How do I set up my computer for wired use in halls? (Linux)

Please note that Linux operating systems vary and these instructions are for Ubuntu (or other Debian based systems) and may not resemble your exact system. It will give you an idea of what is needed to connect the University Halls network.

  • Aberystwyth University used 802.1x authentication for its halls networking. To use this you will need to have Wpa_supplicant installed on your system
  • You can download and install Wpa_supplicant for free from:
    http://hostap.epitest.fi/wpa_supplicant/
    (Information Services and the University can not be held responsible for content of this external page)
  • Start up a command line interface and create a directory by typing:
    mkdir /var/run/wpa_supplicant
  • Using a text editor create a wpa_supplicant.conf file in /etc/wpa_supplicant
  • Inside this file enter the following lines:

    # BEGIN wired network configuration

    ap_scan=0

    ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant

    network={
    key_mgmt=IEEE8021X
    eap=PEAP
    phase1="peaplabel=1"
    phase2="auth=MSCHAPV2"
    identity="your University email address"
    password="your University password"
    }

    # ENG wired network configuration
  • Open a command terminal window and type:
    sudo chmod 600 /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
  • Edit the file /etc/network/interfaces with the following:

    #BEGIN

    auto lo
    iface lo inet loopback

    auto eth0
    iface eth0 inet dhcp
    wpa-driver wired
    wpa-conf /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

    #END
  • Restart your network card by typing sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart
  • You should now be connected to the University network

Once you are on campus and in your hall bedroom you should:

  • Switch your computer on and log in
  • Connect your network cable to your computer and the socket in your hall bedroom
  • You should see a message box telling you you're connected to the network
  • Open up your web browser.
  • You should be automatically redirected to the webpage https://myaccount.aber.ac.uk/protected/stunet.
    This is the only page that will be available until you have registered your computer for use on the network
    If you see the Page could not be displayed error message try typing in the above address
    You will need to be patient - it can be slow opening this page
  • Log in with your Aberystwyth University username and password
  • Complete the online form as instructed
  • Wait one hour for your hall connection to be activated.
  • If you have any problems connecting to the halls network, please see our halls troubleshooting page.
Contact for this page:
Information Services, Aberystwyth University, Hugh Owen Library, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DZ
Tel: 01970 62 2400 Email: is@aber.ac.uk