Overview

The UCSFwpa wireless service provides protected communications to Campus and Medical Center resources and networks. It is widely available in clinical, research and administrative buildings.

The UCSFwpa wireless network supports most wireless devices using 802.11a/b/g/n. It is the recommended method of network access at most UCSF locations. 

Availability

This service is available to faculty, staff, learners and affiliates with Active Directory (AD) accounts. 

Visitors to UCSF should use the UCSFguest wireless network.

Requirements for UCSFwpa

• A wireless device that supports Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2)
• User login with the user's Active Directory or active UCSF email credentials

IMPORTANT: Disable the private or random MAC Address setting

To ensure seamless connectivity and prevent your device from being blocked by UCSF's Network Access Control (NAC), it is important to disable the Private Wi-Fi Address, randomized MAC address, or random hardware addresses setting on your device by following the instructions below.  Connecting to UCSFwpa with any of these privacy features enabled will cause NAC to block your computer from the UCSFwpa network because your computer will not fully register itself as an identified device when it authenticates into our secure UCSFwpa network.

Macs

Applies to macOS Sequoia (15.x).  Older macOS versions do not feature Private Wi-Fi Address settings.

1. Choose Apple Menu and select System Settings
2. Select Wi-Fi in the sidebar (on the left of the System Settings window)
3. Click the Details button or More Info button next to UCSFwpa.
4. From the menu next to Private Wi-Fi Address, choose Off.

iPhones and iPads

1. Open Settings app
2. Select Wi-Fi
3. Select the information button next to UCSFwpa
4. Disable Private Address

Apple Watch

1. Open Settings app
2. Select Wi-Fi
3. Select the network name UCSFwpa
4. Disable Private Address

Android

1. Open Settings app
2. Select Network & Internet
3. Select Wi-Fi
4. Select UCSFwpa to configure
5. Select Advanced
6. Select Privacy
7. Disable Randomized MAC

Windows

1. Select the Start button
2. Select Settings
3. Select Network & Internet
4. Select Wi-Fi
5. Select Manage known networks
6. Find and select UCSFwpa
7. Select Properties
8. Disable "Use random hardware addresses for this network"

Disabling these settings for your UCSFwpa connection profile will not affect other WiFi connection profiles that you might have on your device, such as your home's WiFi or when connecting to public WiFi's such as airports and restaurants.

Once you disabled Private Address, Randomized MAC, random hardware address, or Private Wi-Fi Address in the UCSFwpa connection profile on your computer or device, it can be identified properly to our UCSFwpa network and won't cause NAC to block it.