Wireless Troubleshooting & FAQs

ODU has four SSIDs: eduroam, MonarchODU, AccessODU and DeviceODU.

eduroam is an encrypted network which protects your data while it's transferred over the air and stores your credentials to automatically log you in. This network is available to faculty, staff and students at ODU, and is also available at institutions around the world, allowing ODU travelers to automatically access the internet while at participating universities.

MonarchODU is an encrypted network which protects your data while it's transfered over the air and stores your credentials to automatically log you in. This network is available to students/faculty/staff. Join MonarchODU with your MIDAS ID and password.

AccessODU is an unencrypted network which requires that you log in through a web browser each time you connect. This network is recommended for guest use, and for shared machines where the user will be changing often.

DeviceODU is a network specifically for gaming consoles, streaming media devices and other internet-enabled devices. To connect a device, register at device.odu.edu. After registration, you'll see the network password. Use the password to connect a wireless device to the network. (This network is primarily available only in residence halls.)

AccessODU uses a web-based authentication method; the only requirement is a browser that supports "https".

eduroam and MonarchODU require an Operating System with WPA2-Enterprise security.

A device must support WPA2 Enterprise with PEAP/MSCHAPv2 in order to connect to eduroam and MonarchODU and must have a browser that supports https to authenticate to AccessODU. You can search for your device on the WiFi Alliance product page to determine if it supported or not. Once you've found the device you're looking for, click on its certificate to find out whether or not WPA2 Enterprise security is supported.

If you are in our Residence Halls and would like to connect a gaming or media device, please see information about DeviceODU.

The wireless network is strictly for the campus. There are no plans to offer University sponsored network access anywhere off campus.

DeviceODU: Register your device at device.odu.edu, and you'll get a password. Connect your device to DeviceODU using that password. This network does not support computers, smart phones and tablets.

All other wireless networks: You need a valid MIDAS ID and password to log on to the network. The wireless service must also be activated within MIDAS before you will be able to access the wireless network.

You will also need to have an 802.11a, g, or n wireless NIC (Network Interface Card) and a standard web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. For best performance, a dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) 802.11ac wireless NIC is recommended.

eduroam is an encrypted network that offers enhanced security and storage of credentials for automatic log in and is recommended for researchers, faculty members, staff and students who are either on campus or who travel to other educational institutions frequently. While on campus, log in with your MIDAS ID and password. Then when you travel to other eduroam institutions, your device should connect automatically.

MonarchODU is an encrypted network that offers ehanced security and storage of credentials for automatic log in. Join this network with your MIDAS ID and password.

AccessODU requires you to log in to the network each time you turn on your device, and it does not implement encryption.

Sometimes your computer may have chosen to connect to a wireless access point that isn't the closest to your current location. By disabling and enabling (or turning off and back on) your adapter you will force it to rescan the available access points and it will likely choose the closest one.

Updating your drivers for the wireless card can often resolve issues. For Windows-based computers, you can go to Windows Update (Start->All Programs->Windows Update) or go to the device manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers. Often times for Windows, the drivers from the device manufacturer's website are more up to date than those available from Windows Update. For Apple computers, run Software Update (Apple Menu->Software Update).

Some Windows-based computers come with third-party applications to control the wireless settings, and they often cause conflicts. You should set Windows to be the default manager for wireless connections and disable this software for best performance.

Most wireless interference occurs on the 2.4GHz (802.11b/g/n) frequency range; the 5GHz (802.11a/n) frequency range is much less prone to interference. By using a dual-band adapter (also called 802.11a/b/g/n), your device will be able to connect using 5GHz and will be much less prone to interference, especially in the dorms.

Signals from other wireless devices can interfere and degrade the campus wireless network, slowing down wireless access for you and others around you. Common interference devices include wireless printers, Apple Time Capsules, and microwave ovens. A large portion of these interference devices only affect the 2.4GHz frequency range and can be avoided by using a dual-band adapter on the 5GHz frequency range. See below for a full list of known interference devices and their impact.