Administration

Connecting to the network

Students may bring computers to their on-campus home. Each residence hall room and College-owned apartment has a direct hookup to the Internet. In order for the computer to work with the campus network, it must be equipped with an Ethernet card. Students will also need to bring a network cable and a UL approved power strip with them.

Network Card: In order for the computer to connect to the campus network, it must be equipped with an Ethernet card (10 BASE-T or 10/100 BASE-T). New computers can be ordered to include this type of card. If your computer does not have an Ethernet card, students will need to purchase one and have it installed in their computer prior to coming to campus. If you have a laptop, you will need a PCMCIA card, unless the motherboard has a built-in Ethernet card.

Ethernet Network Cable: In addition to an Ethernet card (if applicable), you will need a CAT-5 Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors. CAT-5 cables can be purchased from local computer stores. The college does not provide these cables to students.

Power Strip: Students should also bring a UL approved power strip with a built-in circuit breaker to use with the computer equipment.

Steps to connect to the Network
The instructions below detail how to connect your computer to the network if you live in a dorm room or college apartment. The first thing you will need to do is follow the instructions under "Hardware Setup." The last step to the hardware setup is to test your connection to the internet. If it works, you're done. If it does not work, you will have to follow the instructions under "Software Configuration." If you have followed all these instructions and still cannot get connected, please call your local dorm tech or the help desk.

Hardware Setup
1. The computer must be equipped with an Ethernet card. New computers can be ordered to include this type of card. If your computer does not have an Ethernet card, students will need to purchase one and have it installed in their computer prior to coming to campus. If you have a laptop, you will need a PCMCIA card.

2. With your PC turned off you will need to take your Ethernet Cable and plug it into the Ethernet Card in the back of your PC. Note: phone cables will not work, you will need a Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables have RJ-45 connectors that use eight (8) wires and are slightly larger than a regular phone plug.

3. Take the other end of the Ethernet Cable and plug it into the wall jack , this should be a orange RJ-45 outlet on the wall.

4. Turn on your machine. Check the status light on the Ethernet card. The status light is a small light located on the back of your computer on the card itself. If the is off, check the cable connection between the computer and wall jack. If you are able to connect to the Internet you are finished. However, if you cannot connect to the Internet, you will have to complete a software configuration.

Software Configuration
Some newer operating systems will auto-detect your Ethernet card and automatically connect to the Internet. Before making any changes to the software configuration, make sure you have followed all the steps in the "Hardware Setup" section of this page.

Under the Related Articles section on this page, there are links for each operating system. Click on the link that corresponds to your computer's operating system to view instructions for the software configuration for your computer.

Getting Help
If you have followed these instructions and still cannot get your computer to connect to the network, call the Help Desk @ x5777 or your Dorm ResNet member.

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