Eduroam on Linux

This guide covers multiple methods for connecting to your local institution's Eduroam network on Linux-based systems, including both graphical and command-line approaches.

While this guide provides general instructions for connecting to Eduroam, please refer to your local institution's IT Department for specific guidance and support.

Before You Start

Ensure you're in a location where the Eduroam wireless network is available.
Have your institution credentials ready. You may need to create a network access token.
These instructions have been tested on various Linux distributions, but screen layouts and exact steps might differ.

If you're setting up Eduroam on a device without internet access, you may need to temporarily connect to an open network or use a wired connection to download necessary tools.

Method 1: Using NetworkManager GUI

For Linux distributions with a graphical desktop environment:

Click on the network icon in your system tray

Select "eduroam" from the list of available Wi-Fi networks

In the connection dialog, enter the following details:

Security: WPA & WPA2 Enterprise
Authentication: Protected EAP (PEAP)
Anonymous identity: (leave blank)
Domain: (leave blank)
CA certificate: (No CA certificate is required)
PEAP version: Automatic
Inner authentication: MSCHAPv2
Username: Your institution email address (e.g., [email protected])
Password: Your institution password or network access token

Click "Connect"

Method 2: Using NetworkManager Command-Line Interface (NMCLI)

For users who prefer the command line or are using a system without a graphical interface:

Open a terminal

Identify your wireless interface name:

ip link show

Note the name of your wireless interface (e.g., wlan0)

Create and configure the Eduroam connection:

nmcli con add type wifi con-name "eduroam" ifname wlan0 ssid "eduroam" \
wifi-sec.key-mgmt wpa-eap 802-1x.eap peap 802-1x.phase2-auth mschapv2 \
802-1x.identity "[email protected]" \
802-1x.password "your_password" 802-1x.system-ca-certs yes

Replace wlan0, [email protected], and your_password with your actual details.

Connect to Eduroam:

nmcli connection up eduroam

Method 3: Using wpa_supplicant Directly

For systems that don't use NetworkManager or for users who prefer more direct control:

Create or edit the file /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf:

sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Add the following configuration:

network={
    ssid="eduroam"
    key_mgmt=WPA-EAP
    eap=PEAP
    identity="[email protected]"
    password="your_password"
    phase2="auth=MSCHAPV2"
}

Replace [email protected] and your_password with your actual credentials.

Save the file and exit the editor

Connect to Eduroam:

sudo wpa_supplicant -i wlan0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Replace wlan0 with your wireless interface name if different.

Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble connecting to Eduroam, try these steps:

Check your credentials: Ensure your username is in the correct format (usually [email protected]) and your password is correct.
Verify network visibility: Use nmcli dev wifi list to check if the Eduroam network is visible to your device.
System time: Ensure your system's date and time are set correctly. Incorrect time can cause authentication failures.
Forget and reconnect: If you've connected before, try forgetting the network and reconnecting.
CA certificates: Some institutions require specific CA certificates. Check with your IT department if you need to install any.
Use a wired connection: If possible, try connecting via a wired connection first to ensure your device is properly registered on the network.
Check for conflicting connections: Ensure you're not connected to other networks that might interfere with Eduroam.
Update network tools: Ensure your network management tools (NetworkManager, wpa_supplicant) are up to date.
Driver issues: Some wireless adapters may require specific drivers. Check if your wireless adapter is properly recognized and has the correct driver installed.
Firewall settings: Check if your firewall is blocking the connection. Temporarily disabling the firewall can help identify if it's causing issues.

If problems persist after trying these troubleshooting steps, contact your institution's IT support for assistance. They may have specific tools or configurations for your network.