I just moved into a student dorm for a semester abroad, and beforehand I emailed them asking whether they had ethernet ports to plug my router into (I use it to connect all my devices, and for WiVRn VR streaming). They confirmed that I could, but now that I’m here the wifi login portal is asking me to accept these terms from the ISP, which forbid plugging in a router. There’s another clause that forbids “Disruptive Devices” entirely, defined as:

“Disruptive Device” means any device that prevents or interferes with our provision of the 4Wireless to other customers (such as a wireless access point such as wireless routers) or any other device used by you in breach of the Acceptable Use Policy;

So what are my options? I don’t think I can use this service without accepting the terms, but also I was told by the student dorm support that I could bring a router, which contradicts this.

EDIT: some additional context:

  • dorm provider is a company separate from my uni (they have an agreement but that’s it)
  • ISP (ask4) is totally separate from dorm provider, and have installed a mesh network that requires an account. On account creation, there are many upsells including one for connecting more than one device. The “free” plan only allows me to sign in on a single device, and I can upgrade to two devices for 15 pounds.
  • ethernet requires login too
  • VR streaming requires a high performance wifi 6 network, which is why I bought this router (Archer C6 from tp-link)
  • doggle@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    1102·
    2 months ago

    The reason they don’t want you using your own WiFi access point is probably because dorms are prone to over congestion if everyone sets up their own WiFi network.

    If you wanted to fuck with them-and you don’t mind spending money-then you could set up your WiFi and get internet via mobile carrier or starlink, so that you never actually have to agree to their terms. Then when/if someone comes around to bitch at you you can watch them slowly come to the conclusion that they’ve got nothing on you.

    Otherwise your options are to follow the rules to the letter and live without vr streaming, or accept that you might get in trouble. Some WiFi routers can be configured to not advertise their network; annoying because you’ll have to manually enter the network information on every device, but it might keep you from getting caught.

    As for connecting multiple devices without paying; there’s probably some creative ways to tunnel all your traffic through a single device to get around that. Could still get you in trouble if you’re caught.

    If you’re doing anything that could get you in trouble with the school make sure you save the email in which they told you using your own router is allowed.

    • Skates@feddit.nlEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      Some WiFi routers can be configured to not advertise their network; annoying because you’ll have to manually enter the network information on every device, but it might keep you from getting caught.

      Just name the network something like Samsung S20 Personal Hotspot. They’re not gonna look into why a student created a Hotspot with their phone.

      Or, shit - lock the fucking door.

        • Skates@feddit.nlEnglish
          3·
          2 months ago

          IT does? Damn, didn’t know - my bad. Where I’m from IT doesn’t have the keys, and the people that do have the keys know better than to try entering people’s dorms, unless it’s really something critical. Wifi doesn’t qualify.

          • computergeek125@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            2 months ago

            Where I went to college, they probably didn’t directly have the key, that’d have to go through maintenance. But one of the things you signed on to initially was for maintenance to enter if they needed to while you were out.

            Plus, at least half of the WAPs were actually in rooms and not hallways, so to service the network beyond IDF problems they’d have to get in

    • WolfLink@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      5·
      2 months ago

      You don’t actually need internet for the VR streaming part, so you could just set up a router not plugged into the wall

      • utopiah@lemmy.worldEnglish
        25·
        2 months ago

        You do if you are rendering in the cloud, e.g NVIDIA CloudXR. Not sure what OP plans to do.

          • utopiah@lemmy.worldEnglish
            23·
            2 months ago

            Sure yet it’s a perfectly legitimate one. I’m not OP, it might be exactly their use case.

              • utopiah@lemmy.worldEnglish
                11·
                2 months ago

                I’m not sure if you played PCVR in the Summer but imagine that in a tiny room… it’s just way too hot. Again I’m NOT saying it’s good, or bad, I’m only saying you made assumption about OP usage. I’m not sure if you tried CloudXR but basically, it works and it’s not that complex to setup (e.g 1h) so it’s relatively faster and cheaper than building and owning a gaming PC.

                I don’t understand why you are even arguing about a legitimate usage.

                • mojofrododojo@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  2·
                  2 months ago

                  because I’ve been into vr for about a decade and know no one who uses cloudXR. 120hz ain’t gonna happen over a college dorm network. 90hz on quest 2 would be very challenging.

                  wait, you realize, his requirement for streaming has NOTHING to do with cloud rendering right?

                  • utopiah@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    11·
                    2 months ago

                    You’re just making another assumption, maybe the dorm has optic fiber with a big bandwidth and a lower latency that most home and business connection. Maybe OP doesn’t care about 120hz and only heat. I don’t think you are getting my point if you are pointing out imperfection about the current technology : it’s possible.