This article gives guidance on connecting your device at the University’s internet network from the Halls of Residence. You can connect:

• Mobiles and computers to eduroam
• Game consoles, smart televisions, voice-activated speaker/digital assistants, personal printers and other IoT devices to SOTON-IoT 

Please note: we are aware of current limitations with certain speaker products, such as Sonos and Google Home Mini, when connected to the University networks. 

Eduroam

What is eduroam

eduroam is the University’s primary wireless network for students and staff. It provides access at University resources and the Internet.

How to connect to eduroam

Connecting to eduroam is quick and easy. Find all the information you need in the following articles:

• Connecting to eduroam
• Connecting your laptop to eduroam from Windows or macOS (Knowledge Base article)
• How to connect your mobile device to eduroam (Knowledge Base article)

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SOTON-IoT

What is SOTON-IoT

SOTON-IoT is an alternative network for staff and students, intended for devices that are not compatible with eduroam. This service provides limited access to University resources and the Internet.

SOTON-IoT uses a pre-shared key for authentication, much in the same way as a home router set-up. By registering your device on the University network using the device MAC address, you will receive a password to connect to SOTON-IoT.

How to connect to SOTON-IoT

You can register your device on the University network and connect your device to SOTON-IoT using a password. The password you will receive will be different from your University password.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1 - Locate the device’s MAC address

You will first need to locate the MAC address of your device to register it for use on the network.

The MAC address is a unique identification number for your device on the network and will look something like 00:3e:e1:c4:5d:df. To locate the MAC address of your device read the article “How to find out the MAC address on networked devices”.

If you cannot find your device listed, then please check the settings on your device or refer to the documentation which was supplied. If you use an App to manage your device, you might be able to locate the MAC address from there.

Step 2 - Register your device

Once you have located the MAC address of your device:

1. Go to the University’s Network Registration Portal website.

To get access to the University’s Network Registration Portal website, you will need to:

• Be connected to the internet through eduroam or a cable
  or
• Be connected to the University Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you are using your mobile data

2. Select the button ‘I want to connect to SOTON-IoT’

3. Log in with your University username (for example: ab1c22) and password

4. Once logged in, under the window Register Device for the SOTON-IoT Network:

1. Enter the MAC address of your device
2. Add a device comment (for example: “Amazon Echo”)
3. Select “Register This Device”

5. Once registered, you will receive a notification at the top of the web page. It will contain your password for connecting to the SOTON-IoT wireless network (SSID). 

You can also find your device password under the “My Registered Devices section”. Please note that this password will be different to your University password.

Step 3 - Connecting your devices to the wireless network

Now you can connect your device to the network SOTON_IoT using the password created in step 2. 

 
You do not need your University username to connect to the wireless. Please refer to your device instruction manual on how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Further information related to SOTON-IoT

Finding your device password

If you ever need to re-enter your password on your device to connect to SOTON-WiFi:

1. Log in to the network registration portal https://network.soton.ac.uk/
2. Select the My Devices tab at the top left side of the screen

Your device password will be displayed.

Connecting more devices

If you wish to connect more than one device to the Wi-Fi, you need to:

1. Register them separately
2. Get a password for each device (step-by-step instructions in Step 2)
3. Connect them using the password you received for each device

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What to do if your device does not support Wi-Fi authentication

If your device does not support this type of Wi-Fi authentication, you cannot configure it to work through our Wi-Fi service. A possible alternative would be:

1. Connect your laptop using a wired cable to the Ethernet network point in your room
2. Share the internet connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Guidance on using your laptop as a mobile hotspot can be found on the following external pages:

• How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad – Apple Support (UK)
• Use your Windows PC as a mobile hotspot - Microsoft Support

Please note that we cannot assist you in setting up routers or personal Wi-Fi hotspots. 

You are responsible for all network and internet activity in your room. You will hold accountable for any reported incidents of misuse.

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Related content

Connecting to eduroam

Connecting your laptop to eduroam from Windows or macOS

How to connect your mobile device to eduroam

Halls Wi-Fi connection problems