Introduction to wireless networking

The Lapwing Wireless Service is the wireless gateway serving the University of Cambridge. This service provides wireless hotspots at various locations throughout the University, and is available to all holders of Raven accounts (principally current University staff and students), and to guests of the University who have a temporary Lapwing ticket.

The hardware that supports Lapwing also supports the use of eduroam for authentication, for academic visitors or internal users.

The browser-based Lapwing authentication is the simpler connection method. It is most suitable if you just want to browse the web, read and send email using Hermes, print using the DS-Print service, or access other sites that use secure protocols. For fuller details of restrictions, see the page on Lapwing restrictions.

To use eduroam you will need to explicitly configure your wireless device. If you are a visitor to Cambridge you need to do this before you arrive in Cambridge. eduroam allows you a wider range of activities and is an international inititive. Instructions for Cambridge users are available in the pages.

Important notes:

• Users of iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad devices must use eduroam authentication as these devices need special configuration settings which are not available via the Wi-Fi Networks screen. A custom warning is displayed with configuration instructions when these devices connect to Lapwing.
• It is not possible to connect to Lapwing or eduroam using most Amazon Kindles unless you are prepared to fiddle around with some fairly low-level stuff, and there is a risk that you may reduce your Kindle to the functionality of a paperweight. In general - don't… We have been told that the android eduroam settings work on a Kindle Fire.