TCDconnect - How to get connected

Benefits of using Network Access Control (NAC)

Faster Registration and Access to the Network

Prior to the NAC system each request to connect to the Trinity network was processed manually and meant a turnaround time of several working days following the submission of an online form. Registration using NAC now allows automated access to the network that same day for those computers that meet the basic security requirements.

Providing a More Secure College Network

Viruses, spyware, bots and other malware can cause serious problems for any private network and the computers connected to it. By using NAC we are ensuring that computers on the Trinity network have the most basic security software updates to prevent infection from malware and in doing so, help to provide a much more secure network for all. This also helps individual users when they make use of less secure networks, at home or in hotels for example, as their computers have been brought up to a higher level of security.

What if we had no NAC?

On large data networks that do not have any security requirements it is often the case that the network is congested and so slow as to be unusable, due to the abundance of computers infected with viruses and malware. On smaller private networks, at home or in hotels for example, this often does not become a major issue.

If using a computer on a less secure network then your data, both local and online, is at much greater risk of being compromised. Subsequently any support clinics for such networks can become overwhelmed with the requirement to help students clean and restore their computers to working order, and if possible recover data, following infection.

In the absence of an automated connection process the only way to ensure those connecting meet certain security requirements would be to return to a manual process of dealing with connection requests. This would be infeasible given the large numbers connecting to the student network on a daily basis.

Option 1 - Configuring and registering your device from Trinity Locations with Wi-Fi coverage

Step 1: Configure and register your device

Select your device or operating system from the list below for step-by-step instructions for configuration and registration.:

• iOS and iPadOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
• Android
• Windows
• Apple macOS
• Linux, ChromeOS, Kindle

Important to know: If you do not use the TCDconnect service for 75 days you will need to re-register by repeating the steps above.

Option 2 - Registering your device from Non-Trinity Locations

If you are at home or any non-Trinity location and if you are using a Windows or macOS computer then you can use our TCDconnect remote registration service in order to register your device for the TCDconnect Wi-Fi service.

This remote registration service lets you register your device before you get to campus and lets you know if you meet the requirements for connection, saving you time when you do arrive on campus. Should you have any problems with the remote registration service you can try the steps in Option 1 above, when you get to a campus location, or see our information on getting help below.

Important to know: If you do not use the TCDconnect service for 75 days you will need to re-register by repeating the steps above.

Option 1 - Registering your device from Trinity Residences

Connection to the wired network in Trinity residences requires the use of a network cable (ethernet cable) and your computer must have an ethernet adapter.

Insert one end of the network cable into the ethernet port on your computer, and the other into the data network point on the wall in your residence. A network cable may be purchased from the students union shop on campus and in Dartry.

1. Launch a web browser, browse to https://tcdnac.tcd.ie and you'll be brought to the TCDconnect service terms and conditions page.
2. Follow the web page instructions until you come to the main Registration web page.
3. In the box towards the end of the page enter the short version of your Trinity username (e.g. jbloggs and not jbloggs@tcd.ie) and your network login password.
4. You may be required to download a security scan file and run it to check that your device meets our security requirements. If your device fails the scan then click the listed item(s) on the results page and follow the displayed link(s) to see instructions on how to update your computer, before downloading and running the scan once more.
5. After completing registration, when you next launch your web browser you will be able to browse the web and make use of other available internet and network services.

Important to know: If you do not use the TCDconnect service for 75 days you will need to re-register by repeating the steps above.

Option 2 - Registering your device from Non-Trinity Locations

If you are at home or any non-Trinity location and if you are using a Windows or macOS computer then you can use our TCDconnect remote registration service in order to register your device for the TCDconnect service.

This remote registration service lets you register your device before you get to campus and lets you know if you meet the requirements for connection, and if you need to install any updates, saving you time when you do arrive on campus. Should you have any problems with the remote registration service you can try the steps below when you get to a campus location, or see our information on getting help below.

Important to know: If you do not use the TCDconnect service for 75 days you will need to re-register by repeating the steps above.