Using the Wireless Network

CNM’s wireless network is a shared resource and a service for students, faculty, and staff.

About CNM's Wireless Network

The primary purpose of the network is to support access to CNM educational resources. We discourage users from running any non-educational high bandwidth service on the wireless network.

Limitations and Disclaimers

Wireless access is provided to CNM authorized users on an "as is" basis with no guarantee and no warranty.
Information passing through CNM’s wireless access is not secured and could be monitored, captured, or altered by others.
It is your sole responsibility to protect your information from all risks associated with using the Internet, including any damage, loss, or theft that may occur as a result of your use of CNM’s wireless network.
CNM assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment; users must keep their equipment with them at all times.
By using CNM’s wireless access, you agree and hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless, CNM, its officers and employees, and any affiliate, from any damage that may result from your use of this wireless access.
Users of CNM’s wireless network are bound by the CNM Information Technology Use Policy

Confidentiality Disclaimer

CNM offers students, staff, and faculty wireless network access to the Internet. You should be aware that under this arrangement, your interaction over the wireless network is not encrypted and should not be considered secure.

Acceptable Use
Anyone who chooses to use CNM’s wireless network is bound by the CNM Information Technology Use Policy

Wireless Reliability and Performance

You should be aware that 802.11 wireless networking does not provide the same reliability and performance as a wired Ethernet service. In particular, natural and human-made obstructions block or limit wireless signals. Interference from other devices that use the same frequency range can interfere with CNM’s wireless network. These may include electrical appliances such as microwave ovens, wireless keyboards and mice, and some cellular phones.

CNM’s wireless network connection is slower when compared to a CNM hard-wired Ethernet connection because of the design inherent to wireless technology. CNM's wired Ethernet network provides a dedicated 100/1000 Mbps network connection. CNM wireless network depends on the type of connection your mobile device supports and uses. Here are the typical speeds of CNM's supported wireless connections:

IEEE 802.11a/g provides up to 54 Mbps (54 megabits-per-second)
IEEE 802.11n provides up to 300 Mbps
IEEE 802.11ac can provide up to 1 Gbps (1 gigabit per second or 1000 Mbps)

Typically, your device will automatically connect at the highest speed available. All CNM wireless access points support all these protocols, but the bandwidth each user sees will depend on the number of other users connected to the same access point at that moment.

**We provide this information not to discourage you from using wireless service, but to help you set reasonable expectations of what wireless service can provide.**

Types of Devices That Can Connect

Most typical wireless network devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) from reputable manufacturers will work with CNM’s wireless network. Modern wireless protocols are supported for all CNM SSIDs. These include IEEE 802.11 g/n/ac and the newest 802.11ax protocol. Please, be advised that not all manufacturers implement these standards in precisely the same way.

Devices that rely on a pre-shared key (PSK) will not work on CNM_TLS or CNM_Guest.

Tips for Connecting to CNM_TLS or CNM_Guest

Make sure you are in a CNM building and that your device can see the wireless networks.
Try turning your device off and back on and attempt to connect.
Wireless networking may be turned off on your device. Many devices have a button or an Airplane Mode setting that disables wireless networking. Be sure this setting is not in use on your device.
There may be too many devices connecting to the wireless networks in the area or room where you are located. If possible please try moving to another area. If you are unable to connect while others around you are connected, we may need to add another access point nearby. Please let us know by reporting this issue to the ITS Service Desk (224-HELP).
If you are still not able to connect please contact the ITS Service Desk (224-HELP) to investigate further.

What is SecureW2 and Why Are We Implementing It?

SecureW2 is a tool that configures and easily connects your devices to secure and encrypted wireless networks provided by CNM. Each device that is connected to the wireless network needs to be configured using SecureW2. Once a device is connected, it should automatically reconnect when the device is within range.

SecureW2 is being implemented to provide a safe, reliable, and secure connection to CNM’s wireless network.

Types of Wireless Security for CNM Wireless

CNM_TLS utilizes WPA2 801.x EAP-TLS authentication for the most secure wireless network available today.
CNM_Guest uses the Open standard and is not secured and not recommended for CNM users.

More About SecureW2 and JoinNow

SecureW2 is our wireless authentication provider and JoinNow is their Onboarding tool. View more information about SecureW2 and JoinNow.