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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鈥檚 Wi-Fi initially, is to select 鈥渂cm-wifi鈥 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 鈥渂cm.edu鈥.
If the connection fails, try entering 鈥渂cm\鈥 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 鈥渂cm-wifi鈥 after your initial connection setup, check the following settings:
- Check if you are currently connected to 鈥淏CM-Internet鈥.
- The 鈥渃onnect automatically鈥 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鈥檚 an example of a )
- 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鈥檚 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 >鈥疭ystem 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 鈥渂cm-wifi or bcm-internet鈥.
- Removing/deleting or forgetting 鈥渂cm-wifi or bcm-internet鈥 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 鈥渂cm-wifi鈥 and 鈥渂cm-internet鈥?
- Use 鈥渂cm-wifi鈥 if you have BCM credentials to access it.
- The 鈥渂cm-internet鈥 is intended for personal devices and visitors, providing access to the internet and has zero access to anything internal to BCM.
If you still have issues or need assistance, please contact the IT Help Desk at 713-798-8737, visit , . Please provide your BCM ID and location of your issue.