Smart Devices and the University Network

Learn which game consoles, streaming devices, and smart home devices work on the NCU network. Many devices are built for a home network and don't work the same way on a campus network shared by thousands of devices.

⚠ Register your device BEFORE you connect it
Laptops, phones, and tablets sign in to NCU-Secure with your NCU account. Game consoles, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and other devices can't use that secure sign-in, so they're registered instead and connect to NCU-Guest.
Register first at devices.northcentral.edu. Do not connect to NCU-Guest or sign up for a guest account before the device is registered. If you do, the network gives the device a guest profile instead of the one it needs, and it won't be able to connect. Only IT can fix this, and the device can't get online until we do.
Why some devices don't work
Devices that connect straight to the internet, like a game console or a Roku, generally work. Devices that need your phone on the same network to set them up, control them, or cast to them often don't, because the campus network keeps each device separate. We can't guarantee those devices will work.

Device compatibility

Generally work
Game consoles
  • PlayStation 3, 4, and 5
  • Xbox (all models)
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Nintendo Wii U and 3DS
Streaming devices
  • Roku
  • Apple TV
  • Amazon Fire TV
Other devices that connect directly to the internet to stream content.
May work
Devices that need your phone on the same network to set up, control, or cast to:
  • Amazon Echo devices
  • Google Home and Nest devices
  • Google Chromecast
  • Sonos and other Wi-Fi speakers
  • Smart plugs and smart lights
  • Casting to smart TVs, such as Vizio SmartCast and some Samsung TVs
Not supported
Nintendo Wii
The Wii can't connect to the wireless network. Use a Wii LAN adapter and the wired network jack in your room.
 
Wireless printers
Turn off the printer's own wireless network so it doesn't slow down connections for others nearby. Turning Off Wireless on Personal Printers
Prohibited network devices
These are not allowed on the NCU network:
  • Wireless routers, gateways, and access points
  • Wired routers or gateways
  • Network switches, splitters, and similar devices
  • Any device that modifies or interferes with the NCU network
Ready to connect?
Register your device and connect it to NCU-Guest: How To: Connect a Smart Device to NCU WiFi
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