ResNet - Housing Connectivity

WHAT IS RESNET?

Short for Residential Network, ResNet allows you to connect your PC or Macintosh computer to the campus network and the Internet from your Residence Hall room or apartment. Basically, the campus serves as your Internet Service Provider giving you a high-speed 100 MB connection.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

• High-speed connection to the Internet (100x faster than a 56k modem; faster than cable or DSL)
• Does not tie up the phone line
• Access your campus email, the Student Information System, the Web, and Cofrin Library catalogs.

GETTING CONNECTED

Your computer will be connected to the Internet via a 100 base-T Ethernet data line and a data jack in your room. Note that this is different than connecting via a modem and a phone line. While it is not necessary for you to have a modem, your computer must have a 10/100 Ethernet connector. Most newer computers have this built-in as standard. If your computer does not, you will need to purchase a network interface card (NIC) with an RJ-45 Ethernet connector from the Help Desk or a local vendor.

In addition, you will need an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the wall data jack. These cables are available for sale through the campus Phoenix Bookstore.

HOUSING COMPUTER SERVICE CENTER

A Housing IT Service Center is located in the Residence Life Community Center. Technicians at the Service Center will assist students who bring their personal computers to campus with the following at no charge:

• Connecting to ResNet for high-speed 100 megabit/second Internet access.
• Ensuring that computers are virus free and have current virus protection software installed.
• Removing spyware and preventing future installations.
• Installing current Windows security updates.
• Diagnosing other problems and locating community resources for further assistance.
• Learning and implementing safe computing practices.

The Service Center will be staffed by CIT technicians and student assistants throughout the regular semester from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are expanded hours during fall semester move-in and for several weeks afterwards to help get everyone settled. Students can stop by or call the Service Center at 465-5163. If the Center is not open, callers will have the option of leaving a voice message or transferring to the IT Help Desk.

COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

The University has established minimum requirements for computer workstations to help ensure optimum performance on the network. The University network will not support computers that do not meet the following minimum requirements.

 

IBM Compatible
Processor	Pentium III or later
Computer Speed	400 Megahertz or faster
RAM	256 Megabytes or more
Hard Drive	10 Gigabyte or more
Operating System	Windows 2000, Windows XP
Network Card	Windows supported 10 or 10/100 Megabyte per second Ethernet

Macintosh
Processor	G3 or later
Computer Speed	333 Megahertz or faster
RAM	256 Megabytes or more
Hard Drive	10 Gigabyte or more
Operating System	Mac OS X (OS 10.3 or greater is recommended)

Except for McAfee anti-virus software, the campus does not provide any other software with your ResNet connection. You must purchase Microsoft Office or any other application that you need to do your work. The many special instructional applications available in campus computer labs cannot be accessed from your Housing connection. Software Discounts for Students

NETWORK INTERFACE CARD

In order to activate your ResNet connection, you must have your Network Interface card (NIC) installed and computer configured with the Internet protocol TCP/IP. The University does not perform the NIC installation. Most new computers come with a NIC pre-installed. Be sure to check your computer before purchasing a NIC.

While supplies last, the Housing Help Desk that is set up in the Community Center for the first few weeks of the fall semester will sell used NIC cards for $10.

PCI type NIC’s are strongly recommended because they are much faster, more reliable, and easier to configure than ISA type NIC’s