Working with Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi

Introduction

The Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi network provides service for Internet of Things (IoT) devices as well as any other devices that require a pre-shared key instead of a username and password. Berkeley-IoT provides the same WiFi service as eduroam (our primary Wi-Fi network), so users do not experience any limitations as they would with the Visitor network.

You should use Berkeley-IoT if you have these kinds of devices:

• Game Consoles
• Personal Assistants
• eReaders
• Streaming Devices
• Printers and Scanners
• Projectors, TVs and Signage
• Lab Equipment (microscopes, sensors, data loggers)

You should use eduroam if you have these kinds of devices:

• Laptop and Desktop Computers
• Phones
• Tablets
• Kiosks
• Other Mobile Devices

Generally, you should try connecting to eduroam first. If you do not see the eduroam network, your device does not support username and password-based logins for WiFi, and you should use Berkeley-IoT.

What kinds of CalNet accounts are supported with Berkeley-IoT?

• Faculty, Staff, Students, and Associates (anyone with a CalNET ID) for personal devices
• Special Purpose Accounts for use with lab equipment and other shared devices where more than one person is responsible for maintaining the devices

This article covers the following topics:

• Connecting a Device to Berkeley-IoT
• Accessing the GetOnline Wi-Fi Site
• Finding Information about Berkeley-IoT Devices
• Registering Berkeley-IoT Devices
• Changing Device Settings (name, password, features)
• Deleting a Device

Instructions

Connecting a Device to Berkeley-IoT

NOTE: If your device supports automatically changing the MAC address of the wireless interface (sometimes referred to as private MAC or MAC randomization), this feature must be disabled to use Berkeley-IoT.

After you've created a password (also known as a pre-shared key) for your device following the instructions below, you are ready to connect to the Berkeley-IoT network.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of devices that will work with Berkeley-IoT. It is not possible to describe how to connect each kind. The general process to connect is:

1. Choose Wireless from the menu
   
2. Either select Berkeley-IoT from the available list of networks, or have it search for available networks and then select it. If you don't see Berkeley-IoT in the list, then you are not within range of the network, and you can't join
   
3. Once the network has been selected, you will usually be prompted to enter a password or pre-shared key. That's where you enter the password you created on the Wi-Fi Keys website

You should then connect. If you don't, make sure you have the MAC for the device, it's not set to change, and you haven't typoed the password.

Your device should have instructions on how to connect it to wireless networks; if you have any difficulty, you should refer back to that documentation. Our help desks can help you with account problems, but we can't help you figure out how to make the connection. 

Accessing the GetOnline Wi-Fi Site

1. Browse to the GetOnline website https://getonline.berkeley.edu/wifi/. 
   
   
2. If the page displays a Log In to Manage Wireless Access button, click it and authenticate using your CalNet account to see your eduroam and Berkeley-IoT device settings.
   
   
3.  You will be shown the GetOnline Wi-Fi management page
   

Finding Information about Berkeley-IoT Devices

1. Browse to the GetOnline website https://getonline.berkeley.edu/wifi/ and scroll to the Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi Network Devices section.
   
   • If you have not yet created any IoT devices, you will only see a Create Device button.
2. The device list has three columns of information followed by action buttons (for 9 or less devices)
   • MAC Address: the unique hexadecimal hardware address of your wireless network interface
   • Device Name: a non-unique text field you can use to identify what device it is
   • Status: The current status of the device, one of three types:
     • Active - Berkeley-IoT is configured to allow your device to connect
     • Active on public-ipv4 network - you have opted your device into getting an Internet-accessible IPv4 address (not recommended)
     • Blocked - the device has been disabled by the Information Security Office. Blocked devices can not be modified or deleted and are not able to use Berkeley-IoT or eduroam until the suspension has been lifted. Please contact the Information Security Office for assistance in resolving the issue.
3. If you have more than 9 devices, only the first nine will be displayed, and the action buttons will be removed
   
   
4. The Manage Devices button at the bottom of the page opens the device management page as shown below
   
   
5. The device management page works the same as the main Wi-Fi page except that it includes an Export List button, which will generate a downloadable CSV file with a list of the device names and MAC addresses for your reference.

Registering Berkeley-IoT Devices

Each CalNet ID is allowed multiple devices, but each device must be unique within the Berkeley-IoT system. Only one user can register each device. 

1. Browse to the GetOnline website https://getonline.berkeley.edu/wifi/ and scroll to the Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi Network Devices section and click the Create Device button.
   
   
2. The create device page requires three types of information
   
   • MAC Address: the hardware address of the wireless network interface card.
   • Device Name: a freeform text field you can use to identify the device to yourself
   • Device Password: the password the device will use to connect to Berkeley-IoT 
3. When you enter the new password the field will turn green and receive a check mark when the password meets UC Berkeley minimum requirements.  Once the password confirmation matches the new password it will also turn green and receive a check mark.
4. Click Save Device, you will be briefly taken to a device saved page, and then redirected to the main Wi-Fi Keys page where you will see the new device listed
5. Your device can be connected to Berkeley-IoT as soon as you've received the confirmation page.

Changing Device Settings (name, password, features)

Note: If you have more than 9 devices you will need to click the Manage Devices button at the bottom of the page first, and then you can edit your device.

1. Browse to the GetOnline website https://getonline.berkeley.edu/wifi/ and scroll to the Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi Network Devices section and click the Edit button next to the device.
   
2. You have the option to change the name, the password, or toggle Public IP.
   • You can make as many or as few changes at once and are not required to change everything
   • For example, you can change the name but not the password. Just leave the password field blank when you click Save
3. Selecting Public IP? will set your device to get an IP address on the Internet without any firewalls or protections.
   • WARNING: This is very dangerous and should only be done if it is the only way to make an application work correctly
   • Your device will be connected to the Internet and open to attack without any protections like you would have with home Internet
4. Click Save Changes. You will be briefly taken to a device saved page, and then redirected to the main Wi-Fi Keys page where you will see the new device listed
5. If you changed the password, the device will be disconnected from Berkeley-IoT the next time it re-authenticates. You should update the password on the device as soon as possible to ensure it continues to work

Deleting a Device Account

Note: If you have more than 9 devices, you will need to click the Manage Devices button at the bottom of the page first, and then you can delete your device.

1. Browse to the GetOnline website https://getonline.berkeley.edu/wifi/ and scroll to the Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi Network Devices section and click the Delete button next to the device.
   
   
2. You will see a browser pop-up asking you to confirm the deletion. 
   • OK will delete the device and return you to the device page.
   • Cancel will leave the device and return you to the device page.

Support for Berkeley-IoT Wi-Fi

If you have issues connecting to Berkeley-IoT try rebooting your device and go through these steps again. If this does not resolve connectivity, please contact us for help:

• Faculty, staff, and student employees - contact IT Client Services.
• All other students - contact Student Technology Services