Wi-Fi (Wireless Network Connectivity) Service Overview

Overview

Acadia University provides wireless network access throughout campus for students, faculty, staff, guests, and visitors from participating educational institutions.

The Wi-Fi network you should use depends on who you are, the device you are connecting, and the resources you need to access.

Acadia provides four wireless options:

• Acadia for Acadia students, faculty, staff, and other authorized account holders.
• eduroam for eligible Acadia users and visitors from participating educational institutions.
• Acadia-Guest for visitors who require basic Internet access.
• Acadia-DeviceNet for supported devices that cannot authenticate to the secure Acadia wireless network.

Which Wi-Fi network should I use?

Do not use Acadia-DeviceNet simply because it is easier to connect. Computers, tablets, and phones capable of connecting to the secure Acadia or eduroam networks should use those networks instead.

Before you begin

For Acadia or eduroam, make sure:

• Your device has working Wi-Fi.
• Your operating system and wireless drivers are up to date.
• Your device's date and time are correct.
• You have an active Acadia account if you are connecting with Acadia credentials.
• You know your current username and password.

If you have not yet activated your Acadia account, see How to set up network access. [https://hu...eDet?ID=40]

Connect to Wi-Fi

1. Acadia students, faculty, and staff

The Acadia wireless network is the primary campus network for students, faculty, and staff using computers and other compatible personal devices.

It provides Internet connectivity and access to supported Acadia resources that may not be available through the guest network.

To connect:

1. Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device.
2. Select Acadia.
3. Enter your Acadia username and password when prompted.
4. Complete any additional connection or certificate prompts required by your operating system.

For device-specific instructions, see the Index of Wi-Fi setup articles. [https://hu...tegoryID=3]

Tip: If you recently changed your Acadia password and your device no longer connects, forget or remove the saved Acadia network and configure it again using your new password.

2. eduroam

eduroam is a secure wireless roaming service for the international research and education community.

For eligible Acadia users, one advantage of configuring eduroam is that the device can also connect at other participating universities and institutions. Visitors to Acadia from participating eduroam institutions can use eduroam with credentials supplied by their home institution.

If you are visiting Acadia:

1. Configure eduroam according to the instructions provided by your home institution, preferably before travelling.
2. At Acadia, select eduroam from the available Wi-Fi networks.
3. Sign in using the credentials required by your home institution.

See eduroam: Roaming Wireless Authentication Service. [http://hub...et?ID=1012]

You can also review participating institutions through CANARIE eduroam in Canada and the global eduroam service. [https://ww...y/eduroam/] [https://ww...org/where/]

3. Campus visitors

Visitors who do not have an Acadia account or eduroam access can use Acadia-Guest for basic Internet connectivity.

To connect:

1. Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device.
2. Select Acadia-Guest.
3. Open a web browser if the registration page does not appear automatically.
4. Follow the prompts and provide the requested information.

Guest access is provided in 120-minute increments.

Acadia-Guest provides Internet access but does not provide the same access to Acadia resources as the authenticated Acadia network.

If your device continually connects to the guest network instead of your preferred network, follow the instructions to stop automatically connecting to Acadia-Guest. [https://hu...Det?ID=227]

4. Conference attendees

Conference organizers can arrange short-term wireless access for attendees.

Organizers should follow the instructions for using the Sponsored Wi-Fi portal to provide guests with Wi-Fi access. [https://hu...Det?ID=477]

Where possible, attendees whose home institution participates in eduroam should use eduroam instead.

5. Visiting lecturers, researchers, and other sponsored guests

A visitor who requires more than basic Internet access may need an Acadia guest account.

Examples include visitors who require authorized access to departmental resources, printing, library resources, or other Acadia systems.

A full-time Acadia faculty or staff member must sponsor the request. The sponsor can submit an Account Creation request. [https://hu...Det?ID=196]

After the guest has received Acadia credentials, follow the appropriate instructions in the Index of Wi-Fi setup articles. [https://hu...tegoryID=3]

Important: An Acadia account does not necessarily provide access to every university system or resource. Additional authorization may be required for restricted services.

6. Game consoles, smart TVs, and similar devices

Some devices cannot perform the authentication required by the secure Acadia wireless network.

Examples may include:

• Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
• Smart TVs.
• Roku and similar streaming devices.
• Google Home and similar smart devices.
• Other supported consumer devices that cannot authenticate to the Acadia network.

These devices can be registered for Acadia-DeviceNet.

See Internet access for gaming consoles and similar devices for registration and connection instructions. [https://hu...Det?ID=710]

Laptops, phones, and other devices capable of connecting to Acadia or eduroam should not use Acadia-DeviceNet.

Personal printers

Personal wireless printers cannot be connected to Acadia's wireless network using their normal Wi-Fi functionality.

If you have a personal printer, connect it directly to your computer using a compatible USB cable instead.

Wireless printing to a personal printer is not available in residence buildings.

This restriction applies to personal printers. Acadia's managed campus printing service is separate.

Personal routers, hotspots, and Wi-Fi boosters

Do not install or operate personal wireless routers or Wi-Fi boosters on campus. These devices can interfere with Acadia's managed wireless infrastructure and reduce service quality for nearby students, faculty, and staff.

Avoid creating a personal hotspot when normal Acadia Wi-Fi is available.

Availability

Wi-Fi is available in Acadia's administrative, academic, and residence buildings, with coverage extending to many outdoor areas of campus.

The wireless service is normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during scheduled maintenance or unplanned service interruptions.

Cost

There is no additional charge for faculty or staff to use the campus wireless service.

For students, wireless service is provided as part of the technology services supported through student fees.

Troubleshooting

Best practices

For a reliable and secure wireless connection:

• Keep your operating system and wireless drivers up to date.
• Install security updates promptly.
• Keep your device's firewall enabled.
• Keep the device's date and time synchronized.
• Use Acadia or eduroam instead of Acadia-Guest when you are eligible to do so.
• Do not install personal wireless routers or Wi-Fi boosters.
• Do not use Acadia-DeviceNet for computers or phones that can connect to Acadia or eduroam.
• Forget old saved wireless configurations when troubleshooting authentication problems.

Outcome

Your device is connected to the wireless network appropriate for your account, device type, and access requirements.

Acadia students, faculty, and staff should normally use Acadia or eduroam; visitors can use Acadia-Guest or eduroam when eligible; and supported devices that cannot authenticate normally can use Acadia-DeviceNet.

Further Reading

• Index of Wi-Fi setup articles [https://hu...tegoryID=3]
• How to set up network access [https://hu...eDet?ID=40]
• Internet access for gaming consoles and similar devices [https://hu...Det?ID=710]
• eduroam: Roaming Wireless Authentication Service [http://hub...et?ID=1012]
• Sponsored Wi-Fi access for conference guests [https://hu...Det?ID=477]

Need help?

Contact the Service Desk by submitting a ticket or by initiating a Live Chat.