It's a common scenario: you arrive at Northwestern University, eager to dive into your studies or work, only to realize you need to connect to the internet. And what's that network called? Ah, yes, eduroam. If you're feeling a little lost, don't worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of signing into eduroam at Northwestern, step-by-step, ensuring you get connected with minimal fuss.
Getting Connected: Your Guide to Northwestern's Eduroam
First things first, are you ready to connect to a world of academic resources and online possibilities? Because that's what eduroam offers – secure, reliable, and widely accessible internet for the education and research community. Let's get you set up!
Step 1: Understanding Eduroam and Your Credentials
Before we dive into the technicalities, it's crucial to understand what eduroam is and what credentials you'll need.
What is Eduroam?
Eduroam (education roaming) is a secure, worldwide roaming access service developed specifically for the international research and education community. This means that if your home institution participates in eduroam (and Northwestern definitely does!), you can use your home institution's credentials to connect to the internet at other participating institutions globally. It's incredibly convenient for students, faculty, and staff who travel between campuses or collaborate with other universities.
Your Northwestern Credentials
For Northwestern University students, faculty, and staff, your primary credential for eduroam will be your NetID and NetID password.
Username: YourNetID@northwestern.edu (e.g., if your NetID is
abc123, your username will beabc123@northwestern.edu).Password: Your NetID password.
Important Note: This is your NetID, not your full Northwestern email address. While it looks similar, it's crucial to use your NetID followed by @northwestern.edu.
If you are a visitor from another eduroam-participating institution, you will use the credentials provided by your home institution. Remember to append your home institution's domain to your username (e.g., yourusername@youruniversity.edu).
Step 2: Choosing Your Connection Method
Northwestern generally offers two ways to connect to eduroam: Automatic Configuration (recommended) and Manual Configuration. We'll cover both, but always try the automatic method first!
Option A: Automatic Configuration (Recommended)
Most modern devices are designed to connect to eduroam with minimal input, especially if you're on campus.
Sub-step 2.A.1: Locating the Wi-Fi Settings
On Windows: Click the network icon (often a Wi-Fi symbol or globe) in the lower-right corner of your screen, typically in the system tray.
On macOS: Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar.
On Android/iOS: Go to your device's "Settings" app, then navigate to "Network & Internet" or "Wi-Fi."
Sub-step 2.A.2: Selecting the Eduroam Network
From the list of available Wi-Fi networks, select "eduroam."
Click "Connect" (or tap on the network name).
Sub-step 2.A.3: Entering Your Credentials
You will be prompted for a username and password.
For Northwestern users:
Username: Enter your NetID followed by
@northwestern.edu(e.g.,abc123@northwestern.edu).Password: Enter your NetID password.
For Visitors: Enter the username and password provided by your home institution, ensuring your institutional domain is part of the username.
Click/tap "OK," "Connect," or "Join."
Sub-step 2.A.4: Accepting the Certificate (If Prompted)
You might receive a prompt about a server certificate. This is a security measure to ensure you're connecting to the legitimate eduroam network.
Always accept or trust the certificate. Look for certificates issued by entities like "AAA Certificate Services" or "USERTrust RSA Certification Authority" (these are common and legitimate for eduroam).
If you are unsure or the certificate details seem suspicious, stop and contact Northwestern IT Support.
If successful, your device should now be connected to eduroam! You'll typically see a connected status next to the "eduroam" network.
Option B: Manual Configuration (For Troubleshooting or Specific Devices)
Sometimes, the automatic configuration doesn't work, or you might be using a device that requires a more hands-on approach. Here's how to manually configure your connection. Note that specific steps might vary slightly depending on your operating system.
Sub-step 2.B.1: Accessing Advanced Network Settings
On Windows:
Open the Control Panel.
Go to "Network and Sharing Center" (under "Network and Internet").
Select "Set up a new connection or network."
Choose "Manually connect to a wireless network."
On macOS:
Go to Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences) > Network.
Select Wi-Fi in the left-hand pane, then click "Advanced..."
On Android (versions 11+ recommended for CAT tool, otherwise manual):
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet.
Tap on "Add network" or select "eduroam" if it appears, then go into its settings.
On iOS:
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Tap the information icon (i) next to "eduroam" (if it appears) or select "Other Network..." to manually add.
Sub-step 2.B.2: Entering Network Details
You'll need to input specific parameters for the eduroam network.
Network Name (SSID):
eduroamSecurity Type:
WPA2-EnterpriseEncryption Type:
AESEAP Method (or Network Authentication Method):
PEAP(Protected EAP)Phase 2 Authentication:
MSCHAPv2(Secured Password)CA Certificate: This is crucial.
On some devices, you might need to select "Do not validate" or "Use system certificates" or install a specific certificate. Northwestern's documentation often mentions installing a certificate like
nu-eduroam.cerif prompted. If you need to download it, search for "Northwestern eduroam certificate" on the Northwestern IT website. After downloading, you'll typically "install" it by tapping/clicking the downloaded file, then naming it "eduroam" and selecting "Wi-Fi" as the credential use.For Windows, you'll specifically look for and check "AAA Certificate Services" and "USERTrust RSA Certification Authority" under "Trusted Root Certification Authorities." Uncheck "Remember my credentials" if it's an option, then click "Settings" within the Protected EAP properties.
