Network Roaming Service
The campus Network Roaming Service allows staff and students to access the University computer network from laptops, PDAs and other portable devices across a number of locations around the campus. You can do this either wirelessly or by connecting to a wired point:
- Wireless Access Point - getting connected wirelessly
- Wired Roam Points - getting connected via a wired roam point
The number of locations supported by the roaming service is increasing on an almost daily basis and so it is worth checking the roaming service locations page to see the latest on where such access is available (please note that, at present, the roaming network service does not extend to Halls of Residence). As well as through user authentication, security is maintained by restricting access over this service to protocols/applications that have added, appropriately built-in security to help prevent the compromising of user data or University services; these are outlined on the access restrictions page.
Note: access to the network roaming service is gained via the use of a valid central services username/password.
Going Wireless
The University of Manchester is WiFi compliant (also known as the 802.11a/b/g standard), which is integrated into most recent laptops and PDAs, or may be installed as an inexpensive PCMCIA card .
Use of the wireless network is available free of charge to all members of The University of Manchester and its visitors.
In parallel with developments in wireless networking on campus, you might wish to look at The Cloud, a commercial wireless ISP with whom the University has cooperated. Thanks to The Cloud, you can now access the Internet from several conference and public spaces around campus. To find out more about their services and charges, visit www.thecloud.net. Please note that this service is not supported in any way by the University of Manchester nor is its use recommended for access to University of Manchester services unless used in conjunction with the University's VPN service; The Cloud network is completely open and insecure and so requires a VPN connection or similar to secure data traversing their network.
Guidelines for Use
The security of the campus network is a major concern, and the characteristics of wireless networks (particularly the tendency to extend beyond the physical boundaries of the buildings for which they are intended) make it necessary for us to issue a series of specific guidelines for both users of the wireless network and those considering installing a wireless Access Point(s) of their own.