Wi-Fi at CU Denver: Resnet and AurariaNet

Unique Customer Centric Wi-Fi Installations

The Wi-Fi networks on the CU Denver campus, provided by Resnet and AurariaNet, stand out for their unique integration with the Enterprise network while being tailored to meet the specific needs of their users. These installations were carefully crafted based on customer requirements, making CU Denver one of the pioneers in offering a seamless and user-friendly Wi-Fi experience. For the CU Denver Wi-Fi team, it's all about providing dedicated and customized service to their customers.

Resnet

The start of a new school year is always an exciting time at CU Denver, and the Wi-Fi team takes pride in supporting students as they move into campus housing, where reliable Wi-Fi is essential for student life. During the week of August 19-23, 2024, the team was on-site to assist students with their Wi-Fi setup. CU Denver was one of the first institutions to implement a Wi-Fi system that mimics the ease and familiarity of a home network, allowing students to connect their devices as if they were at home, despite the underlying Enterprise infrastructure. This capability is powered by the third-party software, “Splash Access.”

This year, the Splash Access team made significant strides in refining their software, streamlining the process for both CU Wi-Fi administration and student use. A key enhancement allows students to connect to Resnet not just in their rooms but anywhere on campus where Resnet is available. The front-line support team, including Clark Moore, LaRon Massey, and Cindy Espinosa, was on hand to assist incoming students with their Resnet Wi-Fi accounts. A special thanks goes to John Bergman from the Network-Access Team for his quick support in addressing any wiring needs.

AurariaNet

The campus previously had distinct SSIDs for each Wi-Fi provider, which, while logical from an administrative perspective, was cumbersome for students who use shared buildings across different institutions. The CU Wi-Fi and Network teams aimed to simplify the user experience, allowing students to connect effortlessly without worrying about the complexities of the underlying systems.

On June 30th, 2024, after a year of engineering and planning, the “AurariaNet” initiative was successfully completed. This project consolidated the SSIDs (CU-Denver, MSU, AHEC-Staff) into a single SSID—AurariaNet—making it easier for students to connect. The complex task of managing network traffic is now handled seamlessly by the network and Wi-Fi systems. This project was a collaborative effort, involving partnerships both within and outside the campus, all united by the goal of enhancing the student experience. Some projects are a win-win. This project was between all the entities that came together is truly a, win-win-win-win-win.

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