Domain (for some Android versions):
northwestern.eduIdentity/Username: Your NetID followed by
@northwestern.edu(e.g.,abc123@northwestern.edu).Anonymous Identity: Leave blank (or delete "anonymous" if it's pre-filled).
Password: Your NetID password.
Sub-step 2.B.3: Saving and Connecting
Once all the details are entered, click "OK," "Save," "Connect," or "Join."
If you're using Windows, you might need to click "Advanced settings" in the "Northwestern Wireless Network Properties" window. Check "Specify authentication mode" and select "User authentication" from the drop-down. Then click "Save credentials" and re-enter your NetID@northwestern.edu and NetID password.
Step 3: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a step-by-step guide, sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Issue 1: "Unable to connect" or "Incorrect password"
Double-check your credentials: Are you using
YourNetID@northwestern.eduand your correct NetID password? A common mistake is using your full email address instead of your NetID.Forget and Reconnect: Sometimes, stale network profiles can cause issues.
Go to your device's Wi-Fi settings.
Forget the "eduroam" network.
Restart your device.
Try connecting again from Step 2.A.1.
Saved Credentials: If you recently changed your NetID password, your device might be trying to use an old, saved password. You might need to manually remove older network login credentials from your device's "Keychain Access" (macOS) or "Credential Manager" (Windows).
Issue 2: Certificate Errors
Ensure you accept or trust the server certificate when prompted. If you previously declined it, you may need to forget the network and try again.
On Android, older versions might require "Do not validate" for the CA certificate. Newer Android versions might require selecting "Use system certificates" or installing a specific Northwestern eduroam certificate.
Issue 3: Still Can't Connect?
Restart your device: A simple reboot can often resolve minor connectivity glitches.
Check for system updates: Ensure your device's operating system is up to date, as newer updates often include network driver improvements.
Contact Northwestern IT Support: If you've followed all the steps and are still experiencing problems, it's time to reach out to Northwestern IT Services. They can provide personalized assistance and check for any larger network issues. You can usually find their contact information on the Northwestern IT website (often a service desk phone number or email).
Step 4: Staying Connected and Security Best Practices
Once you're successfully connected to eduroam, here are a few tips to ensure a smooth and secure experience:
Automatically Reconnect
Most devices will automatically reconnect to eduroam once you've successfully logged in for the first time, as long as you're within range of an eduroam access point.
Update Your Credentials After Password Changes
If you change your NetID password, remember to update it in your device's eduroam settings. Failure to do so will result in connection issues.
Be Mindful of Public Wi-Fi
While eduroam is secure, always exercise caution when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks outside of trusted university environments. Consider using a VPN for added security if you're handling sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to connecting to eduroam at Northwestern:
How to Check My NetID and Password?
You can usually find your NetID and reset your NetID password through the Northwestern IT portal or by contacting the IT Service Desk directly.
How to Connect to Eduroam on an Android Device?
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet, select "eduroam," and enter your NetID@northwestern.edu and NetID password. You might need to select "PEAP" for EAP method and "MSCHAPv2" for Phase 2 authentication. For some Android versions, select "Do not validate" or "Use system certificates" for the CA certificate and enter "northwestern.edu" as the domain.
How to Connect to Eduroam on an iOS Device (iPhone/iPad)?
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, select "eduroam," and enter your NetID@northwestern.edu and NetID password. Accept the certificate if prompted.
How to Connect to Eduroam on a Windows Laptop?
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, select "eduroam," and enter your NetID@northwestern.edu and NetID password. Accept the certificate. If automatic fails, use manual configuration in Network and Sharing Center.
How to Connect to Eduroam on a macOS Laptop?
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, select "eduroam," and enter your NetID@northwestern.edu and NetID password. Accept the certificate. If issues persist, try deleting WPA/WPA2/802.1x/Northwestern entries from Keychain Access.
How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on My Device?
For Windows, go to Wi-Fi settings > Manage known networks, select "eduroam," and click "Forget." For macOS, go to System Settings/Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced, select "eduroam" under "Preferred Networks," and click the minus sign (-). For Android/iOS, tap the gear/info icon next to "eduroam" in Wi-Fi settings and select "Forget" or "Remove This Network."
How to Troubleshoot Eduroam Connection Issues After a Password Change?
Forget the "eduroam" network on your device, restart, and then attempt to reconnect with your new NetID password. On macOS, you might also need to delete old password entries from Keychain Access.
How to Get Help if I Cannot Connect to Eduroam?
Contact Northwestern IT Services. Their contact information (phone, email, walk-in support) is available on the official Northwestern IT website.
How to Connect Gaming Consoles or Smart Devices to Northwestern Wi-Fi?
Gaming consoles, smart TVs, and other non-standard devices often cannot connect to eduroam directly. Northwestern usually has a separate network, such as "Device-Northwestern," specifically for these types of devices, which typically requires MAC address registration through a web portal. Consult Northwestern IT's website for specific instructions on Device-Northwestern.
How to Use Eduroam if I Am a Visitor to Northwestern?
As a visitor from another eduroam-participating institution, use the username and password provided by your home institution, making sure to include your home institution's domain in the username (e.g., yourusername@youruniversity.edu). Northwestern cannot troubleshoot issues with your home institution's credentials.
