Questions
- How do I connect my game console or streaming device to Bowdoin’s wireless network?
- Why can’t my device join the standard “BOWDOIN” wireless network?
- How do I find the wireless MAC address for my device?
- Do I need to register my device if I am using an Ethernet cable?
Environment
This article applies to game consoles, streaming devices, and other smart devices that cannot authenticate to the standard BOWDOIN wireless network. Examples include Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Wii U, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Echo, and Amazon Fire TV devices. These devices must use the BOWDOIN-PSK wireless network when connecting over Wi‑Fi.
Resolution
Many game consoles and smart devices cannot connect to the standard BOWDOIN wireless network due to operating system limitations. To use Wi‑Fi, you must register your device’s wireless MAC address and obtain a device password for the BOWDOIN-PSK network.
Note: You do not need to register your device if you are connecting it to a wall Ethernet port. Registration is required only for wireless connections.
A MAC address is a 12-character value made up of six pairs of letters and numbers separated by colons (for example, 00:0D:0A:1H:3G:5C). Many devices list both wired (Ethernet) and wireless MAC addresses. Be sure to record the wireless MAC address.
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Find the wireless MAC address on your device.
- PlayStation 4: Go to Settings > System > System Information. Locate the wireless MAC address.
- Xbox 360: Go to System Settings > Network Settings > Configure Network > Additional Settings > Advanced Settings. Locate the wireless MAC address.
- Xbox One: Go to Settings > Network > Advanced Settings. Record the wireless MAC address shown on screen.
- Wii U: From System Settings, select the Internet icon and choose View MAC Address.
- Nintendo Switch: Refer to System Settings > Internet > Console Information to locate the wireless MAC address.
- Amazon Echo/Echo Dot: Use the Amazon Alexa app during device setup to view network details. The device temporarily broadcasts a setup network. Do not enable network broadcasting after setup, as this violates Bowdoin’s Acceptable Use policies.
- Amazon Fire TV / Fire Stick: From the home screen, go to Settings > My Fire TV or System > About > Network. The MAC address appears on the right.
- Roku: From the home screen, select Settings > About to view the MAC address. You can also find it printed on the device (location varies by model). If completing setup to obtain the MAC address, choose Private Network (not Guest Network).
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Register the wireless MAC address for access to the BOWDOIN-PSK network and obtain the device password.
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Connect your device to “BOWDOIN-PSK” using the assigned device password.
Note: The original Nintendo Wii is not compatible with Bowdoin’s wireless network.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you can chat with Bowdoin Bot of contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk by phone at (207) 725-3030 or in person at the Tech Hub in Smith Union.