IT Services

Network and internet

Having trouble connecting?
If you're having trouble connecting to wi-fi (eduroam) or ResNet after the Easter vacation, you may need to make a small change to your settings following a certificate update on 22 March.

Connecting to the internet

All of the computers managed by IT Services are connected to the campus network and, through it, the internet. This means that you can access your email or browse the web using any of the IT Services PCs or iMacs. The internet is available for use without charge as soon as you have logged into your preferred computer.

In addition to the services provided on the IT Services computers, the University enables students, staff and some visitors to access internet and e-mail using the campus network.

eduroam green sheet

Connecting to wifi (eduroam)

diagram of laptop with wifi symbol

If you are a student or member of staff, you can connect your own computers or mobile devices to the Sussex wifi service, eduroam, giving you access to the internet and e-mail when within range of one of the wireless hotspots on campus.

To get connected to eduroam, follow the process on the green sheet below. As part of this process, you will be asked to register your computer with the University and follow a short procedure called Xpress Connect to set up the right details on your computer.

Connecting to the Wireless Network (eduroam)

1. Before you start

  • Make sure you know your IT Services username and password
  • Ensure that your wireless card is switched on and that your computer is NOT connected to a network port with a cable
  • Make sure date and time are set correctly on your computer

Follow the instructions below for your operating system Windows Vista, Windows XP or Mac OSX:

Windows Vista

  • Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Centre > Connect to a Network
  • Select sussex.ac.uk-wifi-setup (you will be told that this network is unsecured)
  • Click Connect Anyway > Close

Windows XP

  • Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connections > View Wireless Networks
  • Select sussex.ac.uk-wifi-setup and click Connect

Mac OS X

  • Locate the Apple Airport Signal Strength icon on the menu bar
  • Click on the icon and click Turn Airport On (if not already active)
  • Wireless network sussex.ac.uk-wifi-setup should be listed; click on it

2. Register to use wireless

  • Open a web browser which should automatically connect you to a page with two red buttons - click the option for members of the University (students and staff)
  • Login using your University username and password
  • Accept the conditions of use and then click on Register
  • Enter a name for your computer and choose the appropriate Equipment type from the menu
  • The Operating System box should default to the one the page has detected
  • The Comment field is optional but you then need to click on Register
  • Click Register again on this new page to log your computer's unique wifi address
  • The wifi address, also known as the MAC (Media Access Control) address should automatically be detected so click Register again to confirm it

3. Set up computer for wireless

  • Click on the Setup link at the top of the page and then press the Xpress Connect button
  • Follow the on screen instructions to automatically set up your computer for eduroam
  • When you are asked for your username and password to sign on to eduroam, you must make sure that you enter your Sussex username followed by "@sussex.ac.uk" so if your username were user99, you would enter: user99@sussex.ac.uk
  • Please note that Xpress Connect may be wrongly identified as a virus. Please ignore these alerts

4. Check eduroam wireless connectivity

  • Open a web browser and navigate to a web site, for example www.google.co.uk

5. Next time you connect

You normally only need to go through this set up process the first time you use the wifi at Sussex. Next time you want to connect to the internet, your computer should remember the settings and connect automatically.

When you want to browse the internet, make sure that you are connected to the eduroam network. If you find that you can only see the Sussex network support page, your computer may have connected to the setup network instead. Because this network is only used for the initial configuration prcess, you can't use it to browse the internet - use the instructions which apply to your operating system above and this time, choose the eduroam network.

6. Anti-virus

If you do not already have an anti-virus program and are using a Windows PC, IT Services recommend you install Microsoft Security Essentials which is available free from:

www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

Mac users can install ClamXav which is also available for download from:

sussex.ac.uk/its/clamxav

Any Problems?

Visit IT Services, Shawcross, bringing your laptop and power supply.

IT Services
September 2011 © IT Services


You can also download the eduroam green sheet instructions (PDF version, 185kb)


resnet pink sheet

Connecting to ResNet

diagram of laptop with ethernet link

If you are living on campus, you can plug your computer into the network connection in your room using the pink cable supplied by your residence. The procedure for connecting to ResNet is similar to eduroam and is detailed on the pink sheet below:

Connecting to the Residential Network (ResNet)

Welcome to ResNet

Whilst you are living on campus, you will be able to plug your computer into the network connection in your room using the pink cable supplied – just follow the instructions on the pink sheet attached. This provides a broadband internet connection – however, you should be aware that this is not the same as a commercial broadband connection such as the one you may have at home. ResNet is part of the University of Sussex's connection to the internet via the Joint Academic Network (JANET) and its capacity is therefore limited. ResNet does take up a large percentage of Sussex's bandwidth, but even so you are still sharing this with 3500 other students and so should allow for a performance "slow down" at peak hours.

