Frequently asked questions about eduroam@brookes
Who can use eduroam@brookes?
What is my eduroam@brookes UserID?
What is my eduroam@brookes password?
Can I print when using eduroam@brookes?
How can I access my files?
Why is my connection slow?
Why does it keep asking for my log in details?
Where can I get a good wireless signal?
How can I use eduroam services at other institutions?
How can I disable eduroam@brookes?
My question is not listed, where can I get more information?
Who can use eduroam@brookes?
eduroam@brookes is available for all members of Brookes staff and students. Students must be fully enrolled. Registration is required for use of the service. External temporary student accounts (those beginning with the numbers 55) are not eligible.
If you are an Eduroam user from another institution you can connect to the Brookes service if you have enabled roaming access (contact your institutions IT support for more information).
What is my eduroam@brookes UserID?
Your UserID is composed of two parts: your Brookes usernumber (as it appears on your ID card) and a realm suffix. Eduroam uses realms to identify the institution you are affiliated with, this enables you to use Eduroam access at other locations. Brookes currently uses two realms to distinguish its users.
- If you are a member of staff that uses the BrookesMIS systems your realm will be @cis.brookes.ac.uk
- All other members of staff and students use the realm @brookes.ac.uk
Therefore your eduroam@brookes UserID will look something like:
- 01234567@brookes.ac.uk for students
- p0012345@cis.brookes.ac.uk for BrookesMIS staff
- p0012345@brookes.ac.uk for all other staff
Note: the @brookes.ac.uk is just a shortened form of the realm suffix @acs.brookes.ac.uk so if you see it displayed with the 'acs' part do not worry - it is still your UserID.
What is my eduroam@brookes password?
Staff who use the BrookesMIS systems, who are using the @cis.brookes.ac.uk realm, should use their BrookesMIS password.
All other users should use
their BrookesF domain password. This is the normal PC Network log on password used for pooled room computers.
Students and staff who use the pooled room computers should use exactly the same password for eduroam@brookes.
Staff in schools may log in to computers using different systems to BrookesF. If you are unsure you should contact your IT Support staff who can advise you.
Tip: If in doubt try your email or PIP password. While your passwords can be different for each service if you change them through you PIP page you can opt to use the same password for each one - so they are quite likely to be set to the same thing as your BrookesF PC Network password even if you have never used it for accessing computers!
Can I print when using eduroam@brookes?
No. Currently eduroam@brookes does not allow you to connect to the central print services. The level of access and the range of facilities available are very similar to that used for WanderNet and off-campus users. More facilities may be made available in the future.
How can I access my files?
You cannot access centrally stored files directly as you would from a wired pooled room computer. However, you can access your H: drive in the same way that off-site users do. Please see the following guide:
| How to access your files off-campus |  |
 |
Why is my connection slow?
There are many reasons why a network connection, wireless or wired, can feel slow. It may be a slow response from the site you are connecting to or background processes using your connection (eg downloading anti-virus updates). However, wireless connections are prone to a few other factors that may influence the perceived integrity of the connection.
- Out of signal range. As you are using a mobile platform it is easy to move in and out of range frequently. Your computer will try to compensate by retrying to access a requested page periodically. This may give the appearance that the connection is slow when it is just a timing issue where your computer is waiting to request the page again when the signal strength varies.
- Interference and congestion. A wireless signal is very much like a radio wave and is influenced by external factors such as walls, electrical equipment and changes in the weather. While these fluctuations are not usually noticeable over a short space of time they can cause disruption on occasions.
A wireless connection is also 'shared' in that there is a given capacity (the bandwidth) available from each access point (node). Naturally if more people use the same access point over time then the bandwidth available to each user may be reduced (this is particularly true if one, or more, users are downloading excessively large files or otherwise 'abusing' the connection). - Wireless is slow. Depending on your hardware (your wireless network card) you will typically be connecting at a maximum of 11Mbs (megabits, not bytes, per second) for 802.11b or 54Mbs for 802.11g which is much slower than the 100Mbs of an ideal wired (ethernet) connection.
Why does it keep asking for my log in details?
As you move in and out of strong signal areas your computer may lose the connection altogether. When it tries to reinstate the connection it may require your userID and password again. Many computers will give the option to save, or remember, your log on details.
Where can I get a good wireless signal?
There are access points available at locations on all Brookes campuses. Refer to the wireless maps page to help you find locations where the signal strength will be strong and consistent.
How can I use eduroam services at other institutions?
To access eduroam services at any other participating location you must have registered with the eduroam@brookes service and have selected to enable Full Roaming Access (you will also need to have agreed to the JANET acceptable usage policy). You do not need to alter any other settings. When you are at another institution, and you try to connect to their eduroam service, they will send your details back to Brookes to check your UserID and password and if Brookes authenticate them you will join their network automatically.
How can I disable eduroam@brookes?
You may wish to disable access to eduroam@brookes if you wish to limit network access (eg if you are lending your laptop to someone else). You can do this through the eduroam@brookes registration page. Once you have logged in simply click on the 'settings' link on the left hand navigation menu and change 'Do you want to temporarily disable your eduroam@brookes profile?' to a ticked checkbox. Click Submit and then Confirm to save the changes. Your details will then not be able to be used to connect to eduroam@brookes. To restore access use the same 'settings' page and change the disable option to unticked.
My question is not listed, where can I get more information?
For general information about the wireless service including maps of wireless coverage and instructions for getting your computer setup for Brookes wireless please see our wireless pages.
For help with connection problems:
Contact the Service Desk on 01865 483311, or internal extension 3311, or email servicedesk@brookes.ac.uk
For general advice contact the Service Desk on 01865 483311, or internal extension 3311, or email servicedesk@brookes.ac.uk.