Wireless at Georgia College & State University

Faculty and Staff will connect to the Bobcats Wireless Network using their gcsu.edu address and password to authenticate.

The Bobcats Wireless Network provides an extra layer of security and access to authorized GCSU users.  The secure wireless network requires users to login using their GCSU credentials to gain access to the Internet or University resources.  Staff and Faculty may connect their personal devices to the Bobcats wireless network.

Instructions: From your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet

• Select the Bobcats network from the list of available wireless networks.
• Accept the certificate if presented.
• Enter your username  (your @gcsu.edu email address)
• Enter your campus password

Once connected to the Bobcats wireless network, you will be able to seamlessly connect in all buildings on campus and in housing.  You will need to enter your password again only if you use a different device or change your password.

eduroam, a free wireless service, is available at Georgia College & State University. eduroam allows all GCSU students, faculty and staff to get wireless service when visiting participating eduroam institutions in the U.S. and abroad.  eduroam is a wireless network option available throughout the GCSU campus. All GCSU students, faculty and staff have access to eduroam while on campus with their wireless devices.

To access eduroam, your full GCSU email address and password will be used to authenticate to the network. Please note that when your GCSU password is updated, it must also be updated for eduroam access. eduroam allows students, faculty and staff of participating eduroam schools to get Internet access across institutions using their school’s credentials.

eduroam provides a list of current U.S. participants and international participants. Many higher education institutions in the United States are eduroam participants. eduroam is also available at educational institutions and research facilities in more than 85 countries. All USG colleges and universities have joined the eduroam network and will soon have it deployed on their campuses.

Other information about eduroam can be found here:
https://www.incommon.org/eduroam/eduroam-u-s-locator-map/

Campus visitors may utilize the wireless network by creating a temporary account when connecting to the Bobcats Guests wireless network on campus or the Bobcat Guests wireless network while in housing. 

Self Registration

A cell phone capable of receiving an SMS text message is required. If you do not have a texting plan, you may be charged for the text or it may be rejected by your phone.  Standard data rates and charges will apply.

You can create your temporary account on your phone, computer or tablet.  You will need the cell phone to receive the text with your password.

• Select the Bobcats Guest wireless network if on campus and the Bobcat Guests wireless network if in a housing building from the list of available wireless networks on your device. 
• You may be presented with a certificate, accept the certificate, and you will be directed to the registration page.
• Select the link to create a new account
• Enter in the information requested and select register. 
• Your username and your password for the day will be sent to your phone via an SMS text.
• enter your username and password on the logon page to gain access to the wireless network.

You may use the same username and password for up to three devices.

In Person Request

If you do not have a cell phone capable of receiving a text message or would prefer not to use it, contact the  IT Help Desk in person or by phone for assistance.  A state issued ID and home phone number will be required.

The IT Help Desk is located in Room 121 in the Ina Dillard Russell Library. Office hours and information for the IT Help Desk may be found here.

Guest registration access is good for 7 days and can be used to authenticate up to 3 devices.  If you should be on campus for more than 7 days, you will need to go through the registration process again.

Students will connect to the Bobcats Wireless Network using their bobcats.gcsu.edu address and password to authenticate.

The Bobcats wireless networks require users to login using their GCSU credentials to gain access to the Internet or university resources.  Students may connect their personal devices to the Bobcats wireless networks utilizing their @bobcats.gcsu.edu username and campus password.

The following devices are not supported or allowed on the GCSU network.

• Personal Wireless Routers
• Wireless Printers in Ad Hoc Mode

If these devices are found on the wired or wireless network, they will be shut down and you will be referred to housing disciplinary board.

Instructions: From your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet

1. Select the Bobcats network from the list of available wireless networks.
2. Accept the certificate if presented.
3. Enter your username (your @bobcats.gcsu.edu email address)
4. Enter your campus password

Once connected to the wireless network, you will be able to seamlessly connect in all buildings on campus and in housing.  You will need to enter your username and password again only if you use a different device or change your password.

If you would like to connect a device to the network such as your TV, gaming system, or other network connected system, you will need to register that device.  Instructions for registering and connecting network attached devices can be found below.

If you have issues connecting your device to the network please contact the IT Help Desk.

Students in Housing will have to register certain devices to gain access to the network in housing.

Gaming, TV,  Streaming Devices, and Printers

The authentication system utilized at GCSU does not support certain devices such as game consoles, TVs, streaming devices, wireless printers, and other network capable devices. 

The following devices utilize your credentials to connect to the Bobcat Devices wireless network.

• Android*
• Chromebook*
• iOS   
• Kindle (all)    
• Mac OS X   
• Nook (all)   
• Windows

*Settings to connect an Android device or Chromebook are below

• EAP method- PEAP
• Phase 2 authentication- MSCHAPV2
• CA certificate- Use system certificates
• Online Certificate Status- Do not verify
• Domain- gcsu.edu
• Identity- full email address
• Anonymous identity- leave blank
• Password- GCSU account password

The following devices require manual registration and must be connected to the Bobcat Devices wireless network.

• Amazon Echo (all)
• Amazon Fire TV (all)
• AppleTV
• Google Home (all)
• Nintendo Switch
• Playstation (all)
• Roku (all)
• Smart TV (all)
• Wireless Printers (all)
• Wii U
• Xbox (all)

The following devices do NOT work currently on the GC&SU network.

• Apple HomePod
• Nintendo Wii
• Smart Light Bulbs
• Smart Plugs
• Smart Switches

To register a device

You will need your user name (full email address), your Unify password, and the MAC (device ID or media access control) address of the devices. Information on finding your mac address can be found here.  Once you register your device, the status will show as "Pending".  This status will not change, but that is not an indication the registration failed. 

Need help finding your MAC address?

MAC ADDRESS HELP

1. Locate the MAC address of the device.  See instructions above. For printers, consult your user documentation or contact the printer manufacturer.
2. Go to "mydevices.gcsu.edu" in your browser window.
3. Log on using your @bobcats.gcsu.edu address and password.
4. Select "Add".
5. In Device Name, enter a name for your device.  Use something like username-device.  An example would be john.student-xbox1.
6. In the Device ID field, enter the MAC address. You only need to enter the letters and numbers of the MAC address.  Do not enter spaces or colons.
7. Click Submit. This will take you back to the Manage Devices screen.
8. Your device should be listed on the Manage Devices screen.  If you do not see it click Refresh.
9. Once you see your device, you will see it says "Pending" next to it.  Even if you have the device correctly registered, it will always say "Pending".  This is a bug in the software.  Do not worry, the Status can be ignored.
10. Once you see your device, you can sign out of this page by clicking on your username in the upper right and selecting sign out, or you can close the window.
11. Go to your device and in the wireless settings, select the Bobcat Devices wireless network.
12. Your device should automatically connect.  If it does not, check the MAC address and make sure it is the same as the one you have entered in the registration system.
13. If the device will not join the Bobcat Devices network after you have registered it and made sure the MAC address is correct, please submit a ticket here.

If you have a device that is not listed and you need assistance finding the MAC address or getting it registered, please contact the IT Help Desk.