Connecting to the Network Using an Ethernet Connection
Step 1. Assemble What You Need | Step 2. Register Your Physical Address | Step 3. Connect to the Ethernet
Both The University of Arizona and Residence Life have Acceptable Use Policies pertaining to the use of computers/computerized equipment connected to the university’s network. Connecting to the university’s network is implicit consent that you have read both Acceptable Use Policies and agree to abide by them.
“Acceptable Use of Computers and Networks at The University of Arizona” and the “Residence Life Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)” are subject to change. The most current versions of each are available online at:
- Acceptable Use of Computers and Networks at The University of Arizona
- Residence Life Network Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
We recommend that you check the online versions of each policy regularly for policy changes.
Step 1. Assemble What You Need
UA NetID and Password
If you do not yet have a University of Arizona NetID and password, please establish one. Go to the UA Net ID Account web site. Click on the “Create UA NetID” link and follow the prompts.
Until you have a UA NetID, you will not be able to register your computer to get on the network.
Ethernet Cable
You must have a Category 5 or 5E Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors on each end to connect to the Ethernet in the residence halls. RJ-45 connectors look very similar to the modular plugs on the ends of the wire you use to connect your phone to the telephone jack, except they are larger. A telephone wire will not work.
| Note: | If you need to connect multiple devices to the network, you can buy a simple switch that plugs into the data jack; then plug all the devices into the switch. When you purchase the switch, make sure it has the appropriate number of connections. You can buy these switches at CATS. Do not buy a router. Please note that each additional device needs to have its own physical address. |
The physical design of the network in the residence halls allows for an Ethernet cable of up to three meters (about 15 feet) between the data jack on the wall and the Ethernet adapter in your computer. Longer cables may work in most rooms, but are not guaranteed to do so. Please keep Ethernet cables as short as possible.
Be extremely careful not to damage your Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables are highly susceptible to failure under these conditions:
- Being placed under heavy objects.
- Being “kinked” tightly in corners.
- Being run around or near other electrical wires or devices that may be the source of electromagnetic interference.
Your Physical (Ethernet) Address
Your physical address (also called the hardware address or the MAC [“Media Access Control”] address or, for Macintosh computers, the Ethernet adapter address) is the unique descriptive number associated with the Ethernet adapter card inside your computer or other network-capable device. It consists of 12 characters (the numerals 0 [zero] through 9 and the letters A through F) grouped in nodes of two separated by either a hyphen or a colon. This sequence of characters is what the network uses to recognize your computer.
| Example: | A typical physical address might look like 00-2C-3A-DD-B7-9F or 00:2C:3A:DD:B7:9F |
| Note: | This address should not begin with 44:45, nor should it be all zeros. If your address begins with 44:45, then you are using the wrong adapter. Double-check the first line of the “IP Configuration” window. Make sure you are not using “PPP Adapter or “AOL Adapter.” If your address is 00:00:00:00:00:00, then something is wrong with either your network adapter installation or your network adapter. In either case, check your hardware driver installation and/or your hardware installation. Residence Life does not support hardware installation and/or hardware driver installation. Please refer to Getting Help. |
Finding Your Physical Address
The instructions are broken out by operating system. Each operating system has its own worksheet, which you can print out. We suggest that, once you find your computer’s physical address, you write it in the space provided on the worksheet that corresponds to your operating system. Keep the worksheet in a safe place so that you’ll be able to refer to it when needed.
Step 2. Register Your Physical Address
All computers, regardless of operating system type, must be registered with the University in order to obtain access to the network. Users are required to provide their computer’s physical address (“Ethernet ID” or “Ethernet address” on Macintosh computers) when registering.
Registering your physical address is critical to ensuring a connection to the network. The network only allows access to computers with a registered physical address.
The information for your computer must be entered exactly. Physical addresses consist of numerals from 0 [zero] to 9 and letters A through F.
| Note: | Do not use a capital letter O to substitute for 0 [zero]! Physical addresses use only zeros, and must be rendered using the numeral 0 [zero] on the keypad. |
Never attempt to register a hardware address that begins with “44:45”; this is a PPP or AOL adapter, not a physical address for an Ethernet adapter. Such addresses will not work on the network.
How to Register Your Physical Address/Ethernet ID
- Open a browser window.
- Go to the University's DHCP page.
- Click on the “Click here to manage registrations” link.
- Click on the “Please log in first” link.
- Log in with your UA NetID and password.
- In the “Action” row, select the Add field.
- Fill in your hardware address in the space labeled “MAC Address.”
Entering the MAC (Physical) Address on the MAC Registration Page Note: "MAC address" is just another term for "physical address/Ethernet ID." - Fill in the Name field and the E-mail Address field.
- Click the Send It button.
Note: Once you click the Send It button, it will take the UITS mainframe computer approximately 90 minutes to process your registration. If you attempt to connect to the UA network before your registration has been processed, the network will not recognize your physical address and you will not be allowed on. Therefore, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time between submitting your physical address for registration and your first attempt to connect to the network using the Ethernet.
Step 3. Connect to the Ethernet
| Note: | If your computer has wireless capability, you must disable it before you can make an internet connection. If you fail to disable wireless capability, your computer will always try to make the wireless connection and ignore the Ethernet hookup! |
For all Residence Halls Except Sky View Apartments
- If applicable, disable your computer’s wireless capability.
- Turn off your computer and all peripheral devices.
- Connect the RJ-45 cable connectors to the port on the Ethernet adapter card installed in your computer.
- Connect the RJ-45 cable to one of the lower outlets.
Note: If you look at the voice/data outlet closely, you will see the word DATA imprinted between two ports. These are the Ethernet ports and both are active.
The illustration below shows a voice/data outlet in a double room. If you are in a single, your voice/data outlet will be similar. If you are in a triple (in Arizona-Sonora Hall), there will be a second faceplate with the same voice/data outlet configuration. If you are in Apache-Santa Cruz (which has been recently remodeled and re-wired), there are voice/data outlets on facing walls; however, only one of the telephone jacks will work, and only one Ethernet port works in each voice/data outlet. The Ethernet ports are the tinted ones.
 |
| A Typical Voice/Data Jack |
The Sky View Apartments
If you wish to use the Ethernet, there is a data jack in each apartment for you to connect to. It is usually in the main room near the kitchen. If you need more ports, we suggest that you purchase a network switch (not a router). Connect your switch to the data jack, and then connect your devices to the ports in the switch mechanism.
