Improving Wi-Fi at Ohio State: Moving to eduroam and Device-Based Authentication

As OTDI continues to streamline and enhance IT services at the university, we are working to improve the university Wi-Fi experience over the next couple of years by moving to the eduroam network and device-based authentication. We will simultaneously phase out osuwireless, with a targeted retirement date of Summer 2024. One major benefit of this new authentication method for eduroam is that faculty, staff and students will not have to reconfigure their Wi-Fi settings when they update their Ohio State password semi-annually.

Why eduroam and Device-Based Authentication?

Both eduroam and onboarding to the secure Ohio State network through device-based authentication provide benefits to improve the Wi-Fi experience at Ohio State while maintaining the same level of speed and connectivity that is available with osuwireless. Semi-annual password updates will no longer affect Wi-Fi connectivity. After onboarding your device to eduroam, it will stay credentialed to the network for five years, staying connected even after changing your password.  

eduroam provides simple, easy, secure connectivity across more than 100 countries and is available at all Ohio State locations. You will maintain secure connectivity when visiting other eduroam participating institutions around the world, including institutions in Ohio and the Big Ten. 

A Phased Approach

Phase one of this project will focus on the personal devices of Ohio State faculty, staff and students. Beginning on May 17, 2022, all personal devices of Ohio State faculty, staff and students can begin onboarding to the eduroam network using the new device-authentication method. Our Wi-Fi resources will be updated to reflect this change, with connecting to eduroam being the primary instruction on wireless.osu.edu beginning on May 17. This includes new personal devices, incoming students, and existing personal devices that are currently on osuwireless.  

This phase will continue through the end of Autumn 2022. At that time, we will assess the current Wi-Fi environment to determine specific next steps for the project, including university-managed devices (i.e. the device supplied to you by Ohio State for work purposes). We are currently targeting Summer 2024 to finalize the project and retire osuwireless.

What This Means for Ohio State

Faculty, staff and students can look forward to an improved Wi-Fi experience at Ohio State and as they travel between institutions once they have authenticated to eduroam. In the near-term, we will be communicating to incoming students to use eduroam and this new onboarding method to connect to the secure network at orientation this summer. Faculty, staff and current students can also transition their personal devices to the eduroam network using the new onboarding method once it’s available on wireless.osu.edu. We will work with local IT departments to help communicate the plan for any managed devices as we enter phase two. If you have questions about eduroam and your managed device now, please contact your local IT department.  

Have questions about this project? Check out the eduroam resources on the Administrative Resource Center or contact the IT Service Desk.