Connect your Gaming Console or Smart TV

Overview

The PittNet gaming network is now available at the two new residence halls on the Oakland campus; Pennsylvania Apartments and Hampton Inn.  

Upgrade to PittNet Gaming Network: As of April 30, 2021, regional campus residence hall students can register up to three devices on the PittNet Gaming Network. 

REGIONAL CAMPUS STUDENTS: Bring a gaming console or smart TV to campus? The PittNet Gaming Network provides wired and wireless access needed for online gameplay in regional campus residence halls, along with network access for other devices that cannot store a username and password. Register up to three devices, then connect using the method that is most convenient for you: plug into the wired network in your residence hall room on the Johnstown campus, or choose the convenience of the PITT-GAMING wireless connection available on all regional campuses. Wired network connections are only available in residence halls on the Johnstown campus. Students on the Greensburg campus should be submitting registrations to MyResNet (also known as Apogee): https://services.pitt.edu/TDClient/33/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=222

Detail

Please note the following about the PittNet Gaming Network:

  • As a student living in a residence hall, you can register up to three devices.
  • A device can be registered for either the wired or wireless network.
  • Wired network connections are only available in residence halls on the Johnstown campus.
  • Some advanced features, like screen sharing, may not function properly.
  • Service areas may be limited on the Titusville campus.

Key Benefits

  • Choose up to three devices to register from many gaming system and smart TV options.
  • Enjoy fast, secure, easy-to-use gaming access from residence hall locations on regional campuses.
  • Connect to the gaming network at no additional cost.

Get Started in Four Steps

Step 1: Determine the Device to Connect

The University allows up to three devices at a time per resident student to connect to the PittNet Gaming Network.

 

Step 2: Obtain Your Device's MAC Address

What is a MAC Address?

To connect to the network you need the MAC address of the device you would like to use. If your device supports both wireless and wired connections, make sure that you get the MAC address corresponding to the connection method you will use.

The following section documents how to obtain the MAC address from commonly-used devices:

How Do I Determine My Device's MAC Address?

Step 3: Fill Out the Online Device Registration Form

Once you have your device's MAC Address, register it with Pitt Digital.

How do I Register My Device?

Step 4: Configure Your Device to Connect to the PittNet Gaming Network

A. Using an Ethernet Cable (available in residence halls on the Johnstown campus only)

Plug the cable into the ports for your device and your room's network port, then turn on your device to test connectivity.

B. Using Wireless (available in residence halls on all regional campuses)
How Do I Connect Using Wireless?

Apple TV

Power up or restart your Apple TV. When it does not sense an active wired network connection, it will prompt you to attach to available wireless networks. Select PITT-GAMING from this list. If the wireless MAC address for your Apple TV is properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

Nintendo 2DS/3DS

  1. From the home menu, tap the "System Settings" menu tile (the wrench icon).
  2. Select Internet Settings, then Connection Settings.
  3. Tap New ConnectionManual Setup, then Search for Access Point.
  4. The system performs a search of available network access points and displays a list of available networks.
  5. Select PITT-GAMING. If the wireless MAC address for your console has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

Nintendo Switch

  1. Select "System Settings" (the gear icon) from the home menu.
  2. Select Internet, then Internet Settings.
  3. The system will begin displaying available wireless networks.
  4. Select PITT-GAMING. Try pressing on your controller a couple of times to refresh the list of available networks if it does not initially appear.
  5. If the wireless MAC address for your Switch console has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

Nintendo Wii

  1. Power on the console. Press on the remote to reach the main menu.
  2. Select the Wii Settings tile.
  3. Select the right arrow icon on the first "Wii System Settings" window to reveal additional choices.
  4. Select Internet, then Connection Settings.
  5. Select one of the available Connection Settings choices.
  6. Select Wireless Connection from the menu of your selected "Connection" entry (1, 2 or 3).
  7. Select Search for an Access Point.
  8. The console will prompt you to "Choose the access point you want to connect to." Select OK.
  9. Select PITT-GAMING. If the wireless MAC address for your console has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

PlayStation 3

  1. Select Settings from the row of icons running across the top of the display.
  2. Select Network Settings, Internet Connections (make sure the setting is "Enabled"), then Internet Connection Settings.
  3. Press on your controller.
  4. Click Yes.
  5. Select the Easy setup option.
  6. The console scans for available wireless network and displays a list of available connection points.
  7. Select PITT-GAMING and press X. If the wireless MAC address for your PlayStation has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

PlayStation 4

  1. Power on your system without a disk in the drive. The menu should appear.
  2. Select SettingsNetwork, Set Up Internet Connection, Use Wi-Fi, then Easy.
  3. Select PITT-GAMING and press on your controller. If the wireless MAC address for your PlayStation has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

Xbox 360

  1. Press the guide button on your controller.
  2. Select SettingsSystem Settings, then Network Settings.
  3. Select PITT-GAMING. If the wireless MAC address for your Xbox is properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

Xbox One

Your Xbox should try to connect to a network as soon as it is powered on. Locate the PITT-GAMING entry from the list of available wireless networks and select it. If the wireless MAC address for your Xbox is properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

If your system does not follow this process and you find yourself at the main console, follow these instructions:

  1. Select My Games & Apps if you are signed into a profile.
  2. Select SettingsNetwork, then Set up wireless network.
  3. Select PITT-GAMING. If the wireless MAC address for your Xbox has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

Xbox Series X/S

To get to the Network screen on your console:

  1. Press the Xbox button  to open the guide.
  2. Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings.
  3. Select Set up wireless network
  4. Select PITT-GAMING. If the wireless MAC address for your Xbox has been properly registered with Pitt Digital, the connection should work and the unit communicates on the network.

More Ways to Get the Most from the PittNet Gaming Network

Internet Connection Sharing (an alternative connection method)

While the PittNet Gaming Network offers a fast connection option for gaming consoles and smart TVs, other options enable access for units that do not have the capacity to authenticate to the University network. These procedures share the standard internet connection using a PC or laptop (through the room's data port or WIRELESS-PITTNET). These options involve additional hardware and may also require some assistance.

Configuring Your Windows PC to Support Internet Connection Sharing
Configuring Your Macintosh PC to Support Internet Connection Sharing
Configuring your Gaming Console to Use a Shared Internet Connection

Troubleshooting Connection Sharing

If your computer is having difficulty connecting after sleeping, hibernating, or rebooting, undo the connection sharing on the main Ethernet adapter, then re-share the connection.

Get Help

The Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your technology-related questions. Questions can also be submitted online.

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