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Connecting to the Internet

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Connecting to the Internet

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Wireless Networks

  • Western-Encrypted: A secure, restricted, encrypted network that requires your Western username and password. Recommended for all uses except as described below.
  • Western-Visitors: This network serves three purposes.
    • It allows limited temporary access for visitors to campus. When they open their browser, they will have to log in, and it will allow them to have internet access for up to five days each month.
    • It gives students access to an unencrypted network for devices like game consoles, Roku, Apple TV, etc.
    • If you are a student and cannot access the encrypted network no matter what you try, you can use the visitors network. When you connect, you can open your browser, and there will be an option to log in with your student email and password. The encrypted network is more secure—this should only be a last resort for students if nothing else works.

System Requirements

Nearly all modern computers, tablets, phones and game consoles are able to connect to the network. Computers are required to have a modern operating system, be up to date with the latest security updates and have an effective antivirus installed.

IMPORTANT: Anyone using the network MUST agree to the Acceptable Use Policy or you will not be able to connect.

How to Connect:

Windows

  1. Connect to the “Western-Encrypted” wireless network.
  2. When prompted, type in your student email and password.
  3. You will get a pop-up asking to Accept the Certificate.
  4. Click Connect.
  5. You will now be connected to Western-Encrypted.

  1. Select Western-Encrypted from the Available Networks.
  2. You will get a pop-up asking for WPA2 enterprise credentials.
  3. Type in your username and password.
  4. Select Join (you can remember the network to connect easily next time).
  5. Accept the certificate and click continue.
  6. You do need admin privileges to accept the certificate.
  7. Now you should be connected to Western-Encrypted.

IT prefers that you use the wireless network over a wired connection unless your device cannot connect wirelessly. If this is the case, contact IT Services at 970.943.3333 with your building, room number and jack number. Or come to the student helpdesk at Taylor Hall 125 with that information.

Connect your game console, TVs, Rokus, etc., to the “Western-Visitors” network or use the wired network jack in your room.

You will then have to get on a computer or a smart phone, connect to the Western – Encrypted network in order to register your device:

  1. Go to connect.western.edu and log in with your student email and your password.
  2. Click on “Create Device” and pick a name for your device under Device Name (e.g. “Bob’s Xbox Wireless”).
  3. Enter the device’s MAC address (Wired/Wireless). If you don’t know how to find this, please let us know and we can help, or check the examples we have for Finding MAC address.
  4. Check “Enable Airgroup” if you want other devices to be able to connect to it. This could include wireless printers, or media sharing devices like Chromecast or Fire TV Stick. Select “Shared” ownership if sharing with other accounts is desired, and enter user account names under the “Shared With” section.
  5. Select “Create Device”
  6. Connect your device to Western-Visitors Wi-Fi.
  7. You can add as many devices as you would like this way!

If you are having issues getting your device connected, please contact the Student Helpdesk.

Finding MAC Addresses:

A MAC Address is a unique network identifier that is specific to a single device. It consists of a combination of 12 letters and numbers, and can typically be found either on a sticker on the outside of the device itself or within the system menus. Example: A1:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6

If a device has the ability to connect both through wired or wireless, it has multiple MAC addresses. In this case, you must register the correct MAC address, depending on whether you are using a physical cable (wired) or a wireless connection.
Instructions to locate the MAC address may vary based on model and version. The examples below are for illustrative purposes only.

Game Consoles

  • Nintendo Switch – System Settings > Internet > Under the connection status you will find System MAC Address
  • Playstation 5 – Power On without a disc > PS5 Menu > Settings > Network > View Connection Status > MAC Address (LAN) and MAC Address (Wi-Fi) will be listed
  • PlayStation 4 – Settings > System Settings > System Information > You should see Wired LAN Cable and Wi-Fi MAC address
  • Wii or Wii U – From the Wii Channel menu select Wii Settings (the round button in the bottom-left of the screen with “Wii” on it) > Internet > Console Settings or View MAC Address
  • Xbox One – Settings > All Settings > Network > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Under IP Settings you will see Wired MAC and Wireless MAC
  • Xbox 360 – System > Network Settings > Configure Network > Additional Settings > Advanced Settings

Multimedia Devices

  • Amazon Alexa – Download Amazon Alexa app on your phone or computer > Use Amazon Account to sign in > Connect to the wireless network transmitted by the Echo device > In the bottom of the Setup screen in the Alexa app you can find the wireless MAC Address for the Echo
  • Apple TV – Main menu > Settings > Network
  • Chromecast – Reset device by pressing and holding the side button > connect your phone, tablet or laptop to the ChromecastXXXX wireless network > from the Connect to Wi-Fi screen tap on More menu icon located in the top right corner > tap on Show MAC Address
  • Fire TV Stick – Home button on remote control > Settings > Device/My Fire TV > About
  • Roku TV – Settings > System > About > The MAC Address will be listed on the bottom of the screen

Major Network “Dont’s”

We do our best to provide a free and open computing environment on campus. There are a few things that we ask you not to do, primarily because of the severe negative effect it can have on the performance and accessibility of the network. If we detect any of the situations described below (or any other situation which is causing harm or is obviously illegal), we must reserve the right to block network access until the problem is resolved.

  • Do not run a DHCP or DNS server on the campus network.
  • Do not use a wireless router on campus—it will interfere with the campus wireless and decrease performance and reliability for everyone.
  • Do not use a wireless printer on campus (see Wireless Router).
  • Do not use the campus network to share or download copyrighted material to which you do not have a legal right.

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