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WiFi Options for patrons using the UC Berkeley Libraries

WiFi Access in the UC Berkeley Libraries

There are a number of ways to access WiFi networks while using the University of California, Berkeley Libraries. Depending on the user's status, these services can wirelessly connect users to licensed library resources as well as the full range of publicly available internet resources.

Overview of WiFi Options Available at the Library

Patrons using the UC Berkeley Libraries, depending on their status, have a variety of options for accessing Campus WiFi networks. Below is a brief listing:

  • UCB students, faculty and staff use eduroam WiFi. A CalNet ID and WiFi key are required to set up a connection. Access to licensed library resources is available via eduroam.
  • Visiting scholars who are registered with the Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program obtain a CalNet ID from a sponsoring department to access eduroam WiFi . Access to licensed library resources is available via eduroam.
  • Students, researchers and staff from other educational institutions use eduroam WiFi which allows researchers from participating institutions campus Internet connectivity. Access to licensed library resources is available via eduroam.
  • General Public including Cal Alumni use Berkeley-Visitor which is available for visitors to campus. No password required. Access to licensed library resources is not available via Berkeley-Visitor.

Using Eduroam

 

Eduroam WiFi Logoeduroam (education roaming) is world-wide roaming access service that  allows students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions.

To use eduroam on the UC Berkeley Campus, you must create an Wi-Fi Key and configure your computer by following these steps:

1. Use your CalNet ID to create Wi-Fi key - If you already have a Wi-Fi key you can skip this step. To create a key, use your CalNet Passphrase to log into the WiFi Keys website and follow the instructions provided.

2. Configure your device or computer - Connect to the eduroam SSID, and provide your CalNet ID @berkeley.edu as the user name, for example if your CalNet ID is oski, you would enter "oski@berkeley.edu." Enter your WiFi Key as the password. Once you have done this, your device should automatically use eduroam whenever you are at an institution that provides it. Visit eduroam.org for more information about this service.

3. Accept an SSL certificate for wireless-auth.berkeley.edu - To keep our wireless network secure, authentication for eduroam is protected by an SSL certificate. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and an SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website's identity and enables an encrypted connection. These certificates must be renewed each year. You may need to provide your approval before the certificate is accepted, allowing you to connect to Wi-Fi. See the campus Wi-Fi Services page for more information.

For assistance in using eduroam contact: IST Support.

Using Berkeley-Visitor

Berkeley-Visitor provides a basic level of WiFi access for those without a CalNet ID. This free service is intended to support the Internet access needs of campus visitors. You can access Berkeley-Visitor by selecting it from the list of available networks and accepting the terms of service page.

Berkeley-Visitor allows visitors to access their email and the Internet but does not allow access to licensed library resources. Visitors must continue to use the public PCs in the libraries to access licensed databases and journals.

Learn more about Berkeley-Visitor.

Other WiFi Services at the Library

WiFi Printing at the Library.

Browzine- a service for accessing current issues of scholarly journals licensed by the Library.

Support for Berkeley-Visitor

UC Berkeley provides Berkeley-Visitor as a convenience to visitors. No support is offered for devices or users with difficulty accessing the service. Any malicious activities on the network will result in the offending device being permanently banned from the network. Compromised devices (infected with viruses or other malware) will also be permanently banned. Bans are automatically implemented and can not be revoked.

Because Berkeley-Visitor is a public network it should not be used for any type of sensitive data. SSL, VPNs and other encryption technologies may be used by client devices to improve confidentiality of data sent via this network.