TCDconnect FAQ

How do I connect to the TCDwifi network?

Step 1

When in range of a wireless hotspot in Trinity you will see 'TCDwifi' listed as an available Wi-Fi network.

Connect your device to TCDwifi, and when prompted enter the short version of your Trinity username (e.g. jbloggs and not jbloggs@tcd.ie) and your network login password.

If convenient, you can configure your device in advance of coming to campus by following the connection process guide. Once you have configured your device to connect to TCDwifi it will automatically connect whenever it is in range.

Step 2

The next step after configuring your device to connecting to the Wi-Fi network, is to run a security scan to register your device and ensure that it is up to date. Launch a web browser and browse to https://tcdnac.tcd.ie and you will be automatically redirected to the TCDconnect registration pages, where you can download and run the scan. When the scan completes a results page will be displayed. If your device passes the scan then you will be connected within 90 seconds.

The process for registering for the student wired and Wi-Fi networks is identical and once you register your device on one it will automatically be registered on the other.

How do I connect to the wired network in residences?

Step 1

The TCDconnect wired network service for students is available in student residences only. Insert a network cable into the network point in your room and to the network port on your computer. You should see a flashing activity light on your computer's network port when connected. A network cable (also called an ethernet cable) can be purchased from the student's union shop. (There is an entirely separate process for postgrads connecting computers to the wired network in Trinity offices and labs.)

Step 2

The next step after connecting to the wired network is to run a security scan to register your device and ensure it is up to date. Launch a web browser and browse to https://tcdnac.tcd.ie and you will be automatically redirected to the TCDconnect registration pages, where you can download the scan and register your device. When the scan completes a results page will be displayed. If your device passes the scan then you will be connected within 90 seconds.

The process for registering for the student wired and Wi-Fi networks is identical and once you register your device on one it will automatically be registered on the other, so if you have completed the process on one network (wired or Wi-Fi) then you will be automatically registered and ready to connect to the other.

Who can connect to TCDconnect?

• Students can connect to the TCDconnect service using their valid Trinity username and password.

• New students should note that you are provided with your Trinity username and initial password in an in-tray message on your my.tcd.ie portal during online registration.

What are the TCDconnect hardware and software requirements?

Only certain devices are supported on the TCDconnect service, as outlined on the TCDconnect general requirements page.

Why are the security requirements necessary?

By requiring that all Windows and macOS laptops have the latest updates the chances of a virus or malware outbreak on the TCDconnect wired and Wi-Fi networks are greatly reduced. The TCDwifi network is hidden and encrypted so that only Trinity students can connect to it. These measures help keep your data and the network service secure.

Although open, unencrypted networks are easier to connect to they are not as secure and any information you submit online could be intercepted. You can read more about the benefits of the TCDconnect NAC system.

Those using smartphones and tablets are required by policy to set a passcode lock, password or PIN for the device.

My device is not running a supported operating system; can I still try to register it?

Only the devices listed on our requirements page can register for the TCDconnect service. IT Services is working to expand the range of supported devices.

However, devices not listed on the requirements page cannot connect currently and if your device has an unsupported operating system you will not be able to register the device.

How do I install Windows updates?

To begin the update process please follow the instructions on installing Windows updates.

When running updates it is important to leave your computer connected to a power supply and not to interrupt the update process. After installing the updates, reboot your machine and run the updates option again. Some updates are prerequisites of others so you may have to run the update process multiple times. You should continue to update your computer until there are no new important updates available.

As updates can take some time to download and install, it is recommended that you check and complete this process before you get to campus and attempt to connect to the network.

If you are viewing this page at home and have run the TCDconnect remote registration you will be provided with instructions on how to update your operating system if necessary.

I have setup my computer to connect to TCDwifi but I don't see the TCDconnect Terms and Conditions page when I open my web browser

Some websites do not automatically redirect to the TCDconnect terms and conditions page. If you have entered the settings for TCDwifi and do not see the TCDconnect terms and conditions page when you open your browser then browse directly to https://tcdnac.tcd.ie.

It could also be worth trying another web browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

What does the security scan check for on my device?

When you connect to TCDwifi you will need to download and run a 'Dissolvable Agent' which will scan your device to ensure that it meets the TCDconnect requirements. These requirements vary by device:

• iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome OS and Kindle: there are currently no minimum requirements for these operating systems; once you submit your details your Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Chromebook or Linux device will be automatically registered
• macOS: the scan checks if your laptop is running a supported version of macOS, with the latest operating system updates which are available from the App Store.
• Windows: the scan checks that your version of Windows is up to date. For example, if your computer has Windows 10 the scan will check that it is has the latest monthly security updates installed.

If your device's operating system is not listed on the requirements page or your computer is running a preview/beta version of Windows, or an unlicensed version of Windows, then it cannot be registered for the service.

How can I ensure I pass the remote registration scan?

All Devices: Ensure you have a supported operating system running on your device.

If you have a Windows PC

• Ensure you have your windows updates installed

My computer failed the security scan. How can I resolve this when I don't have full access to the internet on campus?

When the scan has been completed a results page will be displayed. If the scan is failed then you will be shown a list of failed items that require action - double-click on any of the items on this list, click the link that is displayed under that item and follow the instructions provided in order to update your computer before running the scan again.

