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Connecting to our wifi

Last updated: 28/09/2023 08:36

Our on-campus wireless network (eduroam) is freely available to students after enrolment.

The wireless network covers all university buildings, university residences and the majority of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board sites.

Please read our IT regulations which are applicable to all students.

The certificate used to connect your device to the university secure network (eduroam) expires annually. This means you will need to re-onboard each of your devices every year. You will receive reminder emails starting 4 weeks before each registration expires, prompting you to re-onboard your device.

Prepare your device before you arrive

You can prepare iOS, Mac OS and Windows devices to connect to eduroam, so that when you arrive on campus your device will then connect to eduroam immediately. You can connect Android and Chromebook devices quickly and easily once you arrive on campus.

Please note that some older devices may not be compatible with the eduroam network. You may not be able to utilise a full online gaming experience using gaming consoles, as they will need to be NAT type 3 (Strict).

We recommend that your device’s operating system is up to date with all the updates and patches installed, and you have applied the latest wireless network drivers onto the device beforehand.

Connecting to the wireless network

Follow the instructions below for setting up your device to connect to eduroam.

Connect your iOS device to eduroam

Video

Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

  • Please turn off any existing VPNs from your device and ensure date and time of device is set to UK time.
  • If you are not on campus, connect to your own home network and go straight to step 2, using your own network instead of CU-Wireless.
  • Users re-onboarding devices after receiving an email to do so can go straight to step 2, using eduroam instead of CU-Wireless.
  • If you intend to use an external dongle to connect your device via an ethernet cable, please ensure that it is connected, installed, and configured before completing the process below.
  1. If you are on campus, connect to the CU-Wireless network to start the process (your device will connect to CU-Wireless as an Unsecured Network).
  2. Manually direct Safari to https://onboard.cardiff.ac.uk unless you are auto-directed.
  3. Ignore any 'this connection is not private' warnings and visit website.
  4. At the login page, enter your full university email address and your password.
  5. Ensure the correct Operating system has been detected (iOS for iPhones, or iPadOS for iPads) then click Log in.
  6. Select Install Profile to configure your device.
  7. You will be presented with a pop-up, asking you to download the university’s eduroam configuration profile – select Allow.
  8. At this point the eduroam profile is downloaded, however, you now need to manually install it. Note that you have to install the new profile within 8 minutes, otherwise you have to start the process again..

    iOS version 15.0 onwards

  1. Open the Settings icon from the home screen.
  2. On the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘Profile Downloaded’.
  3. Select install on the eduroam install profile screen.
  4. Enter your phone's passcode, if prompted.
  5. Select Install from the following pop-up messages.
  6. Once the profile is installed, select Done
  7. Continue below to "When you are on campus".

    Older iOS versions

  1. Open the Settings icon from the home screen, click on General and then Profiles.
  2. Select Cardiff University Device Enrolment under Downloaded Profile
  3. Select install on the eduroam install profile screen.
  4. Enter your phone's passcode, if prompted.
  5. Select Install from the following pop-up messages.
  6. Once the profile is installed, select Done
  7. Continue below when you are on campus.

When you are on campus

  1. Once you are on-site, you will need to manually connect to the eduroam wireless network by selecting it from the network list within Settings, followed by Wi-Fi.
  2. It is recommended that you also ‘Forget’ the CU-Wireless network.

If you are still having problems configuring your device

  1. First, try restarting your device.
  2. Try forgetting the 'eduroam' network:
    1. Open Settings > Wifi > 'i' button next to eduroam
    2. Click Forget this network.

You can also try removing the ‘eduroam’ profile from your device

iOS 15.0 onwards

  1. Remove the 'eduroam'  profile from iPhones and iPads running iOS
  2. Go to Settings -> General -> VPN & Device Management -> Configuration Profile – select the Cardiff certificate and click ‘remove profile’

Older iOS versions

  1. Remove the 'eduroam'  profile from iPhones and iPads running iOS
  2. Go to Settings > General > Profile – then remove ‘eduroam’ and/or ‘Cardiff University Device Enrolment’ from your device.

Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

  • Please turn off any existing VPNs from your device.
  • If you are not on campus, connect to your own local network to start the process.
  • If you are on campus, connect to the CU-Wireless network to start the process.
  • If you intend to use an external dongle to connect your device via an ethernet cable, please ensure that it is connected, installed, and configured before completing the process below.

You will need an active network connection to complete the setup process:

  1. Once connected, open Safari web browser.
  2. Manually direct Safari to https://onboard.cardiff.ac.uk unless you are auto-directed.
  3. At the login page, enter your full university email address and your password.
  4. Ensure the correct operating system has been detected (macOS) then click Log in.
  5. Select Install Profile to configure your device.

Instructions continue below depending on your OS version.

MacOS Big Sur (v11 onwards)

  1. Select Allow to allow downloads on ‘onboard.cardiff.ac.uk’ . At this stage, the new profile has downloaded to your device; however, it needs to be installed. Select System Preferences and Profiles. Select Install for the Cardiff University Device Enrolment.
  2. Select Install at the pop-up
  3. Enter your device’s passcode/TouchID if prompted.
  4. Once the profile has installed, use the Airport icon in the top menu bar to connect to eduroam (on campus only)
  5. It is recommended that you remove the ‘CU-Wireless’ network altogether, and promote eduroam priority by opening system preferences, select network, then advanced. Then select CU-Wireless network from the list and click the “-“ icon to remove the CU-Wireless network.

Older versions of OSX

  1. Select install at the pop up.
  2. At the next prompts, select Continue and Install.
  3. Enter your device's passcode if prompted.
  4. Once the install process has completed, you should see a Cardiff University Device Enrolment Verified message.
  5. Use the Airport icon in the top menu bar to connect to eduroam (on campus only).
  6. It is recommended that you remove the CU-Wireless network altogether, and promote eduroam priority by opening system preferences, select network, then advanced. Then select CU-Wireless network from the list and click the “-“ icon to remove the CU-Wireless network.

If you are having problems configuring your device

First, try restarting your device.

  1. Try forgetting the eduroam network:
    1. Open Settings > Wifi > 'i' button next to eduroam.
    2. Click Forget this network.
  2. Try removing the eduroam profile from your device:
    1. Remove the eduroam profile from Apple Mac desktops and laptops: select System Preferences > Profiles – click the ‘-‘ button to remove the profile.

Video

Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

  • Please turn off any existing VPNs from your device and ensure date and time of device is set to UK time.
  • Please note that the Huawei Harmony operating system is not currently supported.
  • Registering Android devices remotely does work, however, you may get an error message in ClearPass Quick Connect when it attempts to connect to eduroam to test the connection after being configured. Ignore any messages relating to this; the device will connect to eduroam when you are in range of an eduroam wireless signal.
  • If you are re-onboarding devices after receiving an email prompt, you can go straight to step 8, using eduroam instead of CU-Wireless.
  1. Before you start this process, ensure you have a Google Play account set up.
  2. Forget the existing eduroam and CU-Wireless wireless profiles from your list of available networks if they exist. Access these under settings and WiFi.
  3. Uninstall the following applications from your device if they exist: “QuickConnect” , “eduroamCAT” , ”Ruckus Cloudpath, an Arris Company”.
  4. Restart your device.
  5. Go to Settings and select Network and Internet.
  6. Select CU-Wireless from the list of available networks.
  7. Your device will connect to CU-Wireless displaying 'Connected’.
  8. Manually direct Chrome to https://onboard.cardiff.ac.uk unless you are auto directed.
  9. If presented with a ‘Your connection is not private’ message, select Advanced and Proceed.
  10. At the login page, enter your full university email address and your password.
  11. Ensure the correct operating system has been detected (Android) then click Log in.
  12. Select Install QuickConnect at the next screen to configure your device.
  13. You will be directed to the Google Play Store to install ClearPass QuickConnect.
  14. Once installed, select Open to run the ClearPass QuickConnect application.
  15. Select Continue.
  16. Allow ClearPass QuickConnect to access areas of your device, including Device Location, Manage phone calls and Access photos, media and files. The process will not work if any of these are denied.
  17. Select Continue.
  18. Select OK.
  19. You may need to sign in again to the onboarding website.
  20. If presented, select the option 'I have already installed QuickConnect'
  21. At the next prompt, select Install Network Profile. Once downloaded open the quick1x.networkconfig file.
  22. You may be required to create a secure lock screen, if prompted select ‘Set lock’ and choose from options presented.
  23. ClearPass QuickConnect will then install the required certificates. Select OK.
  24. If you see an error 'error configuring device' - Turn your device off and on again for the settings to apply.
  25. If you are off campus, this process will fail at this point because ClearPass QuickConnect is unable to ‘see’ the eduroam SSID, however when you arrive on campus it will automatically connect.
  26. You will now be connected to eduroam when you are on campus.
  27. Note: if present, ensure ‘Remove permissions if app is unused’ is off.

