WiFi
Staff and students can get access to the Internet and UC network via the UC wi-fi. On this page, you will find self-help information about how to access it.
Overview
This article covers:
- Available WiFi networks on campus
- Coverage
- Cass Field Station
- Mt John Observatory
- Manawa (UCwireless only)
- Reading Recovery Centre
- UC Nelson Centre
- Westport Field Station
- Performance Considerations
- Wireless performance tips and recommendations
- Wireless Safety Policy
Available WiFi networks on campus
Below are the available WiFi options to connect your device on campus.
| WiFi Name | Description |
|---|---|
| UCwireless | The default network for undergraduate students. Staff and postgraduate students may also connect to this network but won't be able to roam to other educational institutes that the eduroam wireless network offers. |
| eduroam | The preferred network for postgraduate students and staff. It also allows postgraduate students and staff to use the eduroam wireless networks at other participating educational institutions. See the eduroam page for more information on eduroam configuration and policies. |
| UCvisitor | This network is for short term wireless access for visitors to University of Canterbury. It is also an open, unencrypted, limited service network. |
Coverage
To use the UC wireless networks you must be in range of a wireless access point. All UC campus buildings have extensive coverage including many outside communal areas.
The following remote sites also have wireless coverage:
Performance Considerations
WiFi does not provide as much reliability and performance as a wired connection (Ethernet) and it is difficult to deliver WiFi to a large number of clients. You can expect a good experience for low-to-medium bandwidth applications in areas where there are fewer users.
Wireless networks are shared networks. This means that the more wireless users in an area, the slower the network will perform for all users. Due to technical limits, ITS cannot guarantee reliable WiFi service for devices in areas such as large, crowded lecture theatres, or open areas such as the lower levels of the central library.
Wireless performance tips and recommendations
Here are a few tips for maximising your wireless experience
Turn off wireless connections when not in use
When on campus, we suggest turning off the wireless function in your device when you don't need it. This will extend the battery life on your device and you won't accidentally use your internet quota. You need a positive IT account balance to access the internet on campus.
Use a wired connection to transfer large amounts of data
If you want to transfer more than 1GB of data, consider using a wired internet connection (Ethernet) rather than wireless.
Limit the use of Bluetooth
Devices using Bluetooth share the same frequencies as 2.4GHz WiFi so excessive Bluetooth usage can affect WiFi performance.
Using your mobile device for tethering or as a mobile hotspot is discouraged
Do not configure or activate any personal hotspots or ad-hoc wireless networks on your wireless devices as this will share the same frequencies as the university WiFi and will reduce the performance of the WiFi networks in the area.
Is your wireless driver software up to date?
Check you are running the most up to date wireless driver for your wireless device. This may improve performance and reliability. If you would like help with this, visit the IT Service Desk and we'll try to assist.
Wireless Safety Policy
Safety of WiFi signals
WiFi frequency bands are frequency ranges within the wireless spectrum that are designated to carry WiFi: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Exposures to WiFi signals in New Zealand schools, both from the access points and devices, are very low. On this basis WiFi in schools does not pose a health risk to children or staff.
Further information can be found on the Ministry of Health website.
Still Need Help?
For urgent support, please contact us.
For non-urgent support, please log a ticket.
You can connect to the internet from most UC halls of residence via WiFi or wired (Ethernet) connections.
Overview
This article covers:
- WiFi
- UCwireless
- eduroam
- Wired LAN Connection (Ethernet)
- Having trouble connecting?
- Ensure your device's wired interface is configured to obtain its IP address and DNS server settings via DHCP
- If you are still having issues contact us with the name of your building and the label of the outlet you are trying to connect to
WiFi
WiFi networks available in all halls are:
See the wireless networking page for more information on wireless configuration, performance tips and coverage.
Wired LAN Connection (Ethernet)
Broadband internet using a wired (Ethernet) connection is provided by 2degrees Broadband. UC halls bedrooms in the following residences have computer network outlets:
How to connect to Ethernet
Connect your computer to the network outlet in your room using an Ethernet cable. Some rooms may have two outlets but generally only one will be live - if you cannot successfully connect to one outlet then please try the other one. Once connected you should have access to the internet and most UC resources.
Having trouble connecting?
Still Need Help?
For urgent support, please contact us.
For non-urgent support, please log a ticket.
This page provides all the information on the UCwireless WiFi network. This is default network for undergraduate students.
Staff and postgraduate students may also connect to this network but won't be able to roam to other educational institutes that the eduroam wireless network offers.
Overview
This article covers:
- Connecting to UCwireless - Windows 10
- Connecting to UCwireless - MacOS
- Connecting to UCwireless - iOS
- Connecting to UCwireless - Android
- UC Wireless - Manual Configuration Settings
Connecting to UCwireless - Windows 10
1. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the Taskbar (bottom right-hand corner of your screen).
2. Select the UCwireless network and click on Connect.
3. Click on Connect.
4. Enter your UC username and password. Click OK
Connecting to UCwireless - MacOS
1. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the Taskbar (Top right-hand corner of your screen).