The main purpose of the University network is to support learning and study, and whilst some personal use is reasonable, any bandwidth-heavy activities are likely to automatically trigger a temporary restriction on your ResNet connection.

If you notice a sudden change in your browsing speed it may be due to a virus causing your computer to inadvertently generate a lot of traffic; if you suspect this is the case you should book an appointment with one of our advisers at the IT Service Desk in Shawcross.

Excessive use of peer-to-peer file sharing will also trigger this restriction. However, if you are not engaged in any such activities but still feel that your connection is slow compared to neighbouring flats or rooms, you can always ask IT Services to check that the network is operating correctly. Sometimes there are particular problems that can be resolved as a result. For further information, please see:

Connection instructions

1. Before you start

  • You will need the University username and password that you were given when you completed registration
  • Plug the pink network cable supplied into the network socket on your computer
  • If there was no pink cable in your bedroom please contact your residential advisor
  • Make sure the date and time are set correctly on your computer

2. Register to use ResNet

  • Open a web browser which should automatically connect you to the Sussex Network Support site
  • If it does not appear, type https://www.sussex.ac.uk/roaming/ into the address bar
  • You will initially see a page with two red buttons
  • Click the button marked GO for Member of the University (staff/student)
  • Login with your University username and password
  • Read the Conditions of Use and click Accept
  • Click Register
  • Complete the box giving your computer a name and select the Equipment type from the drop-down menu
  • The operating system box is usually pre-filled with your computer's details so click Register to accept it
  • Click Register again on this new page to log your computer's unique identifier
  • This identifier, also known as the MAC (Media Access Control) address should automatically be detected by the support site so click Register to confirm it

3. Set up computer for ResNet

  • Click on the Setup link at the top of the page and then press the Xpress Connect button
  • Follow the on screen instructions to automatically set up your computer for eduroam
  • When you are asked for your username and password to sign on to ResNet, you must make sure that you enter your Sussex username followed by "@sussex.ac.uk" so if your username is ano23 you would enter: ano23@sussex.ac.uk
  • Occasionally Xpress Connect is wrongly identified as a virus (if so, you can ignore these alerts)

4. Check ResNet connectivity

  • Open a web browser and try connecting to an external site (such as www.google.co.uk).

5. Anti-virus

If you do not already have an anti-virus program and are using a Windows PC, IT Services recommend you install Microsoft Security Essentials which is available free from:

www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

Mac users can install ClamXav which is also available for download from:

sussex.ac.uk/its/clamxav

Any Problems?

Visit the IT Service Desk in Shawcross, bringing your laptop and power supply.

IT Services
September 2011 © IT Services


You can also download the ResNet pink sheet instructions (PDF version, 115kb)

socket for connecting to the wired eduroam network on campus

Connecting to the wired network in offices or common rooms

In addition to the eduroam wifi network, there are also some wired connections, identified with a silver sticker, which you can use to connect to the internet if you have your own ethernet cable. Follow the instructions for connecting to ResNet to use these access points.

If you are a researcher or member of staff and you are unable to connect your computer to the network point in your office, please contact IT Services for support.

Visiting Sussex or other institutions

If you are visiting Sussex from an institution which uses eduroam, and you are already set up to use the service, you are welcome to use the Sussex eduroam network while you are here.

Information for using eduroam when you are travelling

This guide includes information for staff and students from Sussex who are visiting other participating institutions.

Other information


Why do I have to register first?

To use eduroam or ResNet while you are a student or member of staff at Sussex, you are asked to go through an initial registration process to:

  1. Get the right settings in place - computer networks can work in many different ways and before you can connect to the system, your computer will have to be configured with the details appropriate to the Sussex network. You normally only have to do this once and your computer will then remember the details.
  2. Protect Sussex data and systems - in order to make sure that the University's data and resources are managed safely, you must register initially using your Sussex "credentials" (which consist of your IT Services username followed by @sussex.ac.uk) and password. The set up process confirms that you are entitled to use the University's systems.

Updated on 13 April 2012