup a wireless printer should understand that anyone can print to it unless proper security settings are enabled. Resnet recommends that printers be setup with a USB cable and not with a wireless connection.

Most printers do not support enterprise encryption for wireless networks. Printers will have to be manually registered on start.rit.edu and connected to the “RIT Legacy” unsecured network. When setting up the printer, you will need to setup a hostname on https://start.rit.edu to print to as the printers IP will change. Printers should not be setup for ad-hoc network printing.