Video

Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

  • Turn off any existing VPNs from your device and ensure date and time of device is set to UK time. Ad blocking software must be temporarily turned off.
  • If you intend to use an external dongle to connect your device via an ethernet cable, please ensure that it is connected, installed, and configured before completing the process below.
  • If you are re-onboarding devices after receiving an email prompt, you can go straight to step 2, using eduroam instead of CU-Wireless.

You will need an active network connection to complete the setup process:

  1. Open an internet browser and manually direct to https://onboard.cardiff.ac.uk unless you are auto directed.
  2. At the login page, enter your full University email address and your password.
  3. Check that the correct operating system is selected (Windows) from the drop-down list, before selecting Log In.
  4. At the next page, click Start QuickConnect to download the QuickConnect application.
  5. You may have to select Keep or Save when prompted to download the application.
  6. Once the application has downloaded, click on ArubaQuickConnect.exe to run the application.
  7. Select Yes if prompted with a ‘Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?’ message.
  8. This will load the Cardiff University Onboard Wizard.
  9. After you select Next, the application will begin the process to install the necessary Certificates.
  10. If a Security Warning pop up appears, select Yes to install the Cardiff-University-WEB-CA certificate. It may appear several times, select Yes for each. You may be requested to enter your device's ‘administrator password’ at this point.
  11. Once onsite and the process has completed, select Connect to connect to the eduroam wireless network.
  12. You may need to open the Windows Wireless menu in the Status Bar, choose your certificate and click OK.
  13. At the Connection Summary page, select Close.
  14. You will now connect to eduroam when you are on campus.

Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

  • Please turn off any existing VPNs from your device, ensure that the date and time of device is set to UK Time and turn off any ad-blocking software off temporarily.
  • If you are re-onboarding devices after receiving an email prompt, you can go straight to step 2, using eduroam instead of CU-Wireless.
  • If you intend to use an external dongle to connect your device via an ethernet cable, please ensure that it is connected, installed, and configured before completing the process below.

You will need an active network connection to complete the setup process:

  1. Connect to the CU-Wireless network.
  2. Open an internet browser and manually direct to https://onboard.cardiff.ac.uk unless you are auto directed.
  3. At the login page, enter your full university email address and your password.
  4. Check that the correct Operating system is selected (Windows) from the drop-down list, before selecting Log In.
  5. At the next page, click Start QuickConnect to download the QuickConnect application.
  6. You may have to select Keep or Save when prompted to download the application.
  7. Once the application has downloaded, click on ArubaQuickConnect.exe to open the application. This file may be located in your downloads folder.
  8. Select Yes if prompted with a ‘Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?’ message.
  9. This will load the Cardiff University Onboard Wizard.
  10. After you select Next, the application will begin the process to install the necessary Certificates onto your device.
  11. If a Security Warning pop up appears, select Yes to install the Cardiff-University-WEB-CA certificate. It may appear several times, select Yes for each. You may be requested to enter your device's ‘administrator password’ at this point.
  12. Once onsite and the process has completed, select Finish to connect to the eduroam wireless network.
  13. For eduroam wireless connections - within Settings, Wi-Fi, eduroam – ensure Random hardware addresses is set to Off.
  14. You should now be connected to eduroam/ethernet when you are on campus.

    There is no current method of pre-registering Chromebook devices from off-campus. Follow the instructions below carefully when you are on campus.

    Video

    Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

    Please turn off any existing VPNs from your device and ensure date and time of device is set to UK time.

