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)
  • fishos@lemmy.worldEnglish
    46·
    3 months ago

    Users are often dumb. Imagine 100 people who think they know what they’re doing trying to set up a bunch of custom networking.

    That’s your dorm.

    Most dorms either outright prohibit using personal hardware like that or require the schools IT department to install it themselves and set it up.

    Run a network of your own someday and you’ll understand. It’s hard enough to get your own network working perfectly without a bunch of wildcards popping up everywhere.

    • billwashere@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      3 months ago

      Do you know how many times I have killed my own network at home and I control EVERYTHING!! I’m the only wildcard…. Of course I have ADHD and documentation is not my strong suit 🤣

    • areyouevenreal@lemm.eeEnglish
      7·
      3 months ago

      I’ve never seen this happen. The reality is unless it’s a dorm full of CS students most don’t know fuck all about WiFi, networks, or want to pay for their own routers. It’s better to talk to the few who would attempt something like this.

      No what this actually is is the ISP trying to make money charging for more devices.

    • repungnant_canary@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      3 months ago

      If someone deploys their router using a uni network as wan then I don’t see how that could affect other uni network users? I can imagine some internal services might not work behind such a router but it would be illogical of the user to blame anyone but themselves.

      • Breve@pawb.socialEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        The post mentioned a wireless mesh network, so it sounds like the ISP/provider already has a bunch of wireless access points set up to cover the whole building. One of the problems with high-density living spaces is that there are only a limited number of communication channels WiFi can use, so if everyone living there also runs their own wireless networks they use up all the available channels and have to cross-talk over eachother, leading to everything slowing down.

      • fishos@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        If everything is set up perfectly, it should work, sure. Now how many people do you think even know the difference between WAN and LAN? You expecting the bio or art major to not make any mistakes at all? Or the business major?

        • repungnant_canary@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          3 months ago

          But if the bio or art major can seriously affect your network then is that even their fault? What if someone had skill and malicious intent?

          • fishos@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            3 months ago

            Lmao you are oblivious if you think it’s possible to set up a network that someone CANT fuck up while having physical access to it.

            It’s not magic.

            The point is NETWORKS ARE COMPLICATED. Users are generally dumb. The point is you don’t expect them to have the knowledge to do it right. So they’ll break something. Users with actual knowledge could yes, break things even worse.

            That’s EXACTLY why they’re restricting hardware use.

            Welcome to the conversation, smh

            • repungnant_canary@lemmy.worldEnglish
              4·
              3 months ago

              I do know from experience that networks are complicated and users are dumb, but I still think that if someone with barely any knowledge and without malicious intent can mess with your network then something’s wrong with the setup.