2. Select the UCwireless network.
3. Enter your UC username and password. Click Join
Connecting to UCwireless - iOS
1. From your “Home” screen, go to “Settings” > Wifi.
2. Turn on Wifi. Your device will automatically search for the available Wifi networks.
3. Tap the name of the Wifi network (UCwireless) that you want to join.
4. Name / Identity: Use your UC usercode for example, abc123.
5. Password: Use your UC password.
6. Click “Join”.
After you join the network, you'll see a tick icon next to the network and a wifi icon in the upper corner of your display.
Connecting to UCwireless - Android
1. On the “Home” screen, press the “Apps” button then navigate to “Settings”.
2. Depending on your Android version, under “Network Connections” or “Wireless and Networks” make sure “WiFi” is turned on.
3. In the list of available networks under “WiFi networks” section, tap on “UCwireless”.
Click on EAP dropdown and choose PEAP.
Click on Phase 2 authentication dropdown and choose MSCHAPV2.
Accept default settings for the other boxes.
Identity: Your UC usercode E.g. abc123.
Password: Your UC password.
Click “Connect”.
Note: For the newer versions of Android, the “connect” option may be greyed out preventing connection. If this happens, click on the CA certificate dropdown and choose not to use a certificate.
UC Wireless - Manual Configuration Settings
If you have any problems connecting, use the configuration settings in the table below. You will need your username and password to connect to UCwireless.
If you have forgotten your password or would like help configuring your device, contact the .
| Configuration instructions | |
| SSID | UCwireless |
| Security method | WPA2 Enterprise |
| Encryption type | AES |
| EAP type and authentication method | EAP-TTLS with PAP (preferred) or EAP-PEAP with MSCHAPv2 (if EAP-TTLS with PAP is not supported) |
| Trusted certificate | DigiCert Global Root CA (root) and Thawte RSA CA 2018 (intermediate) |
Still Need Help?
For urgent support, please contact us.
For non-urgent support, please log a ticket.
Eduroam stands for EDUcation ROAMing. It allows UC staff and postgraduate students to use the eduroam network on the UC campus.
UC staff and all UC students are able to login to eduroam at other participating institutions using their IT account. It also allows users from other participating academic institutions to connect to UC wireless using their authentication credentials from their own institution.
Overview
This article covers:
- Connecting to Eduroam
- Please note for visitors to University of Canterbury using eduroam i.e. not using UC credentials you will only have limited access to UC resources such as internet, learn etc
- If you cannot connect automatically to eduroam, use the the following setttings to manually configure your wireless connection.
Connecting to Eduroam
| Configuration instructions | for Iphones, Ipads, Laptops, etc |
| User name | UC username |
| Password | Use your normal UC password |
| Configuration instructions | for Android phones |
|
EAP method and Phase-2 Authentication |
TTLS (Phase 2 PAP) (preferred) or PEAP (Phase 2: MSCHAPv2) |
| CA certificate | Select "Do not validate" |
| User name | UC username |
Authentication information and traffic is recorded by IT Services and your home organisation in case of network abuse and for statistical purposes. For more information on the use of eduroam, including links to where it is available, visit the global eduroam website.
The use of eduroam is governed by the New Zealand Eduroam Policy and the University of Canterbury Internet Usage Policy. For visitors to UC the Acceptable Use Policy of your home institution also applies.
Still Need Help?
For urgent support, please contact us.
For non-urgent support, please log a ticket.
If you need to access a system or service on campus that requires a root certificate, and you are not using a university owned computer, you may need to install the UC root certificate on your computer.
Overview
This article covers:
- Download UC Root Certificate
Download UC Root Certificate
UC uses its own internal Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). The corresponding root certificate is currently installed on all UC Windows domain network joined computers (Domain: UOCNT) and manually installed on other operating systems (Apple Mac and Linux).
Download the UC root certificate.
If you need help installing the certificate file, please contact .
Still Need Help?
For urgent support, please contact us.
For non-urgent support, please log a ticket.
UC offer free temporary internet usage for any visitors on campus who need to connect to the internet.
Overview
This article covers:
- Connecting to UCvisitor WiFi
- Select the UCvisitor network from your wifi icons or settings and click connect. This will open the UCvisitor webpage in your default browser asking you to enter your username and password - leave these blank (you do not have these details yet).
- On the lower section of this web page, select the register button then enter your name, cellphone number and email address.
- Read and accept the terms of use by selecting the radio button next to 'I accept terms of use' and then select register button.
- Select Login link. The username will automatically show the email address you entered previously, if not please enter your email address.
- Please enter the password you received via the SMS text message and select login button.
- Requesting Access to the Visitor WiFi for guests
Connecting to UCvisitor WiFi
Requesting Access to the Visitor WiFi for guests
Visitors whose stay on campus is less than four weeks may obtain a UCvisitor guest account by getting the department that they are visiting to sponsor them.
Staff can also request a UCvisitor guest account for conferences. Only one UCvisitor guest account needs to be generated for a conference as the one conference account can be used by all conference attendees.
Still Need Help?
For urgent support, please contact us.
For non-urgent support, please log a ticket.