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Wireless and mobile computing (WiFi)

You can access the internet on your mobile device via a wireless (WiFi) network that serves many areas of Birkbeck. There are two ways of connecting: Eduroam and BBK-guest. Printing is also available if you are connected wirelessly. Read our Wireless Network Policy.

If you have a problem with accessing WiFi and need support, or wish to provide feedback on the coverage across Birkbeck, please contact us using Ask. Birkbeck staff should raise an Ask request in My Birkbeck for Staff.

EDUROAM

Eduroam is an international service that allows staff and students at participating educational organisations to connect to the internet.

You need to initially configure eduroam with your Birkbeck credentials before you can start using it (see below), but, once configured, the service will work automatically at any eduroam location around the world. 

Some Birkbeck services, such as printing, will only work via the virtual private network (VPN).

HOW TO CONNECT TO EDUROAM FOR BIRKBECK STAFF AND STUDENTS

  • You need to download and run an installer for your device (see below) before you can connect to eduroam. When you run the installer it will download a security certificate. 
  • You can run the installer while connected to eduroam (if you need to upgrade), or from a broadband or 3G/4G connection. 
  • For installers and detailed instructions:
    • students should log in to My Birkbeck and under the 'Manage' menu go to 'My Software'
    • staff should login to My Birkbeck for Staff and will find installers under the 'My' menu.
  • Alternatively you can download an installer from the eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool (CAT). Select your country (on mobile devices) and your institution. The page will automatically detect your operating system and download the correct installer for your device when prompted.
  • Please note: to login to the eduroam network you need to use username@bbk.ac.uk (replacing username with your Birkbeck username) and your normal password.

HOW TO CONNECT TO EDUROAM FOR VISITORS

  • Visitors to Birkbeck from other eduroam institutions should be automatically connected to the network if they have a configured device.
  • Please contact your home institution for support with eduroam, but below are some general instructions that might be of assistance:
    • Visit the eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool (CAT) to begin the installation. Select your country (on mobile devices) and your institution. The page will automatically detect your operating system and download the correct installer for your device when prompted.
    • If you are reinstalling, you should remove the old eduroam profile from your IOS or Android device before proceeding.
  • If you are not from an eduroam institution, you should use the BBK-Guest network instead.

 

GUEST WIFI

The BBK-Guest WiFi network is for guest users who need temporary access for conferences and events. It can also be used to set up your device for eduroam.

HOW TO ARRANGE ACCESS AT YOUR CONFERENCE

  • Birkbeck staff organising conferences and events can request guest accounts for use by their delegates.
  • These accounts are time-limited and are set up by ITS (for Birkbeck staff) or the Room Bookings Team (for external organisations), in advance of the conference.

HOW TO CONNECT AS A DELEGATE OR VISITOR

  • Conference delegates should connect to the BBK-Guest wireless network, review and confirm acceptance of Birkbeck's wireless policy, and then can log in using the time-limited account provided. Read our registration instructions.
  • Visitors to Birkbeck can make a request to access the network, authorised by a sponsor in the department they are visiting. Any Birkbeck staff wishing to be set up as a sponsor should raise an Ask request in My Birkbeck for Staff.


EDUROAM INSTALLERS

There are installers available for a number of common operating systems. These need to be configured before trying to connect to the eduroam network at Birkbeck, as the installer and certificate need to be downloaded from the network.

Please note the following

  • You can run the installer while connected to eduroam (if you need to upgrade), from a broadband or 3G connection or from the BBK-Guest wireless network. From Apple devices, use the Safari web browser.
  • Remember that your eduroam login account is always <username>@bbk.ac.uk (eg ubzz123@bbk.ac.uk).
  • The installers below are only for Birkbeck staff and students. Visitors to Birkbeck who would like to connect to eduroam should follow instructions provided by their own institution.
  • If you are reinstalling, you should remove the old eduroam profile from IOS or Android devices before proceeding.
  • You can also get these installers from the CAT Eduroam site. 
  • Please see the Eduroam website for more information.

Microsoft Windows installers

  • The eduroam installer will be in the form of an EXE file. It will configure eduroam on your device, by creating wireless network profiles.
  • When you click the download button, the installer will be saved by your browser. Copy it to the machine you want to configure and execute.
  • When you are connecting to the network for the first time, Windows will pop up a login box, where you should enter your eduroam login account (remember, this is always <username>@bbk.ac.uk eg ubzz123@bbk.ac.uk) and password. This information will be saved so that you will reconnect to the network automatically each time you are in the range.
  • Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP are no longer supported
  • Microsoft Windows 10
  • Microsoft Windows 8
  • Microsoft Windows 7

Apple MACOS and IOS installers

Android installers

Chrome OS installers

  • After downloading the file, open the Chrome browser and browse to this URL: chrome://net-internals/#chromeos.
  • Then, use the 'Import ONC file' button.
  • The import is silent; the new network definitions will be added to the preferred networks.
  • Chrome OS

Linux installer

  • The installer is in the form of a python script. It will try to configure eduroam under Network Manager and, if this is either not appropriate for your system or your version of Network Manager is too old, a wpa_supplicant config file will be created instead.
  • The installer will create .cat_installer sub-directory in your home directory and will copy your server certificates there.
  • You will be requested to enter your account credentials during the installation  (remember, this is always <username>@bbk.ac.uk eg ubzz123@bbk.ac.uk). This information will be saved so that you will reconnect to the network automatically each time you are in range.
  • Linux python script