Wireless & VPN


Is your device's operating system up to date? From August 14, users connecting to the UoM network will need to adhere to new cybersecurity requirements. Outdated device operating systems will no longer be supported, and will be unable to connect to the UoM network. More information here

University students

Connect to UniWireless

List of networks available at the university, with UniWireless highlighted.

  1. Select UniWireless on your device from the available wireless networks.
  2. Input your username and password when prompted.
  3. If prompted, press "Trust" to verify the certificate.
  4. If connecting to the network for the first time on this device, you will need to accept terms of use.
  5. You can now access the internet using the UniWireless network.

Coverage

UniWireless is available everywhere on-campus.

Basic Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi on campus:

  • Try forgetting the wireless network and then try to reconnect.
  • If you're not prompted to accept the UniWireless terms of use after following these steps, try the steps below under "Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Policy Troubleshooting".
  • Check your device operating system is up to date and meets the minimum network requirements. More information can be found here.
  • Further Device Troubleshooting

    Windows

    1. Click Start/Windows button
    2. Type Command Prompt
    3. Right click on the application, and click Run as Administrator
    4. Type in the following lines, clicking enter after each one
      1. netsh winsock reset
      2. netsh int ip reset
      3. ipconfig /release
      4. ipconfig /renew
      5. ipconfig /flushdns

    Mac

    1. Open Spotlight search (magnifying glass in top right corner of screen)
    2. Search for System Preferences
    3. Click on Language and Region
    4. Ensure the correct date, time and region settings are in place
    5. In Spotlight search, enter Keychain Access
    6. Click login then Certificates (left menu bar)
    7. Delete any non-Apple certificates
    8. In Spotlight search, enter Profiles
    9. Delete any profiles that appear
    10. Retry connecting to network
    11. If you are still unable to connect, it is possibly a device lockout. Wait 30 minutes without connecting to UniWireless or eduroam, then try reconnecting

    Android

    1. Navigate to Apps.
    2. Locate and tap Settings.
    3. Tap Wi-Fi.
    4. Tap UniWireless.
    5. Ensure that EAP method is set to PEAP.
    6. Set the Phase 2 authentication to MSCHAPV2.
    7. Select the right option below depending on your Android version and fields available
    8. For recent Android versions:
      • Select Use System Certificates from CA Certificate option
      • Select Do Not Verify from Online Certificate Status option
      • Enter unimelb.edu.au under Domain option
    9. For older Android versions:
      • Select Do Not Validate Certificate
    10. Enter your username in the Identity field.
    11. Enter your password in the Password field.
    12. Tap Connect.

    iOS

    1. Open Settings
    2. General
    3. Profiles (if not shown, connect to network as per normal)
    4. Delete any network profiles
    5. Retry connecting to network.
  • Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Portal Troubleshooting

    Sometimes a device can connect to the network, but then the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) portal won't display, or will throw an error. Please note that eduroam does not have an AUP portal, so if you are in a rush, try connecting to eduroam.

    AUP portal not appearing, or web traffic not working

    Type captive.apple.com into any browser, which the network should redirect to the portal. If it throws an error, continue to next section.

    'Website cannot be displayed' or 'Page does not exist' error

    Try removing any static DNS server addresses and/or set to Automatic.

    Mac - System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > DNS > DNS Servers (left)

    Windows - Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Wi-Fi  > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 > Properties > Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically

    'Radius session does not exist' error within portal

    Close the browser and reopen, navigate to captive.apple.com if necessary.

    'Invalid username or password' error within portal

    1. 'Forget' the Visitor network and reconnect to UniWireless.
    2. Double check that your username + password are entered correctly, then try a password reset.

Eduroam is a global initiative, forming an agreement between educational and research institutions to share wireless access enabling inter-institutional roaming.

University of Melbourne Students

University of Melbourne students can access Eduroam off-campus at participating institutions worldwide. To setup your device for Eduroam, follow a configuration guide.

You can test your Eduroam connection on-campus before going off-site.

  • Student Username: username@student.unimelb.edu.au
  • Staff Username: username@unimelb.edu.au
  • Password: Same student/staff password used to access all Unimelb resources such as emails, my.unimelb or the LMS

Common Usernames for Visiting Students

Trinity College

UNSW

UTas

Visiting Students

Visitors to The University of Melbourne from participating institutions can access the Eduroam network using the login credentials from their home institution.

Look for your institution on the Common Usernames for Visting Students section below.

If you can't find your institution, Check to see if your institution is listed at the Eduroam Setup Guides for Australian institutions

What is a VPN?

The Virtual Private Network (VPN) service allows you to securely 'tunnel' into the campus network from outside the university, and access services as if you were on campus. Your device simply needs to be connected to the internet. It can also be used with on-campus networks, UniWireless and eduroam.

This service is provided to students free of charge. You can use the university's VPN service to:

  • Connect to a file share (mapped drive)
  • Print to a networked printer from off-campus
  • Remotely connect to a campus computer
  • Secure data transactions with the university's network

There two available VPN services are:

General VPN (Palo Alto GlobalProtect)

I was previously using Cisco AnyConnect. Can I continue using it?

