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How to Connect to the Wired Network: Residence Halls

Step 1: Plug into the Data Jack

  1. To find out what type of Ethernet cable you need and where to get it, find the name of your residence hall in the About Ethernet Cables list below.
  2. Plug the cable into the back of your computer. Use the connector that fits the end of the cable.
  3. Find the data jacks in your room. The jacks are configured differently depending on where you live.
    • In Court, Kay, Bauer, Mews, Alice Cook, Hans Bethe, Carl Becker, Flora Rose, William Keeton, Schuyler, or the International Living Center (Low Rise 8), the jacks are configured in one of the following ways:

      Court-Kay_jack

    • Elsewhere on campus, your jacks probably have one of the following configurations:

      else_jack

    • Note: The second box may be some distance from the first.
  4. Plug the Ethernet cable into the first available data jack.

Locating the Live Jack

When you move into your room, a live jack will be present, but not all of the available jacks will be live. On some computers, there is at least one small light near the Ethernet connector. If this light is on when the cable is plugged in, you probably have a live jack.

In suites that include common areas, the live jacks are in the bedrooms. Jacks located in the common areas are not live by default.

Jacks can be activated for an additional fee. For more information, see Activate Student Wired Network Service.

Computer configurations vary, so if you do not have a light on your Ethernet card, consult your computer or Ethernet card documentation.

Step 2: Connect and Register

Windows and Mac OS X will normally configure TCP/IP automatically:

  1. Start your computer and open an Internet browser (such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Explorer).
  2. Go to the Cornell Network registration page. (This page may load automatically.)
  3. Complete the online registration.

Connection Problems: If you are unable to get to the registration page or cannot get past the registration page, wait five minutes and then restart your computer. Try registering or accessing the network again.

If you are still unable to get online or are experiencing other connection issues, call the CIT HelpDesk at (607) 255-8990 for help.

About Ethernet Cables

An Ethernet cable is supplied in your room. In many rooms, you must use the supplied cable. If you use your own cable, you may have trouble with your service because the wiring is incompatible with many Ethernet cables. In some residences, you have the option of using your own cable.

  • Alice Cook, Carl Becker, Court, Flora Rose House, Hans Bethe House, HILC (Low Rise #8), Kay, Mews, Schuyler, and William T. Keeton
    In these residence halls, you have the option to use your own Ethernet cable. You may find that the network performance is improved if you use your own cable. It is not required to use your own cable, a cable is provided in your room.

  • Alice Cook, Carl Becker, Hans Bethe House, Flora Rose House, and William Keeton House
    These residence halls are Gigabit‑capable. If you have a Gigabit-capable computer and Ethernet card, you can use your own Gigabit cable. (Wired network only. This does not apply to Wi-Fi.) A cable is provided in the room, but it won't provide Gigabit-level service.

  • Maplewood
    Maplewood residents have a media converter included as part of their room inventory in addition to the network jack. This media converter allows Maplewood’s fiberoptic network to be used with your regular card.