Getting on the Network

What should I know before using the Simon's Rock network?

Prior to using the network at Simon's Rock, you should read the Acceptable Use Policy. Network use and behavior is subject to the rules outlined in the Acceptable Use Policy, as well as federal and state laws and any college policies. By using the network, you have agreed to the policies outlined in this document.

I don't have an ethernet card. How can I get one?

You can purchase an ethernet card through Computer & Media Services; a C.A. will help you install it. You will also need an ethernet cable (looks like a phone cord with larger plugs on the ends).

Is there an ethernet drop in my room?

Yes. All student housing is networked. All dorm room connections are 100 megabits per second and switched by port.

Can I just plug in and surf?

It's not quite that easy. First, you need to register your computer with Computer & Media Services. Registering requires agreeing to the Acceptable Use Policy and submitting your name and the hardware address of the ethernet card in your computer. A hardware, or MAC (Media Access Control), address is a unique twelve character hexadecimal (the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F) identifier. All ethernet cards have hardware addresses. (Your hardware address will begin with 0.) If you have a wireless card and would like to use the wireless network, you will have to register the hardware address of that card.

Additionally, machines connected to the Simon's Rock network should be applying OS security fixes (such as Windows Updates) daily. If you are using a Windows operating system, your computer must be patched with the appropriate security fixes and have antivirus software installed, configured, and run by a computer assistant. You should also make sure that your computer is not set to be a master browser and that you are not sharing your hard drive without a password. (For more information, see the Virus and File Sharing sections.) After your registration has been processed, you will be able to obtain a static IP address automatically using DHCP.

How do I find my hardware address?

In MacOS 8/9?

1. Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner and select Control Panels.
2. Choose TCP/IP.
3. Make sure that the Connect via: menu in the TCP/IP control panel is set to Ethernet built-in, Alternate Ethernet, or Airport if you are using Airport. It should not be set to PPP or Apple Talk (MacIP).
4. Go to the File menu and select Get Info. The number listed next to Hardware address: is your hardware address. If there is no number listed, you may need to plug your ethernet cable into your computer and the wall jack first.

In Mac OS X (Jaguar)?

1. Open System Preferences from the Dock or the Apple menu.
2. Select Network preferences.
3. Set the Show: pull-down menu to Built-in Ethernet (or AirPort for wireless).
4. Go to the TCP/IP tab.
5. The number listed next to Ethernet Address: at the bottom of the left hand column is your hardware address.

In Mac OS X (Panther)?

1. Open System Preferences from the Dock or the Apple menu.
2. Select Network preferences.
3. Set the Show: pull-down menu to Built-in Ethernet (or AirPort for wireless).
4. Go to the Ethernet (or AirPort) tab.
5. The number listed next to Ethernet ID (or AirPort ID is your hardware address.

In Windows 95/98/ME?

1. Go to the Start menu and select Run.
2. Type in winipcfg and press Enter.
3. Make sure you are looking at the information for your ethernet card. The pull-down menu should show the model of your ethernet card. It should not say anything about a dial up, PPP, or AOL, adapter. If it does, switch it to your ethernet card. (If your ethernet card is not an option, it may not be properly installed.) The number displayed next to Adapter Address is your hardware address. It should not begin with 44-45.

In Windows NT/2000/XP?

1. Go to a command window by typing cmd or command in the Run text box, available from the Start menu.
2. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
3. Make sure you are looking at the information for the ethernet adapter and not the dial up, AOL, or WAN adapter. The number listed next to Physical Address: is the hardware address. It should not begin with 44-45, nor should it be 00-03-8A-00-00-11. Note: In Windows XP you must have the ethernet cable plugged in before you attempt to get the hardware address.

In Linux, BSD, and other UNIX-ish operating systems?

In a terminal, type /sbin/ifconfig -a. Make sure that you are looking at the information for the ethernet device (such as eth0 in Linux) and not the loopback or some other device. The number listed next to HWaddr or ether is the hardware address.

I registered my computer. Now what?

