Network Connectivity
What Will I Need to Complete My Own Installation?

A 10BaseT RJ45 Ethernet card, an RJ45 cable, and directions for setting up your operating system for DHCP.

Connecting Your Computer to the Residence Hall Network

Each person in a room will be provided with a port for accessing the George Mason University network and the Internet. (If you are assigned to a room with more students than ports, Housing will provide you with a hub. See your RA or Res Tech for the latest information.)

All residence hall rooms have been prewired for an Ethernet network connection. Your IP number, subnet mask, and gateway are automatically assigned using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This protocol is built into the operating systems that Mason supports (i.e., Windows 98, Windows XP, and Mac OS X).

Options for Connecting

1. You can complete your own installation using directions in this guide.
   
   
2. You can request that your Res Tech assist you with connecting your computer to the network. See http://itusupport.gmu.edu/restech and click on Contact Us on left side of screen.
   
   
3. You can purchase service from Patriot Computers for installation, setup, and testing by a qualified technician. Contact Patriot Computers, <http://compstore.gmu.edu>, 703-993-4100, Johnson Center, Room 115, to purchase installation services.

A Reminder about Downloading and Uploading Music

Is it really stealing? If it’s done without the permission of the copyright holder, it’s legally no different than walking into a music store, stuffing a CD into your pocket, and walking out without paying for it. Please read more at the Music United organization site <http://www.musicunited.org>.

Configuring Windows XP and Windows 2000 for DHCP

The directions below will assist you in configuring your computer, whether you have lived on-campus previously (and used a static IP address) or you are setting up a connection for the first time.

1. Click on the Start button on the task bar.

2. Click on Control Panel.

3. Click on Network and Internet Connections.

4. Click on Network Connections.

5. Right click on Local Area Connection and click on Properties.

6. Double click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), usually near the bottom.

7. Click on Obtain IP Address Automatically and click on Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically.

8. Click OK in the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) properties window.

9. Click OK or Close in the Local Area Connection Properties window.

10. Close all the windows you have opened thus far.

11. Open Internet Explorer.

Success?

The first time you connect to the network in the residence halls, you will automatically be taken to a web page that will ensure your computer is safe to be on Mason’s network. A login page will be displayed, and you will use your e-mail login and password to authenticate. You will then be taken through the MUST (II) system to ensure that your system has the proper security to use Mason’s network. This automated process will make sure that you have Mason’s antivirus software Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition), installed and configured correctly, and will make sure that your system has Windows Update set to automatically detect, download, and install critical security updates. Once the process is complete, you will have full access to the Internet.

No Success? Follow these Troubleshooting Steps in order:
Check Your Cable

1. Are you using the proper data cable? It should be an RJ45 network cable, which looks similar to an RJ11 phone cable. (RJ45 network cables are round and have a bigger plug at the end. RJ11 phone cables are flat and have a small plug at the end.) If you are using the wrong type of cable, you can purchase a new one at Patriot Computers.
   
   
2. Unplug your cable from your computer and plug it back in. Unplug your cable from the wall jack and plug it back in. When you plug in your cable correctly, you should hear a click sound.

Check Your Network Card

1. Locate your task bar and click the Start button, click on Run. A new window will appear. Type cmd and click OK. At the command line, type ping 127.0.0.1 and press <Enter>. You should see four lines return starting “Reply from 127.0.0.1.” If you are seeing anything else, there is a problem with your card. You may need to reinstall it and the software drivers that came with the card. The Support Center cannot fix this for you, but you could take the computer to Patriot Computers for assistance. (Patriot Computers charges a fee for this service.)
   
   
2. If your computer recognizes your Ethernet card (as in step 1 above), type ping 129.174.1.13 and press <Enter>. If you get four Reply lines (as in step 1 above), then you are connected to the Internet. If you get anything else, then the network cable may be bad or the jack in your room may be having trouble.
   
   
3. Try renewing your IP address by doing the following. Click the Start button, then click on Run. A new window will appear. Type cmd and click OK. Type ipconfig /release and press <Enter>. Type ipconfig /renew at the command line and press <Enter>. If the renewed IP address is 42.x.x.x, your system is connected to the network. If it appears as 169.x.x.x, there is a problem; follow the instructions for “Check Your Wall Jack.”

Configure Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer. Click on the Tools menu; choose Internet Options, click on the Connection tab, then click on the LAN Settings button at the bottom of the window. Make sure everything is unchecked and click OK.
   
   
2. Open Internet Explorer. Click on the Tools menu; choose Internet Options; click on the Connection tab. Then click the Setup button at the top of the window. Click Next, choose Connect to the Internet and click Next; choose the second option (Set Up My Connection Manually) and click Next; choose the third option (Connect Using a Broadband Connection that Is Always On) and click Next; then click Finish.
   

Check Your Wall Jack

Try plugging your cable into your roommate’s port on the wall jack. If you are able to connect by using your roommate’s port but not your own port, call the ITU Support Center at 703-993-8870 so a technician can be dispatched to repair your jack.

Still Unsuccessful?

If you are still unable to determine the cause, please check with your Resident Technician (Res Tech). Your RA can tell you who your Res Tech is if you are unsure. Check the web page <http://itusupport.gmu.edu/restech> and click on Contact Us on left side of screen.

Configuring Windows 98 for DHCP

See <http://itusupport.gmu.edu>, click on Online Help, and search for Windows 98.

Configuring Mac OS X TCP/IP Control Panel Settings for DHCP

Open your System Preferences, either by clicking on the icon in the Dock, or by clicking on the Apple Menu and selecting System Preferences from the menu.

Click on Network in System Preferences and it will open the Network Pane.

Next to Show, click on the drop-down menu and select Built-in Ethernet. It may show Internal Modem or Network Port Configurations. If it does not show Built-in Ethernet, click on Network Port Configurations, and put a check next to Built-in Ethernet. Then it should show Built-in Ethernet in the Show drop-down menu.

For Configure, select Using DHCP from the drop-down menu. Make sure that all of the fields are empty, except for Search Domains, where you can type “gmu.edu”. Click the Apply Now button.

You are now set up to use DHCP addressing.

Configuring Mac OS9 and Below for DHCP

See <http://itusupport.gmu.edu>, click on Online Help, and search for Mac.

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Last Revised: August 18, 2008