When to bring a router

If you are living in a dorm hall on campus, a router is not recommended for general internet use cases. The provided HAP (Hospitality Access Point) in your room should be sufficient for web browsing and getting schoolwork done. 

A router is only recommended in dorm buildings when students wish to use a device that requires a personal network, such as a wireless printer, or a streaming device, such as a Chrome Cast, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV. Students that play Video Games also find that bringing a router may fit their needs.

If you live in a non-dorm UW Housing location, like University Houses, Harvey Street Apartments, or University Apartments (Eagle Heights), a router is recommended. Harvey Street Apartments residents may get a stable connection to UWNet, but the signal strength in some locations isn't perfect. At University Houses and Harvey Street locations, the Data Jacks on the walls in the apartments are plug-and-play, so residents should be able to bring a supported router, plug it in, and enjoy their Wi-Fi connection. University Apartments (Eagle Heights) residents will need to register their router to be able to get a WiFi connection in their apartment. 

Register your router

1. Do not plug in your router before registering it to UWNet. If you do plug in your router and try to connect before registering, you must unplug it for at least 15 minutes. Then, register the device to UWNet and connect it.
2. Follow the instructions in your router's user manual to perform any first-time setup.
   • If setup requires you to connect your router to the internet, you may plug it into your data jack. Remember, you must unplug it and wait at least 15 minutes before continuing with registration.
3. Follow the steps at UWNet - Register a Device Without a Browser to register your router on campus.

Routers not supported by UWNet

It is not the Help Desk's responsibility to recommend hardware to customers. Routers must have a WAN/Internet port to be compatible on UWNet.

A router is not recommended for general internet use cases. Routers can allow students to use devices that requires a personal network (streaming devices, wireless printers, etc.)

The Netgear WNR2000v5 - N300 router will not work with our infrastructure. 

Modems are not supported.