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:
- Accessing the WiFi Keys website
- Creating Berkeley-IoT Device Accounts
- Changing Device Settings (name, password, features)
- Deleting a Device
Connecting 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 device that will work with Berkeley-IoT. It is not possible to describe how to connect each kind. The general process to connect is:
- Choose Wireless from the menu
- 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
- 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 Wi-Fi Keys
- Navigate to the Wi-Fi Keys website https://wifi-keys.berkeley.edu
- You may be redirected to the CalNet authentication portal, if so log in using the account you want for wireless access, and you will be taken to the main Wi-Fi Keys page
- On this page you will see the status of your eduroam account, and below that any Berkeley-IoT devices that are registered to your account
Creating Berkeley-IoT Device Accounts
- Browse to the Wi-Fi Keys website https://wifi-keys.berkeley.edu and scroll down to see the list of Berkeley-IoT devices in your account
- Each CalNet ID is allowed multiple Berkeley-IoT devices, by default the list will be empty but if device have been created under the CalNet ID they will be listed
- Click the Create device (if you do not have any devices) or Manage devices (if you already have devices) button to enter the device manager
- Click Create New to open the new device window
- Enter the MAC address of your device, a name to help identify the device, a new password, and then confirm the password
- MAC addresses must be unique, if the device is already registered to another account the system will not let you create the device
- Device name is not used for authentication, it is to help users identify their devices
- Passwords must meet UC Berkeley password standards.
- 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
Changing Device Settings (name, password, features)
- Browse to the Wi-Fi Keys website https://wifi-keys.berkeley.edu and scroll down to see the list of Berkeley-IoT devices in your account
- Click Manage devices button to enter the device manager
- Click Edit next to the device you want to modify
- You can the device name and password, but can not change the MAC. To change the MAC you must delete the device, and then create a new one.
- You can also select to be assigned a public IP address when connected to Berkeley-IoT
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Browse to the Wi-Fi Keys website https://wifi-keys.berkeley.edu and scroll down to see the list of Berkeley-IoT devices in your account
- Click Manage devices button to enter the device manager
- Click Delete next to the device you want to remove
- Clicking Delete you will return you to the Berkeley-IoT device management page
- The device will be disconnected from Berkeley-IoT the next time it re-authenticates
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