OIT to Retire UA-WPA2

OIT to Retire UA-WPA2

The Office of Information Technology will retire the wireless network UA-WPA2 effective August 2019. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to connect wireless devices to the eduroam wireless internet network now with their myBamausername@ua.edu email address and myBama password.

Eduroam is a wireless internet network that connects thousands of research and education institutions across the globe. When a user connects a wireless device to the eduroam network at UA, that device is then eligible to connect to the eduroam wireless networks at thousands of other eduroam institutions.

“Once you’re connected to eduroam at UA, it makes visiting other institutions a breeze,” said Mike Shelton, interim deputy chief information officer. “UAB, Georgia, Auburn — they all use eduroam.”

Most institutions in the state and within the Southeastern Conference also participate in eduroam. Eduroam is available at more than 600 institutions in the United States and in 89 countries.

“Last summer OIT received a tweet from a UA student who was studying abroad in London,” said Meagan Bennett, OIT marketing and communications manager. “When the student arrived at the institution in London, she was automatically connected to their eduroam network miles away from Tuscaloosa.”

Eduroam has the same campus coverage at UA as WPA2; users will not notice any difference in connectivity when switching networks. The UA-WPA-PSK network will continue to provide service to streaming, gaming and media devices in residence halls.

To learn more about eduroam, and to learn a few wireless tips and tricks, visit the OIT website.