Wireless - Connect Home Devices to the OSU_Unsecured Network

Issue/Question

• I live in OSU housing and have a networked device that cannot connect to OSU_Secure or Eduroam; how do I connect my device to the OSU network?

Environment

• Oregon State University
• Wireless Network
• Housing Resident

Explanation

As of Fall 2018, OSU has begun turning off unsecured wireless networks in favor of using OSU_Secure or Eduroam.

However, some devices cannot connect to OSU_Secure or Eduroam because they do not support WPA2 Enterprise. 

The OSU_Unsecured network is available in residence halls only to allow consumer devices such as Rokus, smart home assistants and some game consoles to gain network access. It is not a UHDS service, however.

Please note that devices connected to OSU_Unsecured cannot access OSU resources. Computers should be configured to connect to Eduroam or OSU_Secure instead.

Resolution

To connect your consumer device to the OSU_Unsecured network in residence halls, follow these steps:

1. From a computer on the OSU network, go to https://selfreg.nws.oregonstate.edu
2. Login with your OSU username and password
3. Read and accept the OSU Wireless Network Use Policy.
4. On the next screen, enter in a name for your device and its hardware mac address (It should look like this “00:60:08:9A:42:AD”). For help finding your hardware mac address, see our hardware mac address articles.
5. Click Register to submit your changes. 
6. Wait about 15 minutes for your device to be registered.
7. Congratulations! Your device is now registered permanently on the OSU_Unsecured network.

Still have trouble connecting? 

If the device has been connected before the register goes live, the device may get stuck behind the captive portal and won't get released. If this is the case follow these steps:

1.  Completely turn off the device and unplug the device from power. (Making sure it's off and not sleeping)
2.  Wait about 2 hours then turn off the device and try connecting to WIFI again 

If the device is a smart speaker. You may need to add or register the device to your phone using a WiFI HotSpot or other network first. Then add the device to OSU_Unsecured network.

For assistance, contact the IS Service Desk.