RESTENA eduroam access - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which RESTENA users can use eduroam?
All users with an email account hosted at RESTENA can use RESTENA's eduroam service. This includes primarily the mail domain ...@education.lu but also every other hosted mail domain.
Q2: I don't have a RESTENA mail account, but only a mail forward. Can I still use the service?
Sorry, no. If you don't have a proper mail account, you also don't have a password, and a password is needed to authenticate you.
Q3: Where can I use eduroam?
There are several thousand eduroam hotspots on many universities, research centres and schools in Europe and beyond. Please consult the hotspot map for the service locations.
Q4: Where can I get help setting up eduroam?
Please see our page with technical information. It lists numerous client device types and has generic instructions if you are using a more exotic device.
Q5: Will the hotspot see my password?
No. Your RESTENA password will be encrypted on its way to the RESTENA authentication servers. The hotspot will only get to see a confirmation that RESTENA authenticated you.
Q6: Does eduroam cost me anything?
No, the usage of eduroam is free for all eduroam account holders worldwide. RESTENA does not charge its users for enabling their accounts for eduroam. You will never get an invoice for using an eduroam network. You only need equipment that is compatible with eduroam.
Q7: I've heard a lot about "sniffing" in wireless networks. Can other people see what I'm doing on an eduroam network?
No. Whenever you log in, you will get a new encryption key exclusively for this one connection of yours to the hotspot. Other people in the vicinity will not be able to get meaningful data "out of the air". Please do note though that you are connected to the general nternet, and that your data needs to be adequately protected after it leaves the hotspot. I.e. the usual precautions to only use SSL connections when entering passwords on web sites etc. still apply.
Q8: Will the hotspot see my RESTENA email address?
Not necessarily. On most client software, you can obfuscate your mail address by replacing everything left of the "@" in your username with an arbitrary value, like "anonymous@education.lu". This is called the "outer" or "anonymous" identity. Please note that your actual mail address is still needed in the so-called "inner identity" (which is only visible to RESTENA). Concealing your mail address is an advanced technical topic and is not covered by our support.
Q9: What information about me will RESTENA reveal to hotspots?
In any case, the result of the authentication (Success or Failure). On a hotspot's request, RESTENA will also provide him with a 128-bit hexadecimal number to recognise you when you come back - but this number can not be used to reveal neither your email address nor your password. This number will not change even if you change your outer identity or use a different device to connect.
Q10: So I'm anonymous?
No. If you don't respect the Acceptable Use Policy at a hotspot so much that legal actions require RESTENA to reveal your identity, we have a means to do so and will have to do so to comply with the law.
Q11: My connection is working, but some applications don't work (but they do at home). What's wrong?
As a guest at the hotspot, it is in the hotspot operator's discretion to decide which applications you are allowed to use (in technical terms: it can decide to block certain ports). If the hotspot decides to deny use of certain applications or ports, you can try to use your RESTENA VPN access after the eduroam login to get direct access to the RESTENA network (where all ports are open and no application is blocked).
Q12: I've set up eduroam, and it works here. But when I go somewhere else, it sometimes fails. What shall I do?
This is most likely due to some hotspots that do not support the same encryption levels as your client device. At such hotspots, you may have to move from "WPA2+AES" to "WPA+TKIP", or vice versa in your wireless connection settings.
Q13: It still doesn't work. What shall I do now?
You probably need assistance from an operator. Please contact the RESTENA staff, either by email to eduroam@restena.lu (if you have another means of sending email besides using eduroam) or by telephone to +352 424409.
Q14: I'm at a university in another country, but there's no eduroam. How come?
The service is not ubiquitous, every university and research institution has a choice to join or not. If you keep visiting the same institution over and over again, it might be worthwhile asking their administration about joining eduroam.
Q15: I can't believe this is really free. Where's the catch?
There is no catch. Universities very often operate a local wireless network anyway, and the extra costs to enable roaming are not very high. That's why guest access can be provided without the need to charge end users. You're welcome :-)
