Connecting a Smart device in halls

This network is for wireless smart devices which are not capable of connecting to eduroam and is only available in halls of residence.

To connect your device to the hallnet network, you'll need to generate a Pre-Shared Key (PSK). This is a unique password that allows your device to connect securely to the network.

Smart devices with mobile app setup

Some smart devices need to be set up using your mobile phone. To complete setup, your phone and the smart device must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, hallnet.

This may include:

  • Smart speakers
  • Smart displays
  • Smart plugs
  • Smart lighting and other smart appliances.

First, connect your mobile phone using the 'iPhone' or 'Android' instructions. Then follow the 'Smart device: Generate PSK' and 'Use PSK' instructions detailed below.

Smart devices with no mobile app setup

This may include:

  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices 

Some devices may offer setup through a mobile phone app, but this is usually optional.

To connect your smart device directly to the network, please follow the 'Smart device: Generate PSK' and 'Use PSK' instructions detailed below.

Not supported

Most other internet of things (IoT) devices are not designed to be able to operate on an enterprise-class network (such as eduroam), this includes Sonos speakers, wireless printers and other smart devices that do not support the WPA2-Enterprise wireless authentication. 

Smart speakers that initiate setup by creating their own temporary Wi-Fi network are not recommended, as they are not compatible with our network and are therefore unsupported.

Smart devices with mobile app setup

To use or control a smart device, your mobile phone will also need to be on the same network (hallnet) as the smart device.

Connecting your iPhone/iPad device to the hallnet Wi-Fi network

1. Open Settings, select General, and then About.

2. Scroll down to Wi-Fi Address - this is your device's MAC address and is presented in the format xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

3. Click to ‘copy’ or alternatively make a note of the address. 

4. Ensure you are connected to eduroam, then Go to the Onboarding site

5. Now paste or manually add your MAC address and add device Description e.g. ‘ iPhone 14’ and select Register.

6. If you are presented with the message "Note: PSK is only required for hallnet wifi. Ignore for wired devices"

Refresh the page to generate the Pre-Shared Key (PSK).

7. Make a note of the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) (three words linked by a hyphen). This is the password you will need to connect to the ‘hallnet’ Wi-Fi network on this and any subsequent devices.

8. Return to the home screen and open Settings, then Wi-Fi.

9. Locate and select the 'hallnet' network, and use the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) as the password for this connection.

10. Next, select the information logo (i) next to the ‘hallnet’.

11. Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address. This will disable the randomised Mac address function.

Smart devices with mobile app setup

To use or control a smart device, your mobile phone will also need to be on the same network (hallnet) as the smart device.

Connecting your Android device to the hallnet Wi-Fi network

1. Open Settings menu, scroll down and select About phone.

2. Select Status (or Hardware information).

3. Scroll down to Wi-Fi MAC Address - this is your device's MAC address and is presented in the format xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

4. Click to ‘copy’ or alternatively make a note of the address. 

5. Ensure you are connected to eduroam, then go to the Onboarding site

6. Now paste or manually add your MAC address and add device Description and select Register.

7. If you are presented with the message "Note: PSK is only required for hallnet wifi. Ignore for wired devices"

Refresh the page to generate the Pre-Shared Key (PSK).

8. Make a note of the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) (three words linked by a hyphen). This is the password you will need to connect to the ‘hallnet’ Wi-Fi network on this and any subsequent devices.

9. Return to the home screen and open Settings then Wi-Fi.

10. Locate and select the 'hallnet' Wi-Fi network, and use the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) as the password for this connection.

11. Next, Click the gear icon associated with ‘hallnet’.

12. Select Advanced and then Privacy.

13. Click, Use Device MAC. This will disable the randomised Mac address function.

Use your Mac address to generate the Pre-Shared Key (PSK)

1. Locate the MAC address of your smart device. 

Your device's MAC address can usually be found in one of these places:

    • In the device's app under Settings or About.
    • On the device packaging or quick start guide.
    • In the device's Wi-Fi or Network settings.
    • During the Wi-Fi setup process on some devices.

Tip: The MAC address may also be called a Wi-Fi Address, Hardware Address, or Physical Address.

2. Click to ‘copy’ or alternatively make a note of the address.

3. Ensure the device you are using to set up hallnet is connected to eduroam, then Go to the Onboarding site

4. Now paste or manually add your MAC address and add device Description e.g.‘ Amazon Alexa’ and select Register.

5. If you are presented with the message "Note: PSK is only required for hallnet wifi. Ignore for wired devices"

Refresh the page to generate the Pre-Shared Key (PSK). Check the PSK is the same across all of your registered devices.

6. Make a note of the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) (three words linked by a hyphen). This is the password you will need to connect to the ‘hallnet’ Wi-Fi network on this and any subsequent devices.

7. Return to Settings then Wi-Fi.

8. Locate and select the 'hallnet' Wi-Fi network, and use the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) as the password for this connection.

9. Once connected, you have the option to use your mobile phone to operate your smart device.

Use your Pre-Shared Key (PSK) to connect to hallnet

The Pre-Shared Key (PSK) (three words linked by a hyphen). This is the password you will need to connect to the ‘hallnet’ Wi-Fi network on this and any subsequent devices.

1. Return to Settings then Wi-Fi.

2. Locate and select the 'hallnet' Wi-Fi network, and use the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) as the password for this connection.

3. Once connected, you have the option to use your mobile phone to operate your smart device (if you have registered to use on hallnet).