The Division of Technology Services provides wireless (Wi-Fi) access to the State’s Wide Area Network (WAN) to authorized State and local government employees.
Wireless services are included as part of the Network Services rate for State agencies. State agency locations have wireless access points installed as per the defined standard depending on the building size.
For existing locations that currently do not have wireless services please see ordering information below. Installation is dependent upon approval of the agency, network engineering team and available resources. The DTS Network team will perform an assessment and coordinate an installation plan to determine if there are any additional charges.
DTS Networking will provide wireless access points (WAPs) based on the standard under Hardware section below. DTS Networking will maintain and replace all existing WAPs as they reach end of life (EOL).
Agencies are responsible for all cabling and the initial purchase of wireless access points for buildings that require additional WAPs above the standard.
DTS Networking will provide recommendations to provide coverage in the requested areas. Coverage is determined by an Ekahau wireless survey report.
Features and Descriptions
SSIDs
DTS Networking currently provides wireless connectivity through four main SSIDs
SSID Use
- UWDN Secure Employee WAN access
- UWDN – PSK Pre shared key used primarily for IoT/ devices
- CapNet Guest Access – Internet Only
- EduRoam Student Access – Internet Only
Hardware
- DTS Networking will maintain and replace all existing WAPs as they reach end of life (EOL).
- For existing buildings that do not currently have wireless, DTS Networking will provide WAPs based on the following:
Site Size Number of Employees # of WAPs
- Small up to 25 up to 4
- Medium 26 to 50 up to 8
- Large 51 to 100 up to 16
- Extra Large over 100 employees TBD
- Note: For buildings over 100 employees the number of WAPs will be proportional to the number of employees.
- For new or remodeled locations the initial purchase of wireless access points should be included in the construction budget.
Standards
- 802.1x IEEE standards compliant: 802.11a; 802.11g; 802.11n;802.11 ac; 802.11ax.
- Wi-Fi Protected Access WPA2 Enterprise
- For new wireless access points, Wi-Fi 6 enabled hardware is utilized for new deployments.
Customer Configuration
- DTS Networking will assess custom configuration requests to determine feasibility and if existing designs can fulfill customer requirements. For custom configurations, additional expenses may be incurred, and may be negotiated through a Special Billing Agreement (SBA).
- Public Wi-Fi is an example of a custom configuration that may be requested and designed for public facing state locations.
Authentication
- DTS Networking utilizes Radius authentication for access to UWDN for state employees.
Road Map
DTS Networking is continually exploring the need to update our wireless networks in response to evolving telecommunications, wireless technology, and authentication standards, as well as the growing adoption of zero trust principles.
End of Life Access Points
Cisco Meraki has announced End of Life (EOL) for specific access points. DTS Networking is in planning stages to replace access points in existing buildings. DTS Networking will upgrade the EOL devices to newer Wi-FI 6 enabled devices.
- January 2021 – EOL Announcement for specific MR models
- April 2022 – End of Sale
- July 2026 – End of Support
DTS Networking will have a replacement schedule available as new hardware is delivered and installation will happen prior to the end of support date.
Authentication Enhancements
DTS Networking is undertaking several updates to our wireless network infrastructure. Here are the details of the updates:
- Certificate-based Authentication (Future Enhancement):
- As per the legislature bill HB0545 to move towards a zero-trust environment we are working further to secure our wireless networks. In collaboration with Desktop Support, we will be implementing the use of certificates on trusted user devices to establish secure connections to the States employee Wi-Fi. This will be implemented on WPA2-enterprise and is a requirement of the WPA3-Enterprise standards. The increasing trend is that newer devices require user or device certificates for authentication. This measure will enhance security and align with industry best practices. This effort is under development and more details will be shared in the future as we get closer to implementation.
- Adoption of WPA3 Enterprise Authentication Standard (Future Enhancement):
- DTS Networking will be implementing the WPA3-Enterprise authentication standard. As part of this update, new SSIDs will be introduced. Initially, both WPA2-Enterprise and WAP3-Enterprise SSIDs will coexist to support devices that are compatible with either standard. However, the transition to WPA3 is necessary as newer devices increasingly will require this standard to make use of the latest Wi-Fi technologies. This update ensures compatibility with evolving wireless technology standards. This effort is under development and more details will be shared in the future as we get closer to implementation.
Features Not Included
Cabling
- Customer agencies are responsible for all cabling costs associated with installation of wireless services.
Non Executive Branch Customers
- Wireless Network configurations are not considered a standard feature. For any Non-State or Public Entities that are supported by DTS a customizable wireless solution would be made available for additional costs and may be negotiated on a Special Billing Agreement (SBA).
- See the Network Services for Non-State Agencies product description for more information.
Ordering and Provisioning
The order form for the product information described below may be found on the right side of this page.
DTS Responsibilities
- DTS is responsible for maintaining the integrity and security of the State WAN and wireless network.
- DTS is responsible for shutting down unauthorized wireless access points.
- DTS will work with customer agencies to install wireless services.
Agency Responsibilities
- Customer agencies will submit a request for wireless services.
- Agencies are responsible for all cabling and the initial purchase of wireless access points (WAPs) for buildings that require additional WAPs above the standard..
- For new or remodeled locations the initial purchase of wireless access points should be included in the construction budget.
- Customer agencies will work with DTS to install wireless services to comply with current network and wireless standards.
- Customer agencies agree to not install unauthorized wireless devices.
- DTS will remove unauthorized wireless devices and install approved devices.
- Wireless network users are responsible for complying with the State Acceptable Use Policy and the State Information Security Policy