First you need to set up your computer to use DHCP. You may also wish to set up network file sharing, printing, configure an email client, and set your browser to use the web proxy. You should also read and be familiar with the Acceptable Use Policy.

How do I set up my computer to use DHCP?

In MacOS 8/9?

1. Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner and select Control Panels.
2. Choose TCP/IP.
3. Make sure that the Connect via: menu in the TCP/IP control panel is set to Ethernet built-in, Alternate Ethernet, or Airport if you are using Airport.
4. Set the Configure: pull-down menu to Using DHCP Server.
5. Close the window, saving changes when prompted.

In Mac OS X?

1. Open System Preferences from the Dock or the Apple menu.
2. Select Network preferences.
3. Set the Show: pull-down menu to Built-in Ethernet (or Airport for wireless).
4. In the TCP/IP tab, set the Configure: pull-down menu to Using DHCP.
5. Close the window, saving changes when prompted.

In Windows 95/98/ME?

1. From the Start menu, select Settings and then Control Panels.
2. Double-click on the Network control panel to open it. (Or you can right-click on the Network Neighborhood icon and select Properties.)
3. In the Configuration tab you should see that several network components are installed, including your ethernet card, TCP/IP, or something that has TCP/IP and the ethernet card in the name. (If these are not installed you will need to do so using either drivers on the Windows CD or drivers that came with your ethernet card.)
4. Click on TCP/IP or TCP/IP -$>$ whatever your card is and then click the Properties button to open up a new window with several tabs.
5. Under the IP Address tab, make sure the Obtain an IP address automatically radio button is checked.
6. Under the WINS Configuration tab, make sure the Use DHCP for WINS Resolution radio button is checked.
7. Close the windows. You may be asked for a Windows CD and/or to restart your computer.

In Windows NT?

1. From the Start menu, select Settings and then Control Panels.
2. Select the Adapters tab.
3. You should see your ethernet card listed under Network Adapters. Click on it once to highlight it and then click the Properties button.
4. Click the Protocols tab, select TCP/IP Protocol, and click the Properties button. If TCP/IP Protocol is not there, you will need to add it by clicking on the Add... button.
5. Check the Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server radio button.
6. Click OK.
7. Select the DNS tab, and make sure that nothing is entered in the Search Order text boxes.
8. Select the WINS Address tab and check the Enable DNS for Windows Resolution box.
9. Save changes and close the windows.

In Windows 2000?

1. From the Start menu, select Settings and then Network and Dial-up Connections.
2. Double-click on the Make New Connection icon to start the Network Connection Wizard. Click on the Next$>$ button.
3. Click on the Dial-up to the Internet radio button and click the Next$>$ button to open the Internet Connection Wizard.
4. Click on the third radio button (I want to set up my Internet connection manually, or I want to connect through a local area network (LAN)) and click Next$>$.
5. Click on the second radio button (I connect through a local area network (LAN)) and click Next$>$.
6. Make sure Automatic discovery of proxy server (recommended) is checked and click Next$>$.
7. You may select Yes and Next$>$ to choose to set up your email account, or you may select No, Next$>$, and Finish to complete the setup.

In Windows XP Professional?

Note: the following is untested.

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, then Network Connections.
2. If Local Area Connection is not an option, select Create a new connection from Network Tasks.
3. Click Next to continue. Check the Set up a home or small office network radio button. Click Next and then Finish and then Cancel.
4. Select Local Area Connection.
5. Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then Properties.
6. Under the general tab, make sure Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are set.
7. Click OK twice to close the windows.

In XP Home?

Note: the following is untested. (AS20020813)

1. Go to the Start menu and then select Settings and then Network Connection.
2. Select Create a new connection.
3. When a window pops up to ask about dialing up, select Cancel and then Yes.
4. Select Next and then Set up a home or small office network, then Next, and then Finish.
5. Select Next twice, then Other, then Next, and the select the first choice which says something about a network hub.
6. Select Ethernet adapter, then Next five times.
7. Select Just finish, Next, and Finish.