Residential Living - Connecting to the Internet

By using the network services provided by UWSP you are bound to the Residential Living Network Connection Terms of Service.

What is my BEST option for connecting to the UWSP network?

Use a wired connection whenever possible. Using a wired connection will minimize interference from devices in neighboring rooms and elsewhere in close proximity. Wired connections can also provide better bandwidth making it a superior choice for gaming and streaming. 

Connecting to the wired network in your Residence Hall room is as simple as plugging one end of an ethernet cable into the wall jack and the other end into your network device. Ethernet cables are available at most large retail stores or on-line vendors.

  • Most Residence Hall rooms should use the jack near the window to ensure the jack is active.

  • Network jacks in Suites@201 Residence Hall rooms are all active and available to use.

I want to connect my laptop and mobile device to the wireless network

Use UWSPWIRELESS or Eduroam when connecting laptops, mobile phones, and any device which asks you to connect to the network with both a Username and Password.

Why should I connect my computer and mobile devices to UWSPDEVICE or Eduroam?
UWSPWIRELESS and Eduroam are regularly monitored. Gaming and streaming devices, and other devices that do not support Enterprise Authentication are routinely removed from these networks.


For help connecting to UWSPWIRELESS or Eduroam, see Information Technology's Wireless Setup Guides and Resident Room Wireless TIps. 


Connect these devices to UWSPWIRELESS or Eduroam

Connect these devices to the UWSPWIRELESS or Eduroam network:

  • iPhone, iPad

  • Macbook Laptop (Air, Pro or just a Macbook)

  • Mac Desktop (iMac, Pro)

  • Windows PC (Desktop, Laptop, Tablet or 2 in 1)

  • Android Phone

  • Android Tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab or other)

  • Chromebook

  • Linux Computer (Desktop, Laptop, Tablet or 2 in 1)

  • Any device that when attempting to connect to the UWSPWIRELESS network, you are prompted to enter both a username and password.

So what is Eduroam anyway?

When you're working at UWSP, UWSPWIRELESS and Eduroam provide the same access to all UWSP resources.

When you're away from UWSP, the Eduroam network is still available to you at participating education and research institutions throughout the world, providing you with secure roaming access to the internet.


 

I also want to connect my gaming or streaming devices to wifi

OK. Then to connect to the UWSPDEVICE network, you will need the MAC address of your device. See the section below, How to Find Your Device's MAC Address, for help locating MAC addresses. 

Tip: A wired connection will minimize interference from devices in neighboring rooms. Wired connections also provide better bandwidth, making it a superior choice for gaming and streaming media.

Once you have your device’s MAC address, click USE THIS FORM below to register your device with the UWSPDEVICE network. 

IMPORTANT: The correct format for a MAC address is six pairs of characters separated by colons. All letters must be capitalized.  An example MAC address: 00:15:BB:22:41:31

USE THIS FORM TO REGISTER WITH UWSPDEVICE

 

Returning Students who Previously Registered a Streaming or Gaming Device

If you are a returning student who previously registered a streaming or gaming device on the UWSPDEVICE wireless network you must change the UWSPDEVICE password used by your devices.

Returning Students - CLICK HERE for the new UWSPDEVICE password!


After registering, wait a few minutes.  Your device should now be connected to UWSPDEVICE.  If UWSPDEVICE is not found then turn your device off, and back on.

Turn off Private Addresses!  Devices that use Private Addresses such as newer versions of the Apple Watch, must have "Private Address" turned off to access the network.  If you have a newer Apple watch, information on where this setting is located can be found here.

Do not connect your computer or mobile device to the UWSPDEVICE network. This network is monitored and computers and mobile devices are routinely removed.

Connect these devices to UWSPDEVICE

Devices that should connect to UWSPDEVICE:

  • Smart TV's

  • Kindle Fire TV Streaming Stick

  • Android TV devices

  • Blu-Ray Players that can use Netflix or other apps

  • Game Consoles (ex: Steam Deck, ​Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 and 5)

  • Smart Speakers (ex: Amazon Echo, Google Home Mini/Regular/Max)

  • Android Wear OS Watch

  • Apple Watch (be sure to turn off Private address)

  • VR headsets​

  • Any device that if you try to connect it to UWSPWIRELESS, you cannot enter a username, it only asks for a password.

