Internet in your campus bedroom

Overview

Connecting to the internet in your campus bedroom is a little different from home. Follow this guide to get set up quickly and reliably.

Internet services in your bedroom

  • Eduroam Wi-Fi: Students should always connect to eduroam – it’s the fastest and most secure service on campus. 
  • Wired connection: Every campus bedroom has a wired socket, which is often even faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.

How to connect your device

The quickest way to set up both Wi-Fi and wired internet on your device is with an Ethernet cable.

Once complete, you’ll have a working wired connection and will automatically join eduroam Wi-Fi when you unplug.

Need help? If your wall socket isn’t working or the cable doesn’t fit, contact IT Support.

  • Run the setup tool on each device.
  • Log in to eduroam with your Kent IT Account in this format: username@kent.ac.uk (e.g. abc1@kent.ac.uk).

Can’t use the setup tool?

  • Printers must connect via USB cable – they can’t join the Wi-Fi.
  • Turn off the printer’s Wi-Fi, otherwise it can slow down your room’s connection.

  • You need to register your TV before using it online.
  • Once registered, connect your TV with an Ethernet cable (wired connection).

How to register:

  • Find your TV’s wired MAC address (in your TV’s settings).
  • Register your TV here.
  • Plug it into your room’s Ethernet socket.

You can play multiplayer games in your accommodation and use online services like Xbox Live.

  • Most consoles work with a wired Ethernet connection.
  • Nintendo consoles need a LAN adapter (they don’t work on eduroam Wi-Fi).

How to connect your console

1. Find the wired MAC address in your console’s settings.

2. Register your console here.

3. Plug into your room’s Ethernet socket. If you have two sockets and one doesn’t work, contact IT Support.

Important notes

  • Console support is on a best-efforts basis – we can’t guarantee full troubleshooting.
  • Some online services are restricted for security reasons.

Wireless-only smart speakers (like Amazon Echo or Google Home) and streaming devices (such as Firestick or Chromecast) do not work in campus accommodation because the University Wi-Fi network requires security settings they don’t support.

If your device has a wired connection option, you may be able to use it by:

1. Finding the device’s wired MAC address.

2. Registering it here.

3. Connecting via an Ethernet cable.

⚠️ Most modern smart speakers do not have wired ports, please check your device before bringing/purchasing for use in in your campus bedroom.

Not for use in campus bedrooms

  • Wi-Fi Guest: This network (provided by The Cloud) is for visitors only. It is slower and less secure than Eduroam Wi-Fi. If you need help to 'forget Wi-Fi Guest' on your device, follow these instructions to make eduroam your default Wi-Fi network 
  • Personal routers or hotspots: Please do not use a wireless router as it can affect the Wi-Fi speed for you and your neighbours.  
  • 'Wireless-only' smart speakers and streaming devices: these do not work in campus accommodation because our Wi-Fi network requires security settings they don’t support. Unfortunatly, most modern smart speakers lack wired ports, so check your device before bringing or buying it.

Connection speeds and access

In campus bedrooms, you can access:

  • The internet, including outgoing TCP and UDP connections (with a few restrictions that we put in place for security reasons)
  • Video and phone services (eg. Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
  • TV and radio streaming and catch-up services (eg. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc).
  • University IT resources such as your files and student printers

Occasionally, services may be withdrawn at short notice for security reasons.  

Connection Speed:

  • Wired: consistent 90Mbps or faster.
  • Wi-Fi: usually 20Mbps or more (varies by location, device and time of day).

If speeds are slow, try our Wi-Fi tips or get in touch for support.

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