What is eduroam and how does it work?
eduroam is a global wireless network access service for research and education. An eligible organization (research organization or education-related organization) can provide users (students, researchers, staff and faculty) with wireless access at participating institutions through the use of their home institution credentials.
eduroam uses the IEEE 802.1X protocol (WPA2-enterprise) and a system of interconnected RADIUS servers, with the main U.S. node operated by Internet2 in collaboration with the global eduroam community.
How does eduroam work?
eduroam is a federated authentication service that allows participating institutions to provide access to their wireless networks to users from other eduroam participating institutions. Individuals use their home institution credentials.
eduroam is a worldwide federation of RADIUS servers that use IEEE 802.1x as the vehicle. When a user connects with any participating wireless network, the home RADIUS server does the authentication, while the host institution does the authorization.
eduroam is available at more than 12,000 locations worldwide, including more than 530 colleges, universities, and research facilities in the United States.
The user achieves seamless access by just opening their laptop or device configured to connect via eduroam. Given the federated nature of eduroam, the host institution does not need to explicitly provide access, eliminating significant administrative overhead.