Connecting Personal Devices to 'uorstudent' wi-fi network or the ResNET

Audience

Whilst useful for all authorized users wishing to connect personal devices to university networks, this troubleshooting guide is specifically aimed at students wishing to connect to the ‘uorstudent’ wi-fi network or the ResNET wired network available in campus accommodations.

It is also particularly relevant to international students who may need to make changes to specific settings on their devices before their devices are able to connect to UR networks.

Getting Online

To connect your personal your personal devices to the university networks, the following is mandatory:

The date and time of your device must be set to United Kingdom. Please see below on how to check for Windows and Apple devices.
You cannot connect to a university wi-fi network if you have an active Virtual Private Network (VPN) - turn VPN’s off until after you have successfully connected to the network then switch the VPN on again.
Your devices cannot be set to use a static IP address or DNS Server setting. Please see below on how to check/remove these settings on Windows and Apple devices.
If you are in accommodation and intend to use a dongle to connect your device (including smart speakers, gaming consoles and smart TV’s) via an ethernet cable to the ResNET wired network in your room, please ensure it is installed, and configured before connecting to the network.
If you have a Apple device and are considering buying an ethernet adaptor, check the reviews to ensure it works with a Mac. Many cheaper adaptors on e.g. Amazon often don’t work, whereas the UGREEN brand seem to be better. Service Desk can advise.

Please Note:

Occasionally you may suffer slow connections, particularly at busy times. Wi-Fi has a limited capacity which is shared equally by all users. The university may sometimes slow down certain kinds of internet traffic that's non-academic in nature, in order to ensure a fair service is provided to everyone.
For example, if there are twenty devices connected to one Access Point, each device will get roughly an equal share of the total available. We have a program underway to upgrade our Wi-Fi, in the meantime, you may be able to improve your connection by either:
1. Moving to a quieter location, or
2. Stopping network intensive applications (for example, BBC iPlayer, Netflix) whilst using the wireless service.
You can also connect to the internet with an Ethernet cable - please see here for more information: https://servicedesk.roehampton.ac.uk/support/solutions/articles/50000164138
Wireless adapters are not professional measuring tools and may report inaccurate signal strength (i.e., reporting excellent signal strength when it is in fact poor etc).
Whilst we do not support personal devices, we will endeavour to provide appropriate advice and guidance.

Changing Time Zone Settings

Windows Devices

In Date & time, you can choose to let Windows 10 set your time and time zone automatically or manually.
To set your time and time zone in Windows 10, go to Start -> Settings -> Time & language -> Date & time.
Make sure that the time-zone setting is set to the following:

Graphical user interface

Description automatically generated

Apple Devices

On your Mac, choose Apple menu -> System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Date & Time on the right. (You may need to scroll down.)
Set the date and time automatically or manually. (Automatically: Turn on “Set time and date automatically”, click Set, then enter a time server for your region (e.g. time.euro.apple.com) . Make sure this is set to the UK date and Time zone)

Removing Static IP and DNS server settings

Windows Devices

Go to the Control Panel.
Click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Centre > Change adapter settings.
Right-click the Wi-Fi/Ethernet interface(s) and select Properties.
Select the Networking tab. Under This connection uses the following items, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click Properties.
Please make sure that under this page there are no IP addresses set, and should appear as the following: (If there are any IP addresses specified under the IP address and DNS server settings please remove them and click OK.

Apple Devices

Static IP address:

On your Mac, choose Apple menu -> System Settings, then click Network icon in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Click the network connection you want to use on the right, then click Advanced (or Details if using Wi-Fi).
Click TCP/IP. (Click the Configure IPv4 pop-up menu, then choose the DHCP option),

Static DNS

System Preferences.
Network.
Click Advanced.
Click the DNS tab. (If there are any IP addresses under this section click on the IP addresses showing and select the little - minus sign at the lower left to remove the static entries).