Data Services
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Your campus residence is equipped with high speed internet access. Most rooms have one data wall jack per room occupant.
Some residence halls are also equipped with wireless networking.
Please note that Curley Court provides wireless networking only, so students residing in Curley Court should be sure that their computer is equipped with wireless networking. |
Getting Started
Part of the advantage of the Resident Life experience is the high-speed connection to the Internet. There are a few connection requirements before you start enjoying this service.
- Hardware: you need a network port on your computer, and a network cable
- Software: you need to make some simple settings to your computer in order to use the ResNet network; no extra software is required to connect
Connecting the Computer to the Wall Port
Most computers have an RJ-45 Ethernet network port built into the computer. The network port is located on the back of desktop machines and on the back or on the side of notebook computers. On notebook computers, it is usually next to the modem port; the network port is the slightly larger of the two.
If you do not have a network port built into your computer, you will need to purchase and install a network card (NIC) and the software that comes with it. Network cards can be purchased at any computer store. Many computer stores will also install the card for an additional fee. Network cards for notebook computers are PC Cards that simply slide into the port in the side of the laptop.
You will also need an Ethernet patch cable. This cable can be purchased in the university bookstore or at any computer store. Look for patch cables of type CAT5e or CAT6; either will work fine in your residence hall room.
Follow these steps to connect your computer to the network wall port.
- Turn off the computer.
- Locate the network wall port in your room. This diagram may help.
- Insert one end of the network cable into the Ethernet port on your computer.
It does not matter which end you use; they are both the same.
- Insert the other end of the network cable into the network wall port.
- Turn on the computer and log on.
Configuring the Computer for wired access to the ResNet Network
Follow these steps to configure your computer's Windows XP settings for use on the ResNet network. Similar steps should be taken on Windows Vista and Mac OS X.
- Click the Start button.
- Select Control Panel from the start menu. (See screen shot below.)
- Select Network and Internet Connections. Then select Network Connections.
(Or, if you are using Classic View rather than Category View in the Control Panel, just select Network Connections.)
- In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection icon and select Properties from the right-click menu.
(Or, highlight the Local Area Connection icon and select File and then Properties from the menu bar.)
- In the resulting Local Area Connection Properties window, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. (See screen shot.)
- In the Internet Protocols (TCP/IP) Properties window, make sure that the following two options are selected:
- Obtain an IP address automatically
- Obtain DNS server address automatically
(See screen shot.)
- Click OK to accept the changes and close the window. Do this for each of the windows opened during these steps.
screen shots
Connecting the Computer Wirelessly
Most newer notebook computers have built-in 802.11g or 802.11n wireless networking. If your notebook or desktop computer does not support these wireless networking standards, you can use a USB wireless network adaptor such as the Netgear WG111, Linksys WUSB54GC or Belkin F5D7050.
The Belkin F5D7050 or F5D8053 USB adaptors are recommended for desktop systems that may need wireless access and notebook computers that are having reception problems because they include a USB cable that allows the adaptor to be placed higher in the room for better reception.
Network adaptors can be purchased at any computer store and most electronics stores. Or, once on campus, adaptors can be ordered through the campus bookstore.
Some wireless computers or adaptors come with their own software for detecting and connecting to wireless networks. Others use the Microsoft Windows network connection wizard. Please check the documentation provided with your system to determine how to get connected wirelessly.
Your wireless connection should be configured to obtain an IP address and DNS server addresses automatically.
The name (SSID) of the CUA wireless network in ResNet is "CUA-ResNet". There are no other university-provided wireless networks in ResNet, so be sure you connect to this SSID only from within your residence hall.
CUA Residential Network Registration
Internet viruses and spyware are a continuing threat. CUA has taken a two-pronged approach to keeping the network secure. First, we have made available free antivirus software, to help prevent problems from happening in the first place. The second step is network registration, so we may find, isolate, and quickly fix problems when they do occur.
Residence halls are protected by the CUA Residential Network Registration (RNR) system.
In the coming months, CUA RNR will be enhanced to allow it to make sure that your computer is fully protected with operating system updates and up-to-date antivirus software before it connects you to the campus network. This will help ensure that your computer is much less vulnerable to viruses and spyware.
Additional Information
Where can I learn more about how to protect my computer from viruses and spyware?
To better protect your computer, please make sure you are following the steps listed in "Safe Computing Practices".
The three most important steps are:
- Use up-to-date antivirus software on your computer. CUA provides free antivirus software to resident students. Make sure your virus definitions are up-to-date.
- Use a software firewall on your computer. Windows Vista. Windows XP and Mac OS X have a built-in software firewall; make sure that it is turned on.
- Configure your computer to download and install critical updates automatically.
Can I attach my network enabled video game console to the network?
Yes, network enabled video game consoles such as the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox may be attached to the campus network. However, please be sure to read the Network Registration FAQ for information about registering game consoles.
Do I have to set my computer to obtain an IP address automatically?
Yes. The IP addresses available to ResNet are shared among all ResNet residents. In order for the addresses to be shared fairly, everyone must use these same settings. If you do not use this setting, your connection may be disabled until you fix your settings.
Why doesn't my e-mail program send e-mail?
Internet port 25 that is used for outbound e-mail is closed in ResNet. Please use webmail to access your CUA e-mail account or accounts you may have from other providers.
Can I Use My Own Network Equipment in My Room?
No. Only university-owned network equipment may be attached to the campus network, including ResNet, since such equipment can interfere with the normal operation of the network. This means that you may not attach your own routers, switches, hardware firewalls, wireless access points or other network equipment.
Is there other equipment or software that I can't use on the CUA network?
Yes, the use of Sling Media's Slingbox is not permitted on the CUA network due to its bandwidth requirements.
Can I run my own server in my room?
No. Your computer or other network device must not offer any network services designed to be accessed by others on the network. This includes Internet services such as dns (e.g., named), dhcp, bootp, wins, smtp, pop, imap, http/https (web), nntp, ftp, smb, nfs, telnet.
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