UT San Antonio students, faculty and staff returning to the university this semester will experience a stronger and more secure AirRowdy Wi-Fi network. Over the summer, University Technology Solutions (UTS) replaced hundreds of network switches and wireless access points across buildings on the Main Campus and Downtown Campus. Where the new hardware is in place, users can expect faster speeds, broader coverage and fewer dropped connections.
The project is the latest phase in a multi-year redevelopment of university infrastructure and represents a significant investment in capacity, support, security and resiliency. Modern workloads entail cloud applications, high-performance computing, and AI tools, all used by thousands of devices sharing the network. These upgrades enable more robust security, managed by the network itself rather than left to each device. As this refresh progresses, resilient coverage and speed will keep improving.
“This upgrade is about giving our campus communities streamlined Wi-Fi service they can trust,” said Michael Schnabel, senior vice president and chief information officer. “It means fewer barriers, faster and more consistent connections, and a better experience wherever you connect.”
What to expect in the first weeks of the semester
More than 40,000 Roadrunners are returning to campus carrying an average of two to five devices each. Even with upgraded hardware, demand on the network is high and peaks in the minutes around class changes.
To promote a connected and collaborative campus environment, there are a few simple ways users can support their own Wi-Fi performance, especially during the first weeks of term.
For the best experience, on campus users should:
- Disconnect devices that aren’t needed for coursework
- Pause streaming over Wi-Fi, especially during class changes and other busy periods
- Check that VPNs are turned off while using the AirRowdy network
Enhanced network security
Beginning Aug. 10, personal Virtual Private Network (VPN) services will not connect over the AirRowdy Wi-Fi network.
The university’s own VPNs for both the academic and health campuses work exactly as they did before, and personal VPNs remain permitted on mobile data and on residence hall Wi-Fi.
Researchers, faculty and staff with specialized projects or research needs that require VPN connectivity are encouraged to coordinate with UTS. The technology team can help identify university-approved solutions that support research, instruction and other university business while maintaining the security and performance of the AirRowdy network.
With new network hardware now in place across buildings on the Main Campus and Downtown Campus, students, faculty and staff can expect smoother connections and steadier Wi-Fi performance in the spaces they use most.
