Internet and Network Services
Saint Louis University's ITS division provides a variety of options for connecting to the Internet on campus. These connections allow faculty, staff and students to access the Internet from both wired and wireless connections.
ITS also supports Billiken Printing for students, a VPN network and remote file access for faculty and staff.
SLU has three wireless networks specifically designed for authenticated faculty, staff, and students on campus; members of the eduroam consortium; and guests on campus.
SLU-users
SLU-users is the secure wireless network of choice for all users with a valid SLU Net ID and password. The network provides access to secure computing resources, printing, and services. Use this network for all official University business when you are on campus.
Most mobile devices with WiFi will work on this network. Windows 7, 8, and 10; Mac OS 10.4 and greater; and recent versions of Linux/Unix should also work on this network. Devices must be 802.1X-capable to work on SLU-users. For more information, please see the Technical Overview.
Connecting to SLU-users
- On your device's list of available networks, select "SLU-users."
- If prompted, install the security certificate.
- When prompted, enter your SLU Net ID and password.
Note that exact instructions for connecting to SLU-users may differ slightly from device to device depending on the operating system. Contact the ITS Customer Service Desk at 314-977-4000 if you are unable to complete the process.
eduroam
The eduroam network is a service especially useful to those who visit and collaborate with other institutions in the eduroam consortium. The eduroam network enables members of the eduroam consortium to access wireless at SLU using account information from their home institution, and members of the SLU community can access wireless at other eduroam institutions using their SLU Net ID and password.
Eduroam maintains a list of who is currently part of this consortium, which you may find useful in travel planning. We anticipate that use of this service at other colleges and universities will continue to grow.
Like the SLU-users network, only 802.1X-capable devices will be able to connect to eduroam.
Connecting to eduroam
- If your device is already connected to a wireless network, such as sluguest, simply
go to cat.eduroam.org and follow the instructions to configure your device for the secure eduroam network.
You can also select "eduroam" from the list of available networks on your device. - Visit the eduroam.org site for additional information.
- When prompted for your credentials, be sure to enter your full SLU email address and password.
sluguest
The sluguest network is an unencrypted wireless network designed to support authorized guests of the University, and faculty/staff/student-owned legacy wireless devices that do not support 802.1X connections. Note that all guest connections must agree to the University’s acceptable use policy.
Connecting to sluguest
- Select "sluguest" from the list of available wireless networks on your mobile device
You will be directed to: https://expressconnect.slu.edu/enroll/SaintLouisUniversity/guestwireless - Sometimes individual device settings and pop-up blockers may prevent the device from
launching expressconnect.slu.edu
In such cases, open the device's Internet browser manually and enter the URL from above to navigate directly to the page.
If you are unable to connect to sluguest, please contact the ITS Customer Service Desk at 314-977-4000.
Register with the network by logging in with Facebook, LinkedIn or Google or using a code, which can be sent to your personal email address or texted to your phone.
Note: Some SLU specific services may be available through VPN when connected to sluguest or eduroam.
The Resident Network is a wired network available to students in their dorms after first registering their computer.
Global Protect VPN Access is available for staff and faculty with demonstrated needs to access SLU systems and services from a location outside the SLU network. Examples include connecting to a specific application server to manage the application during non-working hours or connecting to a secured system to reset the system from remote locations.
To get VPN access, fill out the account request form. Once the request has been approved, if you are on a SLU machine, contact ITS at 314-977-4000 to have the software installed for you. For personal machines, go to https://connect.slu.edu/global-protect/portal/portal.esp, sign in and the website will walk you through downloading the software.
FAQ
I have installed the new client but can't connect and it keeps asking for an address.
What is this address?
If your new client is asking for a URL, please enter connect.slu.edu and use your
SLU Net ID and password for the log in username and password.
Can I have multiple VPN clients and connections running at the same time?
A computer can only support one active VPN connection at a time, however, a computer
can support multiple VPN clients installed.
What hardware is required to use Global Protect VPN?
To use Billiken Secure Connect, you need a laptop or desktop PC computer that meets
minimum hardware requirements and appropriate network connectivity.
What software is required to use to use Global Protect VPN?
You need a supported operating system (Windows 8, or higher, or Mac OS 10.5 or higher)
and the Cisco AnyConnect Client, available through connect.slu.edu. If you need the
client downloaded to a University-owned machine, please place a request through the
IT Service Desk by calling 314-977-4000.
Can I log in to my file server and access my mapped drives?
Yes, users can log in to a Windows-based file server and access mapped drives using
Global Protect VPN, including your department T and U drive if they have already been
mapped.
What do I do if I am having issues?
Please contact your local ITS Service Desk for more information, 314-977-4000.
Billiken Printing is a service that enables students to print from their personal computers to one of the networked printers on campus.
Did you know that you can access your network personal and shared drives (the U: and T: drives) from any computer? The MyFiles tool allows all faculty and staff members to view the documents saved to their SLU network drives from any location.
Follow these simple steps to access your MyFiles:
- Go to MyFiles.slu.edu
- Enter your SLU Net ID in the Name box of the pop-up window and enter your SLU Net password, then click "Log In."
- Please note: a SLU network login or VPN connection is required for this service.
Please note: In order to open the files, you must have the corresponding application or program installed on your computer. For example, to view a PDF file, you must have Adobe Reader installed and to access a PowerPoint presentation, you must have Microsoft PowerPoint installed.
Tips for a Better Experience
Wireless networking in an environment like residence halls or lecture halls is significantly different from wireless networking in a typical single family home.
SLU ITS deploys multiple access points in high usage areas try to maximize the experience for everyone, but interference coming from personal routers, wireless printers and other sources can cause trouble spots. Here are some tips to get the best experience:
- The fastest, most reliable connection is still available via the wired network. Some applications/internet activities only require a faster, more reliable connection that the wired network provides. The wired network has higher speeds and is not susceptible to radio interference from your neighbors.
- Personal wireless routers are not allowed at SLU. Personal routers are not permitted on the University's network for a good reason; they interfere with other wireless devices and can prevent the network from functioning correctly. In areas like the residence halls, personal wireless routers will cause issues like frequent disconnects and slow wireless for other people's devices.
- Plug in your printers. Wireless printers are a significant source of interference issues and students living in residence halls particularly should be careful to ensure the wireless radios on their personal printers are disabled. Students should only bring printers capable of a physical connection (USB or similar) to campus.
- Microwave on, Wi-Fi not so good. If you notice that your Wi-Fi quits working or gets slower when your roommate makes microwave popcorn, consider this: Microwave ovens and other devices can create interference that causes connectivity issues for any wireless device that communicates using 2.4 Gigahertz frequency.
- Upgrade your network card. The best wireless experience is available to wireless devices that work on the 5 Gigahertz frequency which has less interference and fewer users. If the built-in wireless network card on your device does not support 5 Gigahertz, you might be able to use a 5 GHz capable USB wireless card instead.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you have problems connecting your device to the SLU-users network, below are some of the most common solutions:
- Remove or forget the SLU-users network. Then try connecting to SLU-users again. You will be prompted to trust the security certificate and enter your SLU Net ID and password again.
- Power off the device and when you turn it back on see if it connects to SLU-users.
- Ensure your wireless device has all manufacturer recommended updates installed.
- If you continue to have problems, get assistance at ask.slu.edu.