Aggie Wireless Zones
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is a good place to start for basic information.
For personal assistance with connection or setup problems, contact the ICT Help Desk, (505) 646-1840 from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, or send email to: help@nmsu.edu.
- Where at NMSU can I connect to an NMSU Wireless Zone?
- Who can connect to an NMSU Wireless Zone?
- What kind of hardware or equipment does my computer need?
- How would I set up my computer software to use an NMSU wireless zone?
- Who should I contact if I'm having trouble using wireless at MSU?
- What are the Pros and Cons between wired, wireless and dial-up access?
- Are there high speed wired (network cable) locations where I can use my laptop?
- Who should my department talk to if they want to create or expand a wireless area?
- Do I have to re-authenticate or login everytime I move to a new wireless access point?
- What login ID's or passwords do I need to connect in a wireless zone?
- What if I can't remember my NMSU Username or password?
- Can I get wireless access from my home or apartment off-campus?
- Does the wireless system use or support encryption
Where at NMSU can I connect to a Wireless Zone?
Wireless access points are constantly being added on main campus. Check out the Wireless Zone locations list to find buildings with wireless access points and coverage areas. You can also contact the ICT Help Desk at (575) 646-1840 for planned additions.
Who can connect to an NMSU Wireless Zone?
Any affiliated NMSU student, staff or faculty may connect to a Wireless Zone after registering their PC with their NMSU username, password, and a unique hostname of their choice at:
University guests can request temporary access if they have a staff or faculty sponsor by using the guest network registration form at the following URL:
What type of hardware or equipment
does my computer need?
To use a wireless access point, your computer must have a "Wi-Fi" compatible network card that is compatible with the 802.11b networking standard. This card allows a device to connect to a wireless network within a range of about 120 feet. Many laptops can now be purchased with the card preinstalled. If you need to purchase the network card separately, the NMSU bookstore has a wide selection of cards available.If you have any questions about your computer’s network card or buying the right network card, come by the ICT Customer Service and Helpdesk in room 140 of the Computer Center, call (575) 646-1840, or e-mail us at help@nmsu.edu
How would I set up my computer software
to use an NMSU wireless zone?
Your computer's networking connection must be configured to use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Most modern PC's are configured by default to use DHCP; if your computer is not yet set up for DHCP, detailed instructions for configuring your computer can be found here:
- DHCP configuration for Windows XP
- DHCP configuration for Windows 2000
- DHCP configuration for Windows 95/98
- DHCP configuration for Mac OS 9
- DHCP configuration for Mac OS X
Who should I contact if I'm having trouble using NMSU wireless?
For technical support of all NMSU public wireless zones, please contact the ICT Help Desk at (575) 646-1840, or come by the ICT Help Desk in room 140 of the Computer Center.
Semester Hours: 8am - 8pm Monday through Friday, 10am - 3pm Saturday
Summer Hours: 8am-5pm Monday through Friday
For after hours assistance, send email to help@nmsu.edu.
What are the Pros and Cons between wired, wireless and dial-up access?
A wireless connection allows the user more mobility with Internet access; however, the network access rates are slightly slower than those of wired connections, and a wireless connection signal is more likely to be lost than wired. Wired Ethernet is probably the most stable and reliable form of Internet, due to the direct connection of the computer with a central network unit; however, for many students off-campus or in remote areas, dial-up (phone modem) access is the most cost effective option. Dial-up Internet uses phone lines to connect to the internet; it is a slower connection than Ethernet or wireless Internet, and many types of sound and video media cannot be accessed with dial-up. For more information on dial-up and wired networking set up, visit
Are there high speed wired
(network cable) locations where I can use my laptop?
Most computing labs on campus feature wired ethernet connections that can accomodate laptop computers configured with DHCP. High speed Internet services are also available in many residence halls and other areas. Check out the High Speed Internet Services page for details.
Who should my department talk to if
they want to create or expand a wireless area?
Campus departmental and school technology support groups should contact the ICT Work Order desk at (575) 646-4244 during business hours (8 - 5 Monday - Friday) or submit a work order via the web at http://www.nmsu.edu/~noc/dv_workorder.html
Do I have to re-authenticate or login
everytime I move to a new main campus wireless access point?
No; your computer's initial DHCP registration is good for any authorized ICT wireless access point. However, you must select each new wireless connection and connect to it before your PC will recognize it automatically. Departmental access points are secured with passwords and are not available to the public.
What login ID's or passwords do
I need to connect in a wireless zone?
Before you can connect you PC for the first time, you will need your myNMSU username and password to register your computer on the NMSU network registration site:
If you do not have a myNMSU account, sign up here.
More information on your NMSU credentials can be found at https://accounts.nmsu.edu/accounts/index.php.
What if I can't remember my NMSU Username or password?
If you have any questions about your myNMSU username or password, you can refer to https://accounts.nmsu.edu/accounts/index.php or come by the ICT Customer Service and Help Desk in room 140 of the Computer Center, or call us at (575) 646-1840.
Can I get wireless access from my
home or apartment off-campus?
Wireless Internet access off-campus is not available to students. Staff and faculty may be applicable for off-campus wireless access if their department requires their connectivity for work related reasons and will fund the connection with a departmental index number, and if the employee’s residence is in line-of-site range of the A Mountain transmission point. To find out more about off-campus wireless access, contact ICT Telecommunication & Networking Services at (575) 646-4244 or at noc@nmsu.edu. To request a network connection off-campus, go to http://ict.nmsu.edu/noc/telindex.html
Does the wireless system use or support encryption?
NMSU public wireless access points are not encrypted connections. However, ICT offers a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client if you would like an encrypted connection, along with other computer software and updates. For more information, visit
http://ict.nmsu.edu/software/Essentials/index.php
Encrypted connection for Microsoft Windows Vista (non 64 bit)
Encrypted connection for Microsoft Windows XP (non 64 bit)
Encrypted connection for Mac OS 10.4+