CUA Residential Network Registration
Frequently Asked Questions

The Network Registration System is being enabled for wired network connections in residence halls during the week of Nov 5, starting with Conaty Hall.

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Why do we need a CUA Residential Network Registration system?

The threat from Internet worms, viruses, trojans, keystroke-loggers, etc., continues to worsen. Like many other research universities, 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.

How does the CUA Residential Network Registration (RNR) work?

When a computing device attempts to connect to the campus network, RNR temporarily connects it to an isolated portion of the network used for registration.  When you open your web browser, RNR will prompt you to provide your CUA network logon username and password, which associates the computer with you.

During the registration process, which usually takes less than a minute, all network traffic from the computer is redirected to the CUA Network Registration appliance; attempts to communicate to the Internet or CUA campus network are restricted.  Once registration is completed, full network access is restored to the computer.

Please note that only devices capable of running a web browser are able to register in this manner.

Am I required to register my computer?

Yes. Once a residence hall has been activated for network registration, each device must be registered in order to access the campus network.

What else will RNR do?

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.  This process is called "remediation."

How often do I need to register?

Just once or twice a semester. Periodic registration keeps the information up-to-date.

When the remediation feature is enabled (see previous question), your computer will be checked several times a semester to make sure that it continues to be protected against viruses and spyware.

I registered and am connected wirelessly.  Why do I see the registration page again when I connect to the wired port in my room?

Each network device (wired, wireless) in your computer has a different unique identifier, so when you connect to ResNet using a different network device, you must re-register.  That is, network registration is done once per computer network device.

Can I register multiple network-capable machines?

Yes. At this time, you may register up to five network devices. These include personal computers (PCs), notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and network-capable video game consoles.

My computer doesn't run Microsoft Windows; do I still need to register?

Yes, all devices that need to communicate on the campus network from the residence halls must be registered. Network registration works the same using Safari or Firefox on Apple Mac OS X as it does using Internet Explorer or Firefox on Microsoft Windows.

My video game console doesn't have a web browser; how can I register it?

If you use a network-enabled game console such as a Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox, you must submit a game console registration request prior to network use.

Please note that you do not need to register your video game console if you do not use it on the network.  I.e., if your game console is connected only to your television, registration is not required.

If I take my notebook computer or video game console to someone else's room and connect it, will I need to register again?

No, once you have registered your device, you will need to register again only at specified intervals during the semester.  Simply moving a machine to a different ResNet port does not cause you to have to register.

Instead of the network registration page, my browser is showing a blank page.  What should I do?

This problem usually can be resolved by clearing your browser's temporary file cache.

To do this within Microsoft Internet Explorer, choose Tools from the menu, and then select Internet Options.  On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet Files section, click "Delete Files".  Click OK to close the open dialog and option windows.  Then close and restart Internet Explorer.

To do this in Mozilla Firefox, choose Tools from the menu, and then select Options.  Select the Privacy section.  On the Cache tab, click "Clear Cache Now."  Click OK.  Then close and restart Firefox.

I registered my computer and rebooted as instructed; why does my browser tell me that the web site can't be found?

Windows XP allows you begin using it before Windows has completely finished starting. So the most likely case is that you ran your browser before your computer had completely finished its restart process.  Press the Refresh button in your browser's menu bar and your page should appear.

I've registered, rebooted and clicked the Refresh button in my browser, but I still can't browse to my home page. What should I do?

This problem usually can be resolved by clearing your browser's temporary file cache.

To do this within Microsoft Internet Explorer, choose Tools from the menu, and then select Internet Options.  On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet Files section, click "Delete Files".  Click OK to close the open dialog and option windows.  Then close and restart Internet Explorer.

To do this in Mozilla Firefox, choose Tools from the menu, and then select Options.  Select the Privacy section.  On the Cache tab, click "Clear Cache Now."  Click OK.  Then close and restart Firefox.

I don't find the registration page and my computer cannot access the Internet.  What's wrong?

Your computer settings may need to be changed to obtain a network address automatically.  Please read about configuring your computer for the ResNet network on the Data Services page.

Why do I need to reboot my computer after I register?

As part of the registration, the network wall port is briefly deactivated and then reactivated.  Some computers may detect this change and use the newly activated connection automatically without having to restart.  However, other computers may not detect the new connection until they are restarted.

The recommended procedure is to restart your computer after registration to ensure that the new connection is properly detected.

I'm using my friend's computer, and I am at the registration screen; should I use my credentials?

No!  Only the person who owns the machine should register it.  If your friend isn't present, don't use that computer--go to one of the public computer labs until your friend can register it.

I registered my computer and it was working fine; why did the registration screen suddenly appear again now that my roommate is back using her computer?

This can happen if you and your roommate(s) are sharing a single wall port using a network switch or hub. The registration screen will continue to appear for all users until all devices using that port are registered.  You may want to get together with your roommates at one time and register each computer so that they are all registered.

Does this mean that CUA can spy on my computer?

No! Your privacy is still protected under the provisions and guidelines of the Computer Ethics policy. In fact, the RNR system will actually enhance privacy, by reducing the number of trojans, keystroke loggers, etc., that may be on the network.

Will all residence halls be required to use RNR?

Yes, most residence halls are already using the CUA Residential Network Registration system.  Remaining halls will be added during the academic year.

I connect using the University's wireless network; do I need to register?

In most cases, yes. The wireless network in Conaty, Curley Court, Flather and Spellman is already using the CUA Network Registration system. Other halls will be added during the academic year.