Wireless internet access – eduroam
Modern communication is wireless, but the fact remains that we still like to meet physically. eduroam guarantees easy and secure access to wireless internet at affiliated institutions worldwide – without re-entering login details.
The exchange of knowledge across borders is a prerequisite for innovation and development in most fields. Much of the collaboration between students and researchers can take place through good internet solutions, yet physical meetings are still indispensable for many. Employees and students in the research and education travel to make contacts, to acquire knowledge, and to exchange experiences.
eduroam – education roaming
With eduroam – education roaming – users are automatically connected to the wireless internet at affiliated institutions, without re-entering usernames and passwords.
The connection to the wireless guest network works as easily and securely as at the home institution. Simple login provides quick access – thus, eduroam facilitates collaboration across institutions in research and education, both nationally and internationally.
Sikt is responsible for providing the service to research and education in Norway. eduroam is part of the basic package from Sikt, it currently has 450 connection points in Norway, and is available in over 100 countries.
About eduroam
Is eduroam reliable?
The reliability of the service largely depends on the cooperating institutions that offer the service, as well as the national infrastructure for authentication.
Sikt is responsible for the national infrastructure for authentication in Norway (RADIUS proxy servers). The national servers are located at different physical locations and are monitored around the clock by both Sikt and the eduroam Operations Team at the European level.
Sikt represents its customers in the international forum eduroam steering group.
Secure guest network
eduroam makes affiliated institutions attractive meeting places because the security of the wireless guest network is ensured and the connection is seamless.
The solution minimizes the work for the network manager at the institution as it is no longer necessary to create temporary access for visitors affiliated with the eduroam family. For guests from institutions that do not offer eduroam, wifi is made available through Wireless Guest Network from Sikt.
When using eduroam, users' login details are only communicated to the home institution, and both the network manager and users can be assured that the security of the wireless network is maintained by the best existing solutions for encryption and authentication.
Offering eduroam
The service demands that the institution has a local 802.1X solution in place, which can be used to provide a solution for secure wireless connection for users and to protect the wired network from unauthorized units.
802.1X is an important component in Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which is promoted and certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. It is supported by a rapidly increasing number of products and clients, and is an important step towards making wireless networks secure.
By leveraging the opportunities offered by RADIUS, base stations, and switches, the user can be dynamically placed on a specific VLAN. Using the same login profile, a user can be placed in administrative, staff, student or guest networks according to current privileges.