THE PROBLEM

It can be difficult or dangerous to connect internet of things (IoT) gadgets like sensors, smart light bulbs, switches, digital assistants, etc. to campus WiFi networks. Your information technology department may have instituted restrictions on connecting these devices to their network, a landing page may make connecting impossible, or no guest network may exist. Additionally, it is good practice to keep IoT gadgets on their own separate network for security. The FBI has made several recommendations including using a separate network for operating IoT gadgets safely.

Travel routers offer a convenient way to set up this separate network inexpensively and with portable equipment. Unlike your home router or the router in your workplace these routers are small and low power, and can even be run off a USB port on your computer! The range of these devices vary, but generally will cover a single room.

THE SOLUTION

Introducing the GL.iNet GL-USB150 Microuter! This handy little USB microrouter creates a small, easy to set-up WiFi network around your computer. When connected to your laptop, it will appear as a second network connection, letting you access all of your IoT gadgets as well as your campus internet. There are many travel routers out there that may better suit your needs, but this one is small, inexpensive, and has worked for me in the past. It is easy to use and portable.

Setup

1. Plug the microrouter into your computer
2. In your web browser, go to http://192.168.8.1 to complete setup (Documentation here)
3. If your devices will need internet access, you can connect your router to the campus internet itself using the connect tool on the main page.
4. Your router is now broadcasting. Connect your IoT gadgets to the network using their respective apps. You should see a network that starts with the words “GL-USB150…”. Your devices should have no problem connecting to this new network instead of the campus network.
5. Connect your tablet or phone to your new network when you want to control the devices with their apps. Your computer will always be connected to this network as well as the campus network, requiring no reconnection. It will treat the new network as a second network connection.

Potential Issues

• The GL-USB150 router is a 2.4 GHz device. If you plan on connecting it to the campus WiFi because some of your devices require internet access (note that many devices like switches, light bulbs, etc. do not need internet access, they can be operated on a network without an internet connection) you should verify it is not a newer 5 GHz network. Note that some devices, like Amazon Echo devices, do need internet access so putting them onto a network like this without setting up an internet connection will not work.
• Some IT policies forbid you from running your own networking equipment.

CONCLUSION

When volunteering in schools I have run into this problem before- a teacher wants to use a cool new gadget but it just won’t connect to the WiFi. This workaround as worked for me, and I hope it works for you!