Overview
It is possible to connect to our networks via WiFi (Eduroam) or physical cabled ethernet. WiFi networking is convenient but cabled networking is faster and may allow you to access more resources.
Wireless Networking for OU Employees and Students
The OxCIN locations provide the Eduroam and OWL (Oxford Wireless LAN) networks. We would recommend the use of Eduroam for all education users from the University of Oxford and other institutions - this provides a secured WiFi connection onto a segregated portion of the Oxford University backbone network and internet access. Details on connecting to Eduroam can be found on the University of Oxford IT Services pages. We would recommend you use the CAT installer if possible the first time you set your device up.
Most users find that an Eduroam connection is sufficient to carry out most of their work without needing to use the FMRIB VPN service. Where you need to access FMRIB-only network resources, for example to print documents, then you will need to connect to the FMRIB VPN service.
Visitor Wireless Networking
If you have a visitor who already has an Eduroam account from their home institution then they should be able to connect without help from IT staff, but if they have issues please contact us for advice. Visitors should endeavour to confirm that their Eduroam connection is working prior to arrival. Please note that Eduroam usernames should be in the format user@DOMAIN (with the domain all in capital letters). For example, the username for Oxford university members connecting to eduroam will be in the format username@OX.AC.UK, and likewise for members of other educational institutions.
We recommend the use of the Eduroam network for all users.
The university also provides a second wireless network named OWL, however, this provides no direct access to the internet. To get access to the internet on the OWL network, you would need to connect to the FMRIB VPN service or University of Oxford VPN service.
Before requesting/setting up visitor access please we aware that this service is ONLY to be used where the visitor meets one or more of the following conditions:
- Workshop and open day visitors
- Conference and seminar attendance
- Commercial partner companies
- Committee members
- Non-paying course member
- Guest lecturers and speakers
- Payroll workers
- External researchers
- Non-edu technology partners
The following categories are explicitly not allowed to use the visitor network services:
- Alumni
- Anyone who is walking into/around the campus or public facilities, e.g. Museums, gardens, open access areas of the colleges and Libraries and public exhibitions.
- Commercial hosting (e.g. paying course members)
The OWL Visitor Account
Where you have a visitor who requires wireless networking we are able to offer short duration (maximum two weeks) OWL-Visitor accounts. This provide an unsecured wireless network connection outside of the University of Oxford firewall with full internet access.
- User's full name
- A sponsor (contact who could provide contact details for the user should there be a query about any usage of the account)
- A start date/time
- The duration of the account
We are also able to bulk create accounts, should you need several for an event you are organising.
New ethernet connection instructions
The procedure for connecting to the wired (ethernet) network depends on which building you're located in. In all cases devices are required to be running a vendor supported operating system (i.e. still receiving security updates) and Sophos Anti-Virus. All departmentally owned devices should be running the Tanium auditing software - all Orchard managed Macs will have this already - contact OxCIN IT if you are unsure if your device has this software installed.
FMRIB/Wolfson Buildings
The FMRIB and Wolfson buildings provide at least one 1Gbit ethernet connection to all desks. It may be possible to request additional sockets for additional devices, but this is not always possible.
Network access depends on your relationship to OxCIN and all devices start on the 'OWL Visitor network'
Visitors
If the user of the device does not have a University of Oxford or OxCIN account then contact OxCIN IT to request short-term credentials that can be used to log into the captive portal web page that pops up on connection to the network.
Eduroam users
Eduroam users can use their Eduroam username/credential in the 802.1x authentication window that appears on connection. This will put you on the University Eduroam network. See OS specific instructions for achieving the login.
OxCIN users
OxCIN users can use their Eduroam username/credential (visit https://register.it.ox.ac.uk to create one if you haven't already). This will put you on the appropriate network for your device type (laptop or desktop). See OS specific instructions for achieving the login.
SEtup Instructions
Configuring macOS (Orchard managed) for network logins
Configuring macOS (other) for network logins
Configuring Windows 11 for Network Logins
OHBA
Before connecting any device to the OHBA wired network, please contact us to ensure that your device is properly configured and setup according to the University's regulations. For personal devices, you will need to register with MSD-IT.