How to Find Your Device’s MAC Address

Amazon Devices

  1. Download the Amazon Alexa app to your phone or computer.

  2. Sign in with your Amazon account.

  3. Connect to the wireless network transmitted by your Echo device.

  4. The wireless MAC address for your Echo can be found at the bottom of the Echo Setup screen in the Alexa app.

Apple TV

  1. With your Apple TV remote, select Settings on the screen display.

  2. From the Settings menu, select General.

  3. Under General, select Network.

  4. Your device MAC Address will display to the right of Wi-Fi Address.

Apple Watch

For Apple Watches that have WiFi built in: 

  1. Tap the Watch app on your phone to open the app. 

  2. Tap General. 

  3. Tap About. 

  4. Locate Wi-Fi Address. The MAC address displays to the right.

Bose Wifi Speaker

  1. Download the latest version of Wi-Fi Setup Application located at www.bose.com/wifisetup.

  2. Open the Wi-Fi Setup Application.

  3. Once the app has finished searching for wireless networks, click the Help menu at the top of the window and select System Information.

Chromecast

  1. Open the Chromecast app on your computer. If you have set up your Chromecast recently, a shortcut to the app will be available on your desktop. Windows users can also look for the app from the Start Menu. Mac users should check Applications.

  2. In the Chromecast app click Settings. The MAC Address will be at the bottom of the window.

Fire Stick/TV

  1. From the Main Menu go to Settings.

  2. Select System.

  3. Go to About and toggle down to Network..

  4. Look for the MAC Address (Wi-Fi)

Kindle

  1. From the Home screen, press Menu.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Select Menu again.

The Wi-Fi MAC Address is located toward the bottom of the screen in the Device Info section.

Nintendo DS

  1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.

  2. Scroll down through the menu and select Internet.

  3. The Nintendo Switch console's MAC address will be listed under System MAC Address.

Nintendo Switch

  1. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu. System Settings is highlighted on the HOME Menu Screen.

  2. Scroll down through the menu on the left and select Internet.

  3. The Nintendo Switch console's MAC address will be listed under System MAC Address. Internet is highlighted on the System Settings menu.

PS5​

  1. Go to Settings.

  2. Go to Networking.

  3. Go to connection Status and then press on View Connection Status. 

  4. Look for the MAC Address (Wi-Fi).

​ PS4

  1. Arrow up and over to Settings in the PS4 menu.

  2. Scroll down to Network.

  3. Scroll down to View Connection Status.

The MAC Address will be listed next to MAC Address.

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Roku Stick/TV

  • On the back on your Roku look for a pair of six 2-digit pairs separated by colons, e.g. 00:0D:0A:1J:4G:5D. One set is for the Ethernet connector and for the other for the wireless connector.

  • To ensure that you are recording the MAC address to connect wirelessly, from the Roku home screen select Settings > Network > then locate the value next to Wireless MAC Address.

Smart TV/ Blu Ray Player

  • Most MAC Addresses will be visible in the Settings Menu, under either the Network or About sections.

  • Alternatively, check with the manufacturer for instructions on how to obtain the MAC Address for your specific model.

    • Note: some Smart TVs need to connect to Wi-Fi to create a Mac address. Try connecting the device to a hotspot to register a MAC Address.

Xbox One

  1. Navigate to My Games and Apps.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Select Network.

  4. Select Advanced Settings.

The MAC Addresses for the wired and wireless adapters should display.

Wii U

  1. From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.

  2. Using the Left Stick select the Internet icon and press the A Button.

  3. Select View MAC Address then wait briefly for the MAC Address to display.

​If you have a device that is not listed above you can try a browser search for the Device Model or Device Name to locate MAC Address, or reach out to the IT Service Desk for assistance.


For questions such as how to fix a pushed in port, or UWSP's policy on file sharing, see the Residential Living Technology section in Service Desk FAQs.

Have questions or need a little more help getting online?  Contact the IT Service Desk at 715-346-HELP (4357) or itsvdesk@uwsp.edu!
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