    If you are logged in using a ‘Guest’ account, please disconnect before performing the method below:

  1. Connect to ‘CU-Wireless’ Wireless Network
  2. Open your Chrome browser and go to a non-https page such as http://neverssl.com/
  3. Important: choose ‘Other’ as the Operation System, NOT Chromebook.
  4. Type your university email address and password. (Not username)
  5. Click the Log in button.
  6. Choose Download Certificate, at which point a file will be downloaded to your device.
  7. Click the Download Certificate links to download the following certificate files. Make a note of where they are saved for a later stage.
    1. ‘CardiffUniversityRootCA.crt’
    2. ‘ClearPass_Onboard_Certificate_Authority.crt’
  8. Make a note of the certificate password text for use further on. (Refresh browser if necessary).
  9. In your chrome browser, go to ‘chrome://settings/certificates/’
  10. Choose the ‘Authorities tab’ and then the import button.
  11. On the bottom left of the window, select Choose all files.
  12. Select the ‘CardiffUniversityRootCA.crt’ select it and click Open.
  13. Do not select any of the three checkboxes. Press OK.
  14. Choose the Your certificates tab.
  15. Press the Import and Bind button.
  16. On the bottom left of the window, select Choose all files from the SSL Client Certificate button.
  17. Locate the file saved in step 6 above OnboardCertificates.pkcs12, select it, and click Open.
  18. Copy the password given to you previously in step 8 into the text box and press OK.
  19. Click on the clock icon at the bottom right of the screen.
  20. Click on the ‘settings cog’ icon.
  21. On the following page, beneath ‘Networks' select Add connection, and then Add WiFi.
  22. Fill in the following details in order: -
    1. SSID – type ‘eduroam’
    2. Security – Select ‘EAP’
    3. EAP Method – Select ‘EAP-TLS’
    4. Uncheck “Allow other users of this device to use this network.” at the base of the page.
    5. Server Certificate – Select ‘Cardiff-University-Root-CA'
    6. User certificate – Select ‘ClearPass Onboard Certificate Authority <Your University Email Address>’
    7. Identity – Type in your university email address
    8. Select ‘Save identity and Password’ if required.
    9. Select ‘Connect’
  23. The Chromebook should now securely connect to eduroam.

Download a PDF guide with screenshots.

These instructions are written in the context of an Ubuntu 18.04 64-bit laptop. If you are registering from a home network or a wired connection (recommended) – omit steps 2-5.

Please turn off any VPNs from your device. Ensure that the date and time of your device is set to UK Time. Ad blocking software must be temporarily turned off.

  1. Forget the existing eduroam and CU-Wireless wireless profiles from your list of available networks if they exist. Access these under Settings and WiFi.
  2. Restart your device.
  3. Go to Settings and WiFi.
  4. Select CU-Wireless from the list of available networks.
  5. Your device will connect to CU-Wireless displaying 'Connected’.
  6. Manually direct Chrome to https://onboard.cardiff.ac.uk if you are not auto directed.
  7. At the login page, enter your full university email address and your password.
  8. Ensure the correct Operating system has been detected (e.g. Ubuntu (64-bit)) then click Log in.
  9. Select Start QuickConnect at the next screen to download the QuickConnect to your device.
  10. Once the download has completed a window will appear containing installation instructions:
  • open a terminal window (eg using ctrl-alt-t)
  • run sh ~/Downloads/ArubaQuickConnect.sh
  • wait for the QuickConnect app window to appear and then follow the instructions in the app. The app will prompt you for you local machine password to allow it to run with elevated privileges
  • click finish in the app – the onboarding window should show “Device provisioning complete”

Restart your device. You will now connect to eduroam when you are on campus.

Get online in your residence

If you are in a university-managed residence you can also connect your devices via the University’s ResLAN (Residences’ Local Area Network) service, which provides a wired ethernet connection to the internet and uses the same connection instructions as connecting to the wireless network.

You can also connect wireless devices that aren’t laptops or smartphones, such as smart speakers, gaming consoles and smart TVs to the CU-PSK network.

Please note that only 'eduroam', 'CU-Wireless', 'CU-Visitor' and 'CU-PSK' wireless networks are operated and maintained by University IT. Please do not try to connect to any other network unless you have been authorised to do so by the person responsible for that network.

IT support