Sonos at University

I'd go for the security and privacy of the separate LAN provided by a travel router every time compared with plugging my Sonos into a shared network. Call me neurotic.....

I'd go for the security and privacy of the separate LAN provided by a travel router every time compared with plugging my Sonos into a shared network. Call me neurotic.....

Hopefully, your not neurotic...maybe a little overly cautious 🆒

John B - thanks. I was hoping life would be this simple, but previous posts on different but related threads talk about university security putting obstacles in the way of a normal set up. Hope yours is correct, though. That being the case, why even bother with a Bridge (although I have approximately 10 spare, new boxed bought with various promotions), and just ethernet wire the Play unit (whichever I buy) into the internet? Other discussions, as well as issues with security/ access, have spoken about prohibition of non-university networks. If this was the case, and he wanted to hardwire his computer as well, I was proposing to use a WiFi disabled BBHH5 as a double ethernet adapter allowing multiple wired access.
Guess we'll have to suck it and see, but I'm trying to anticipate as much as possible so we can drop off and have him up and running without issue. He suggested buying a Bose bluetooth device (shudder!) to make life simple but it would be nice to continue with the Sonos infrastructure we've invested in (about 17 various Play units) in anticipation of life post uni. Besides, without mum/ dad alarm clock, he will need the Sonos Alarm function at full volume each morning; has built up considerable playlists etc..

By using a bridge or boost (assuming you hard wire as I suggested) you gain versatility to place the Sonos speaker in the best location in the room. You could still provide multi wired Ethernet access by placing a multi-port Ethernet Switch between the university WAN port and the Sonos Bridge or Boost. The cost of a Multi- Port Ethernet switch is about $50 USD.

Thanks .. the size of a typical UK college room is such that optimum positioning should be achievable by use of a standard length ethernet cable.. lol.
He's just received various Fresher info via email, including this link to college IT connectivity:
https://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/computing/network-connections/fcdn-connection-conditions-of-use
This states specifically that routers cannot be used and that each device has to be individually registered. How does one register a Play unit which is normally connected merely by plugging into the ethernet port (directly or indirectly via Bridge) without any formal registration process?

Let's take stock. I am extremely sceptical that you can just plug the Play:1 or a Boost/Bridge into the Ethernet port and have it work just like it was your home router. I doubt t would work technically and I can't see the College allowing it from what you have provided.

My question is now, do they object to routers being attached to the network, or to routers being there at all, e.g. because they are worried about RF interference? If there is no objection to the presence of a router, then @AtterKing's suggestion of using the HH5 standalone to play local content but not stream from the internet is the best option, I would say.

This would allow music on a phone or computer connected to the HH5 to be played. (Obviously, when the laptop is connected to the college network, it cannot also be on the HH5 LAN.)

If you can go down this route, get it set up and working before he leaves.

Does the HH5 have a USB port? you can fit a heck of a lot of music on a USB 64Gb flash drive, and this could be defined as his Sonos Music Library.

Thanks .. the size of a typical UK college room is such that optimum positioning should be achievable by use of a standard length ethernet cable.. lol.
He's just received various Fresher info via email, including this link to college IT connectivity:
https://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/computing/network-connections/fcdn-connection-conditions-of-use
This states specifically that routers cannot be used and that each device has to be individually registered. How does one register a Play unit which is normally connected merely by plugging into the ethernet port (directly or indirectly via Bridge) without any formal registration process?

There's more than one way to register a device on a network. Registration does not always require a computer to log into a database. Registration can be as simple as connecting to the University's Network which will assign an IP Address to the device. The same principle applies when you connect a Sonos speaker to your home network it get's assigned an IP Address by your router.

You should contact the University tell them what you want to do and ask if a Sonos Speaker which only accepts incoming traffic (meaning that it can't act as a computer) can be considered as registered by the IP Address that will be assigned to it upon Ethernet connection. The University can see every device by it's IP Address. They can even assign a name to a device if they so desire.

I also mentioned using a switch in the setup to allow other devices to connect via a wired connection. I clicked the link you provided and here's what appears under the first point:

1.The Network Connection is provided for the connection of a specific registered computer, This means: 1.You may connect the Ethernet adapter of your computer directly to the FCDN or via a simple unmanaged switch.

A switch is acceptable. An Unmanaged Switch allows you to connect one of its ports to a WAN while the other act as LAN's. You can't manipulate any of the port characteristics such assigning one as a POE (Power Over Ethernet) or any other specific that might be accomplished by a router.

Not saying that any of what I suggested is allowed by the University (although I can't see why not because as we know a switch IS allowed) but if so the solution is simple and cost effective.

Last items...
1. you should ask how many devices can one student register on the University's network. According to the Universities policy each registered device (computer) is subject to an access fee. Need to determine if a speaker is considered a computer.

2. Are the Wired and Wireless Networks administered by the same Host. Meaning is the IP Address assigned by the WAN port recognized over WiFi.

If the two networks are separate the Sonos Controller App won't be able to see the Sonos speaker(s).

Last resort - Bite the bullet and buy a decent BT speaker. An advantage for a college student vs Sonos is the party goes mobile! Rock on Man! :8

Good Luck🆒

John B... thanks very much. Just about left no stones unturned....the downside of a portable speaker is he'll probably leave it somewhere and not remember within a week of arriving.

I think I'm being credited with suggestions I'm not making!

John B... thanks very much. Just about left no stones unturned....the downside of a portable speaker is he'll probably leave it somewhere and not remember within a week of arriving.

Don't know if you intended to include Jon B in your reply as you spoke to my comment about the portable BT speaker. LOL. No worries we're all on the same team. 🆒

As to a router the University policy states:

2.You must not connect any wired or wireless router to any part of the CUDN

The university may interpret a router as a router even when its wireless is turned off. It becomes even more complicated by definition given the fact that every router (with the exception of Apples) has an IP Address - ( such as in USA - 192.168. X . X .) that can be reached to make changes on a network. Meaning just having the potential may be a violation of the University's policy regarding personal routers. So my take on this again is -

1. Unmanaged Switch - OK
2. Router - Not OK.

Clarification:
Not to say that Apple routers don't register an IP Address -- it just that can't be reached by typing it into a web browser.