The registration system allows you to connect to certain websites such as microsoft.com and apple.com so that your computer can download any required security updates.

Do not choose 'Rescan' until you have followed the steps to correct each failed item.

Why do I get an error message when I try to run the security scan?

The first thing to try is to download the scan file once more: Once connected to TCDwifi, open your web browser and browse to https://tcdnac.tcd.ie and run through the device registration steps again, before then re-downloading the scan file.

The security scan will expire after a certain period of time. After it expires if you try to run it you will get the message "Unable to read policy. Please check your personal firewall settings and try again." In this case you must carry out the steps above to re-download the scan file before running it once more.

The scan timed out or did not complete, what do I do now?

If this happens please restart the registration process and re-download the security scan: Once connected to TCDwifi, open your web browser and browse to https://tcdnac.tcd.ie and run through the device registration steps again, before then re-downloading the scan file.

Sometimes your antivirus may interrupt the scan process, if your scan times out, please try turning off your antivirus before you re run the scan. Making sure to turn it back on again once complete.

I need to install Windows Updates to pass the security scan, but I've run out of Hard Drive space, what can I do?

Some laptops ship with relatively small hard drive capacity, such as 16GB or 32GB, meaning that problems can be encountered when you need to install large Windows Updates, especially the major Windows version updates which are released once per year.

To establish if you might have an issue with a lack of available hard drive space, open 'This PC' (or 'Computer') and note the available space under 'Local Disk (C:)'. If the available hard drive space listed is under 5GB then you are quite likely to encounter problems installing Windows Updates at some stage.

There are several steps you can take to free up hard drive space but the most important thing is to first back up all your data before making any configuration changes to your PC.

If you need technical assistance freeing up hard drive space on your PC then our advice is to call to the Refresh (IT Repairs) service in House 6. Our Network Access Advisors are not in a position to provide this kind of technical support which could put your data and the operational stability of your computer at risk.

Why does my laptop keep joining the wrong Wi-Fi network?

Windows and macOS keep a list of preferred Wi-Fi networks. They attempt to join these networks in the order they appear on the list. If 'TCDguest' is listed above 'TCDwifi' then the laptop will attempt to join these first and will not connect to TCDwifi.

In Windows you can click on the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right and then click on any Wi-Fi network you do not wish to connect to and untick 'Connect Automatically'

In macOS it can be changed via the Advanced settings of Airport/Wi-Fi (via System Preferences).

Your laptop may also try to connect to another network if TCDwifi is not correctly configured.

I cannot connect to TCDwifi on my Linux laptop - why does TCDwifi keep prompting for my username and password?

Some versions of Linux have an issue connecting to some WPA2/PEAP/MSCHAPv2 networks like TCDwifi. To resolve this issue please remove the line 'system-ca-cert=true' from the configuration file in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/

Please see the following link for further details: http://askubuntu.com/questions/279762/cant-connect-to-wpa2-enterprise-peap.

Please note we cannot provide assistance with changing these settings on Linux laptops if you encounter any issues with these instructions.

My Windows device will not connect, why?

In a small number of cases where this happens, it has been resolved by upgrading the wireless card device driver. If you wish to do this, please visit the website of your wireless card manufacturer for instructions.

I completed the connection steps but can't access any web pages on my iPhone

If you are using iOS then open the Settings app, choose General, then Wi-Fi, then TCDwifi. Under DHCP settings, if you have an IP address that starts with 169 or if you have no IP address specified then scroll down the screen and select the Renew Lease button which should return a valid IP address and should restore your network connection.

What should I do if my device is lost or stolen?

If your device is lost or stolen and you had previously configured it for connection to the TCDwifi network and do not have a passcode set for your device, IT Services would advise you to change your Trinity network login password to avoid the potential for a third party to gain unauthorised access to the TCD student Wi-Fi network via your device.

How can I uninstall the mobile device profile and disconnect from this service?

Follow the removal steps for your device:

• iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
• Android

How do I print from the TCDconnect service?

All students can use the TCD Print Anywhere service, whether connected to the TCDconnect service or not, to print to the Datapac printers in the College Library and computer rooms from their laptop or mobile device.

What are the required browser proxy settings for PCs and Macs?

Your web browser proxy settings should be configured to automatically detect the settings required for connection to the College network.

For a list of recommended web browser proxy settings, please see our Proxy settings webpage.

I'm having trouble accessing some online services - which services should I be able to access using TCDconnect?

Please see the list of internet services available to those connected to the TCDconnect service

I am connected to TCDwifi, but I cannot reach any other web pages.

When in Trinity only the Trinity DNS settings will allow internet access. Custom settings, such as the Google DNS (8.8.8.8), will not work. It is necessary in these cases to clear the custom DNS setting from your device.

I was connected to TCDwifi, but I can't connect since I installed Windows Updates.

For students whose device is registered and have previously connected to TCDwifi, sometimes newly installed Windows Updates can interfere with your connection until you reboot your device (sometimes more than once) to ensure all settings are refreshed and you should then be able to reconnect.

I was connected to TCDwifi earlier in the year, but I can't connect now.

If you do not use the TCDconnect service for 75 days you will need to re-register for the service and you will be able to connect again. If you are using a Windows PC, then make sure to install any updates to Windows before trying to reconnect.