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Download the Auditorium Wired Connection Guide. (PDF)
Connecting to Wi-Fi varies based on device (phone, laptop, tablet) and operating system (Mac/iOS, Windows, Linux, Android).
- The normal process for connecting to BCM’s Wi-Fi initially, is to select “bcm-wifi” and then enter your BCM credentials (BCM username and password).
- On a Mac or iPhone, you will be prompted to accept or trust a certificate which should allow you to connect afterwards.
- On Android devices, there are often additional fields to fill in, such as certificate information and domain. Most can remain as default; for domain enter “bcm.edu”.
If the connection fails, try entering “bcm\” before your username. For most failing to connect the first time (or after a password change) this should allow connection.
If you are having trouble staying connected to “bcm-wifi” after your initial connection setup, check the following settings:
- Check if you are currently connected to “bcm-guest”.
- The “connect automatically” is enabled.
Solution: Disable or delete/forget may resolve these issues.
Ethernet is the most common type of local area network (LAN) technology, and it involves a hardwired connection to the internet through Ethernet cables (either blue or yellow).
Ethernet has the benefit of being faster than Wi-Fi thanks to its use of cables for a wired connection and its lack of reliance on radio waves; it also happens to be more stable and secure for the same reasons.
Advantages of Ethernet
- Speed: An Ethernet connection is almost always faster than Wi-Fi because it uses a cable to transfer data nearly instantaneously, whereas a wireless network relies on the comparatively slow and diffuse transfer of data over radio waves.
- Stability: By the same token, Ethernet tends to make for a more stable connection to the internet than Wi-Fi, as its tethered cables provide a stability that a dependency on wireless frequencies can't consistently offer.
- Security: Ethernet connections are also more secure since BCM IT can control who has access to the network; if someone isn't connected to the network, they have no access to its data and devices.
How to get connected
- Plug in the ethernet adapter. (Complete this step if your device does NOT have an ethernet port). (Here’s an example of a usb-c ethernet adapter)
- Plug in the ethernet cable. (If you have an ethernet port, connect directly into your laptop ethernet port. If you have an ethernet adapter, connect to the ethernet adapter.)
- Depending on your device, the laptop should connect automatically and configure the laptop to use ethernet instead of Wi-Fi.
Here’s how you ensure your wired connection is active.
- On Windows: Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- On Macs: choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
- View the network connection status on the right. A green, yellow, red, or gray status indicator appears below the service name.
If you have issues accessing a specific website or specific application, please try browsing to a different website/application to ensure you are connected to the Internet.
If your Internet access is failing entirely, try the following solutions:
- Disconnect your device from “bcm-wifi”.
- Removing/deleting or forgetting “bcm-wifi” on your device.
- Then create a fresh connection with your BCM credentials as listed above.
- If you still have issues, please contact the IT Help Desk (see information below).
What is the difference between “bcm-wifi” and “bcm-guest”?
- Use “bcm-wifi” if you have BCM credentials to access it.
- The “bcm-guest” is intended for guest use and has zero access to anything internal to BCM, as well as being a lower priority connection by design.
If you still have issues or need assistance, please contact the IT Help Desk at 713-798-8737, visit https://it.bcm.edu, submit a ticket, or email wi-fiissues@bcm.edu. Please provide your BCM ID and location of your issue.