Cisco AnyConnect support has ended and the University has transitioned to using a new system. You may uninstall Cisco AnyConnect from your device if you no longer require it and install Palo Alto GlobalProtect.

Palo Alto GlobalProtect is the client used to connect to the general University of Melbourne VPN. It is available for installation on Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile devices. 

Downloading GlobalProtect

To connect to the University’s VPN,  you’ll need Palo Alto GlobalProtect. Install it on your personal computer or device via the appropriate link below:

Windows (64-bit) macOS Ubuntu Linux
iOS / iPadOS Android
Can't see your operating system above?

Alternative VPN download links

After installation, a Welcome/Getting Started screen will show up on desktop devices. Look for GlobalProtect as an icon:

  • Windows: Bottom-right taskbar (may need to click the up arrow to "Show hidden icons")
  • macOS: Top-right toolbar

Using a University device?

Computers running the University Managed Operating Environment (MOE) have Palo Alto GlobalProtect pre-installed. If you can't find Palo Alto GlobalProtect on your device, try installing it via the Software Center (Windows) or Self Service app (macOS). If you have any further difficulties, please contact the Service Centre at +61 3 8344 0888.

Setting up GlobalProtect

  • Windows
    1. Enter vpn.unimelb.edu.au in the ‘Portal’ field and click Connect.
    2. Use your username and password in the SSO sign-in window then click Log in.
    3. Confirm your sign-in using Okta Verify or your chosen authentication method.
    4. You'll need to read and agree to the Terms of Use before connecting securely. Click I Agree if you accept.
    5. You're now connected to the VPN, enabling you to access University resources as if you were on campus. The gateway will display as student.
    6. To disconnect, click on the GlobalProtect icon and click Disconnect.
    7. To reconnect, follow steps 1-5 above. The ‘Portal’ field should be pre-filled with vpn.unimelb.edu.au.
  • macOS
    1. Enter vpn.unimelb.edu.au in the ‘Portal’ field and click Connect.
    2. Use your username and password in the SSO sign-in window then click Log in.
    3. Confirm your sign-in using Okta Verify or your chosen authentication method.
    4. You'll need to read and agree to the Terms of Use before connecting securely. Click I Agree if you accept.
    5. You're now connected to the VPN, enabling you to access University resources as if you were on campus. The gateway will display as student.
    6. To disconnect, click on the GlobalProtect icon and click Disconnect.
    7. To reconnect, follow steps 1-5 above. The ‘Portal’ field should be pre-filled with vpn.unimelb.edu.au.
  • iOS / iPadOS
    1. Open the PaloAlto GlobalProtect App
      GlobalProtect iOS and iPadOS app icon
    2. Choose whether you would like notifications by tapping Allow or Don’t Allow. 
    3. Enter vpn.unimelb.edu.au as the portal address and tap Connect. 
    4. When asked to ‘Add VPN Configurations’, tap Allow.
    5. (In Settings) Enter your device’s passcode if prompted and you will be taken back to the GlobalProtect App.
    6. Use your username and password in the SSO sign-in window then tap Log in.
    7. Confirm your sign-in using Okta Verify or your chosen authentication method.
    1. You'll need to read and agree to the Terms of Use before connecting securely. Tap I Agree if you accept.
    2. You're now connected to the VPN, enabling you to access University resources as if you were on campus. The gateway will display as student in the bottom left corner.
    3. To disconnect, open the GlobalProtect app, tap the "Tap to Disconnect" green shield icon in the centre of the screen.
    4. To reconnect, tap the "Tap to Connect" grey shield icon in the centre of the screen and follow steps 6-9. You do not need to re-enter the portal address.
  • Android
    1. Open the PaloAlto GlobalProtect App.
    2. When you first open the GlobalProtect app, you are informed about the data collection and the Android VPNService. Once you have read through the information, tap OK.
    3. Enter vpn.unimelb.edu.au as the portal address and tap Connect.

    4. Use your username and password in the SSO sign-in window then tap Log in.
    5. Confirm your sign-in using Okta Verify or your chosen authentication method.
    6. You'll need to read and agree to the Terms of Use before connecting securely. Tap I Accept, Terms of Use if you accept.
    7. When the Connection request pop-up appears, tap OK to 'set up a VPN connection'.
    8. You're now connected to the VPN, enabling you to access University resources as if you were on campus.
    9. To disconnect, open the GlobalProtect app, tap the green shield icon in the centre of the screen.
    10. To reconnect, tap the "Tap to Connect" grey shield icon in the centre of the screen and follow steps 4-6. You do not need to re-enter the portal address or re-confirm the Connection request.

Mainland China VPN (FortiClient)

FortiClient VPN is offered to students in China who require access to University services and files. It has been optimised to improve the student experience from within mainland China. You will only be able to log in to one device at a time and you must ensure no third-party VPNs are running in the background. Please only use FortiClient if you are in China.

FortiClient VPN Installation Guide

Google Scholar is not compatible with the FortiClient VPN. Alternative search options include the library’s Discovery and Library Guides to find academic databases for your discipline or topic area.