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Frequently Asked Questions about Ethernet in the Residence Halls

 

Do I need any special hardware?

It depends on your computer or laptop.  Many computer systems today have Ethernet jacks already built into the system.  If you have a system without built-in Ethernet, you will need to buy an Ethernet card and have it installed in your computer.

You will also need an Ethernet cable to connect the computer’s Ethernet socket to the wall socket in the dorm. On the wall socket, the Ethernet cable will connect to the blue jack (yellow for New Pride). Your phone cable will connect to the white jack.

Where can I buy an Ethernet card?

You should be able to purchase an Ethernet card from most electronics, office supply, or computer stores.  They can also be ordered from online stores or mail order catalogs.

Can I connect more than one computer to Ethernet?

To connect more than one computer to the Ethernet port in your room, you will need to purchase either a switch or a hub. These are available from many computer equipment retailers.

If you have a "router" or "gateway" you should have a port labeled "WAN" or "Internet". Connect a cable from this port to the wall jack, and connect your computers to the other ports, usually labeled "1", "2", "3", and "4". If your router has a port labeled "uplink", do not use it, or your connection may be disabled.

If you have a switch or a hub, you may have a port labeled "uplink" or a button labeled "uplink". If so, connect a cable from this port to the wall jack, and connect your computer to the other ports. If your hub or switch is labeled "Auto uplink" or "Auto crossover", then connect a cable from the wall to the port labeled "1" and your computers to the rest of the ports.

If you hook up your router or gateway incorrectly you may cause others in the residence halls to be unable to access the Internet.  If this happens, your Internet port may be disabled and will not be automatically restored when you call Technology Services.

Do I need any special software?

Your Ethernet card should come with all the appropriate software to make it run.  All other necessary networking software is available on your Windows CD.  Mac and Windows 2000/XP users should not normally have to install any additional software.

Where can I find instructions to set up my Windows machine to use Ethernet?

Instructions are available at Technology Services, located in the Business Administration building in room 156.  In some cases, your hall’s front desk may also hand out copies of the instructions.  Make sure you obtain the correct information sheet for your operating system.  Copies are available from the Technology Services web page at http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/ctis/help/

Do I need to know my IP address?

No, you will automatically be assigned an IP address when you restart your computer after completing the Ethernet Installation Guide instructions.

How much faster is Ethernet than my current 56k modem?

A 56k modem transfer data at almost 56kbps (56 kilobits per second = approx. 56,000 bits per second).  An Ethernet connection, however, can transfer data at up to 10Mbps (10 Megabits per second = approx. 10,000,000 bits per second), or even 100Mbps (100 Megabits per second = approx. 100,000,000 bits per second), depending on your Ethernet card.
 

Why isn’t my Ethernet connection working?

Most Ethernet problems are caused by third-party software interfering with your connection or an invalid IP address. 

Under Windows 95, 98, or ME, you can test your IP address with the following steps.

  1. Go to the Start Menu and select Run. 

  2. In the text box, enter winipcfg and hit return.  The current Ethernet adapter will be displayed in the box.  If you see “Dial-up Adapter” or “AOL Adapter” as the current network card, select your network card from the drop-down list.  Your IP address will be displayed in the box.  If your IP address begins with 192.168 and you are not using a personal router or firewall, please contact the Technology Services front desk at the number below.  If your IP address begins with 169.254 or 0.0, you do not have a valid IP address. 

  3. In the winipcfg program, click on Release, then Renew to get a new IP address. 

Under Windows 2000 or XP, you can test your IP address with the following steps.

  1. Go to the Start Menu and select Run. 

  2. In the text box, enter cmd and hit return to open a command prompt. 

  3. In the window that follows, type ipconfig /all. Your IP address will be displayed on this screen.  If your IP address begins with 192.168 and you are not using a personal router or firewall, please contact the Technology Services front desk at the number below.  If your IP address begins with 169.254 or 0.0, you do not have a valid IP address. 

  4. At the command prompt, type ipconfig /release and press enter, then type ipconfig /renew and hit enter.

Releasing and renewing your IP address solves many problems.

Can I use my Ethernet connection to run a server (ex.: web server, ftp server, quake server)?

Yes, you can run almost any type of server you want.  However, anybody that is not in your room will be unable to access the server.  Communication between rooms/halls has been disabled due to the security and malware (virus, spyware, Trojan, worm, or other malicious code) this communication presents. 

Is my computer protected from viruses and worms?

Technology Services makes an effort to protect your computer from outside threats, but you are responsible for the safety and security of your own computer.  You should install virus protection on your own computer.  If your computer is infected with a virus or worm and causes interference with other computers, your connection may be disabled.

Other Questions and Problems

Phone:            903-468-6000
E-mail:            Technology Services
Web:               http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/ctis/help/