Register Game Consoles for BOWDOIN-PSK

Questions

  • How do I connect my PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch to Bowdoin Wi-Fi?
  • Can Bowdoin Bot register my game console for me?
  • Why won't my game console join the BOWDOIN or eduroam network?
  • How do I register a game console for BOWDOIN-PSK?
  • How do I find the Wi-Fi MAC address on my console?
  • Do I need to register my console if I'm using an Ethernet cable?
  • My console registration expired. How do I register it again?
  • I lost the password from my registration email. How do I get a new one?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff who want to connect a gaming console to campus wireless. Gaming consoles cannot connect to the BOWDOIN or eduroam networks because those networks use WPA2-Enterprise authentication, which consoles do not support.

Bowdoin provides a dedicated wireless network called BOWDOIN-PSK for these devices. BOWDOIN-PSK uses a unique password for each registered device. This article covers:

  • Sony PlayStation 5
  • Microsoft Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S
  • Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED

For streaming devices and smart speakers such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Amazon Echo, see Register Streaming Devices and Smart Speakers for BOWDOIN-PSK in the Related Articles section.

Ethernet users: Registration is only required for wireless connections. A console connected to a wall Ethernet port does not need to be registered.
Do not use BOWDOIN-PSK for computers, phones, or tablets. Computers, phones, and tablets should connect to eduroam or BOWDOIN instead. Devices found on the wrong network will be removed.

Resolution

Step 1: Find your console's Wi-Fi MAC address

Each console has a unique Wi-Fi Media Access Control (MAC) address: a 12-character identifier made up of numbers and letters, often separated by colons (for example, A1:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6). You need the console's MAC address to register it. Many consoles list both a wired (Ethernet) and a wireless MAC address. Use the wireless MAC address.

  • PlayStation 5: Go to Settings > System > System Software > Console Information. The wireless MAC address is listed there.
  • Xbox One: Go to Settings > Network > Advanced settings. The wireless MAC address is shown on screen.
  • Xbox Series X|S: Go to Settings > General > Network settings > Advanced settings, then select Wireless MAC address.
  • Nintendo Switch / Switch OLED: Go to System Settings > Internet > Console Information. The wireless MAC address is listed there.
MAC address randomization: Some consoles have a setting that randomizes the MAC address they broadcast. Because a BOWDOIN-PSK registration is tied to one specific MAC address, a randomized address stops the console from connecting even after a successful registration. If your console offers a Use device MAC or similar setting in its network options, make sure the setting is turned on before you register the console.

Step 2: Register your console with Bowdoin Bot or the BOWDOIN-PSK portal

You can register a console in a chat with Bowdoin Bot or at the BOWDOIN-PSK registration portal. Both options create the same registration and email the console's wireless password to your Bowdoin email. Bowdoin Bot also shows the password in the chat.

Register your console with Bowdoin Bot

  1. Open Bowdoin Bot from the chat button on any page of the Bowdoin IT knowledge base, and type Register my game console for BOWDOIN-PSK (or something similar).
  2. Sign in with your Bowdoin account when Bowdoin Bot asks you to.
  3. Select Game console, then type a name for the console (for example, Alex's PlayStation 5) and the console's Wi-Fi MAC address.
  4. Bowdoin Bot registers the console and shows the console's wireless password in the chat. The BOWDOIN-PSK registration system also emails the same password to your Bowdoin email.
  5. Connect the console to BOWDOIN-PSK, then tell Bowdoin Bot whether the console connected. If the console still can't connect, Bowdoin Bot sends what it did to Bowdoin IT so someone can follow up.

Register your console at the BOWDOIN-PSK portal

  1. On a computer or phone, open a web browser and go to bowdoin-psk.bowdoin.edu.
  2. Sign in with your Bowdoin email address and password. The portal uses Single Sign-On (SSO), so you may already be signed in.
  3. Select Create.
  4. Enter your console's Wi-Fi MAC address in the field provided.
  5. Enter a descriptive name for the console (for example, Alex's PlayStation 5) so you can identify the console later.
  6. Select Create to complete the registration.
  7. Check your Bowdoin email for a message containing the console's registration details and its unique wireless password. You can also print the registration details from the portal.
Save your password email. The BOWDOIN-PSK portal will not display the password again after you leave the page. If you lose the password, ask Bowdoin Bot for a new one, or return to bowdoin-psk.bowdoin.edu, open the console's registration, and generate a new password.

Step 3: Connect your console to BOWDOIN-PSK

  1. On your console, open the network or Wi-Fi settings and select BOWDOIN-PSK.
  2. Enter the console's unique password, from the Bowdoin Bot chat or your registration email, exactly as shown, including capital letters.
  3. The console should now connect to the BOWDOIN-PSK network.
Do not connect your console to BOWDOIN-GUEST at any time. A console that connects to BOWDOIN-GUEST, before or after registering for BOWDOIN-PSK, will be unable to join BOWDOIN-PSK. If that happens, tell Bowdoin Bot My console won't connect to BOWDOIN-PSK. Bowdoin Bot can clear the BOWDOIN-GUEST record and give the console a new password. See Troubleshoot Devices on the BOWDOIN-PSK Network in the Related Articles section for more help.

There is no set limit to the number of consoles you can register. Registrations carry over between semesters but expire once a year. If a console's registration expires, register the console again with Bowdoin Bot or at the BOWDOIN-PSK portal.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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Related Articles (4)

Register Streaming Devices and Smart Speakers for BOWDOIN-PSK
Instructions for registering streaming devices, smart TVs, and smart speakers such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Echo for the BOWDOIN-PSK wireless network, either in a chat with Bowdoin Bot or at the BOWDOIN-PSK registration portal. Also covers finding the device's Wi-Fi MAC address and connecting with the device's own password.
Troubleshoot Devices on the BOWDOIN-PSK Network
Troubleshooting for gaming consoles, smart TVs, streaming devices, and smart speakers that won't connect to the BOWDOIN-PSK wireless network. Explains how Bowdoin Bot can fix a device that was on BOWDOIN-GUEST and give it a new password, and covers wrong passwords, expired registrations, MAC address randomization, and devices that aren't compatible.
Unable to set up Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Nest Audio
Explains why Google Home, Google Nest, and other Google smart speakers cannot be set up on Bowdoin's campus wireless network due to WPA2-Enterprise security requirements and network segmentation. Applies to all students and staff.
Unable to setup smart lights or smart switches in a dorm room or office space
Explains why smart lights, smart bulbs, smart switches, and similar consumer smart home devices cannot be set up or used on Bowdoin's campus network due to WPA2-Enterprise security and network segmentation. Applies to students in dorm rooms and employees in offices.

Related Services / Offerings (1)

Register a Connected Device
Register a game console, smart TV, or streaming device on Bowdoin's BOWDOIN-PSK network. This button opens the self-service registration portal — it does not create a ticket.