Guest Access - Campus Network

Guest Accounts

Temporary guest / visitor accounts allowing access to the University of Utah campus network and other restricted services are available to University of Utah departments hosting events or sponsoring visitors.

There are two ways to get access to uNID and OIT services for visitors, depending on their needs and the length of time they require access. For short term guests (less than 2 weeks), Guest Network IDs or gNIDs should be issued. For longer term visitors (longer than 2 weeks), a U Affiliate/Non-Employee form should be completed.

Guest Network IDs - GNIDs

The accounts provide access to both the uconnect.utah.edu wireless network, and to wired web-authenticated network (WANA) connections located in some campus buildings. Departments are encouraged to verify the accounts will work in a particular location prior to an event.

Requests for accounts should be submitted to the Campus Help Desk at 581-4000 option 1, or helpdesk@utah.edu. The request should include:

  • the name, email address and phone number of the individual responsible for the request,
  • the reason for the request,
  • the number of accounts needed,
  • the number of days the account is to be active,
  • the dates and times of the event,
  • the event location, and
  • any other relevant information.
In most cases, accounts will be issued within two business days. However, requests for large numbers of accounts, or unusual requests may take up to one week.

Guest accounts are valid for six months after issuance. The accounts expire one to seven days after they are used. Expiration term may be specified in the account request.

Guest Account (gNID) Guidelines

As a guest of the University of Utah, a temporary gNID account will provide you authenticated wired/wireless campus network access.

All use of guest accounts is governed by campus and OIT policies. Account sharing – use of one account by more than one individual - is specifically prohibited. Departments are responsible for tracking the issuance of accounts and may be asked to provide this information to the Information Security Office (ISO) upon request.

The staff in campus locations can confirm the availability of specific services, and, in some cases, can provide technical assistance. Services available through the campus network are provided primarily to meet the research and educational needs of the faculty, staff and students of the University. This group has top priority for access to these services.

Use of this account is governed by state and federal law and the University of Utah Information Resources Policy (P&PM 1-15) and the Student Labs Acceptable Use Policy, where applicable. These policies prohibit the following:

  • Commercial and other for-profit activities
  • Account sharing - only one user may use this account
  • Gambling
  • Obscenity and child pornography
  • Knowingly spreading worms or viruses, hacking, or engaging in any activity that interferes with the proper operation of University or other systems or networks. This includes the distribution of unsolicited, mass email.
  • Monopolizing information resources for personal entertainment
  • Peer-to-peer file sharing of copyrighted materials
  • Running server software (i.e., Web server, file server, DHCP server)
  • Use of licensed University of Utah electronic library resources by non-campus (family) members living in student housing

Some facilities may have local policies that extend the policies listed above. To support the varied academic and research missions of the University, the University imposes few technical filters and no content filters on Internet traffic. All systems connecting to the campus network must have current virus protection. We recommend the use of a local firewall. In addition, parents are strongly encouraged to monitor use by minor children. Parents are responsible for all use by minor children.

University of Utah faculty, staff or students with account problems can contact the Campus Help Desk at 581-4000 option 1, or email helpdesk@utah.edu.

University Affiliates - Longer Term Access

As of November 2006, Human Resources has a new process to allow access to uNID and other services for non-typical employees working/studying/consulting at the U in some capacity for a period of time longer than 2 weeks. A U Affiliate/Non-Employee form should be completed for individuals who need access to campus systems but NOT the PeopleSoft database (these individuals need to fill out PAN form). A birth date and an end date are required; the default time period is one year. Please note that the authorizing department can be different than the reporting department when filling out the form, which then needs to be faxed to HR.

OIT/uNID services offered through the Affiliate/Non-Employee form include:

Once a department receives acceptance of an offer for an affiliate, the manager should fill out the U Affiliate/Non-Employee form. Fax or mail the form to Human Resources. There will be a turnaround time of approximately 3-5 business days when an Employee ID will be created and sent to the manager via email. The manager should contact the new affiliate and help them to sign into the Campus Information System (CIS) for the first time with their uNID and birthdate. Once a secure password has been created in the CIS, the selected OIT/uNID services will be activated.

 

For More

for more info

Individual Guest Account (gNID) Request Form

Campus IT Administrators login

Campus IT Policies

HR U Affiliate/Non-Employee Form

uNIDs and passwords

POI process diagram (pdf)

For questions about guest accounts or the campus wireless network, contact the Campus Help Desk at 581-4000 option 1.