Email & Network Access * Information for Students

Residence Halls

Residential Computer Consultants (Summer 2008)
Residential Consultants may change every semester. Please be sure to get the updated information!

Residential Computer Consultants answer questions and make in-room visits to help students regarding installation and use of  ResNet connections.

E-mail: resnet@tc.columbia.edu

• Dong Lee, x8934  (dyl2105@columbia.edu) - Whittier
• Sayyid Cato, 212-380-6153 (sac2126@columbia.edu) - NRH 
• Genzeb Jan, x3534 (gt2168@columbia.edu) -- Bancroft, Grant & Sarasota

 

Introduction                   

Every room in Bancroft Hall, Grant, New Residence Hall, Sarasota and Whittier has a high speed  Ethernet jack to provide Internet access.  All computers connected to ResNet are expected to have up-to-date virus protection software installed. Whittier Hall residents can obtain information about ResNet from (Dong Yub Lee, x8934, NRH from ( Sayyid Cato, x6145),  Bancroft, Grant & Sarasota Halls from (Genzeb Jan, x3581). You can also obtain information about ResNet from 242 HM (x3304), Dr. Nii Nartey, (x8418), lnn3@columbia.edu.

Wireless Status in the Residence Halls

Compromised Computers

Computers connected to the Internet are easily compromised by computer viruses, Trojan Horses and Worms. If this happens to your computer, your network access will be terminated (switched off). In this case, you should contact your Residential consultants or Dr. Nii Nartey for assistance. Avoid being compromised by practicing safe computing. Remember to update the Virus Definition at least once a week. For more information, go to http://www.tc.columbia.edu/cis/security

Windows Update: Run the Windows update regularly (at least once a week) to prevent hackers from compromising your system. The update info is at: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Mac System Update:  You should accept the periodic prompts to update the MacOS system software.

Getting Connected

STEP 1
For connections to the network using a wall data jack ("hard wire"), you need an Ethernet Cable (10BaseT, RJ45).  For either cable or wireless connections anywhere on campus, You must Register your computer at: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/cis/connect/ResNet.htm or send the completed form to Dr. Nii Nartey at 242 HM, lnn3@columbia.edu, x8418.

STEP 1a: For a hard wire connection: Plug the Ethernet Cable into the Ethernet Jack

To establish an Ethernet connection, you must have an Ethernet Adapter card. Most computers come with built-in Ethernet adapter cards to which you will plug the other end of the Ethernet cable. Be sure that you have a sufficiently long Ethernet Cable (it should not be a telephone cable).

Computer Network Accessories can be purchased from any computer store

STEP 2 : For  hard wire or wireless: Configure Your Computer.

If you are installing a new Ethernet card, the CUIT Internet Connection Guide at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/access, can be of help to you. Residential Consultants can also help you.

STEP 3 : Find the Ethernet Hardware Address.

An Ethernet hardware address is a unique 12-digit hexadecimal (0-9, A-F) number that identifies your Ethernet adapter. Manufacturers assign Ethernet addresses to identify each machine on the network. Here is a sample Ethernet address: 00001D1298AC. Some systems write this as: 00:00:1D:12:98:AC, 00-00-1D-12-98-AC, or 0000.1d12.98ac. A hardware address is always exactly 12 hexadecimal numbers. Any leading zeroes are significant and must be entered.

You can also obtain the hardware address by doing the following, but please note that your computer may have multiple hardware addresses, e.g. one for wireless and one for Ethernet -- please repeat the process for each hardware address:

For PC/Windows 2000/XP:

Click on the  Start button, choose Run, and then type cmd. This will bring you up to a DOS window. Type ipconfig /all. Your Ethernet Hardware Address should appear in the Physical Address field. You may also consult the CUIT Internet Connection Guide for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 documentation, or a Residential Consultant.

For Mac OS X Computer:

Use an Ethernet Cable to connect your Macintosh to a live Ethernet jack.

From the Apple pull-down menu, choose System Preferences -> Network select Built-In Ethernet from the Show: Choose Ethernet, the 12 digit Hardware Address will show in the field. Consult the CUIT online guide

STEP 4 : Register Your Computer:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does a ResNet connection cost?

There is no additional fee for a ResNet connection; it's included in the rent.

2. What is an IP Address?

IP (Internet Protocol) is the standard way of regulating data transmission between computers on the Internet. An IP ADDRESS is the numeric address of a computer in the format used on the Internet. For example, the IP address of CUNIX is 160.59.59.11. Each computer on the internet needs an IP address and your computer obtains one when you connect it to the wall jack.

3. I'm having trouble getting my ResNet connection to work. What should I do?

• Have you registered your ResNet connection?
• If you have already registered, the next step is to check your cable. You must use an Ethernet 10BaseT cable to connect to the network. 10BaseT cables look like phone cables but have slightly larger plugs at both ends. You should plug the cable directly into the Ethernet jack rather than a phone jack.
• If you moved to a new room or changed your Ethernet card, you must re-register your computer.
• When all else fails and you would like personal assistance with installing or using your ResNet connection, please contact your Residential Consultant.

4. Where in Teachers College can I connect with Wireless ?

Wireless network access is available throughout most of the Teachers College campus.  See more info

5. What is TCFamWiFi Network and how can I connect to it?

TCFamWiFi is a secured wireless network with WPA-PSK encryption that requires an 802.11g wireless card . This network is available to only residents of Bancroft hall. A confidential " Secure  Wireless (WPA) Network Connectivity Instructions" guide is available at the Telecomm office to provide you with instructions, per operating system, for connecting to the WPA wireless network.

6. Where can I get more information about the ResNet/ Network? Residential Computer Consultants answer questions and make in-room visits to help students regarding installation and use of ResNet connections.

You can also find information  at 242 HM, or visit or e-mail to Dr. Nii Nartey at 242 HM (lnn3@columbia.edu), X8418.

Academic Computing Services (ACS) also offers workshops on a variety of topics to help you learn more about using the Internet.

Users can check if the IP they are currently using is overquota by going here:
http://www.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/acis/networks/quota/netquota.pl

Computer Security, Network Policy and Copyright Information

 

1. Virus Protection   

• Using virus protection is essential in keeping your computer and data safe. If you already have a virus protection software which has expired and you prefer to download and use the free McAfee AntiVirus software from "MyTC Portal>Software & Tools", you will need to Un-install the existing software first.
• If you try to run two anti-virus programs on your computer, they can conflict with each other and not provide any protection at all.
• Remember to update the Virus Definition at least once a week. For more information, go to http://www.tc.columbia.edu/cis/security

2. Spyware, also known as Adware or Malware, gathers and steals information from your computer and sends it back through the Internet to an Ad Agency or its master (a hacker).

Spyware and Adware Removal Tools

• Ad-Aware SE Personal can be downloaded from http://www.lavasoftusa.com
• Spybot, Search and Destroy can be downloaded from http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

3. Windows Update

Run the Windows update regularly (at least once a week) to prevent hackers from compromising your system.Download from: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

4. What will happen if my computer is compromised ?

Internet access from your computer will be blocked and it will take a while for it to be restored. In some cases, you will have to send your computer away for it to be formatted and all software re-installed including an up-to-date virus protection software.

5. Computer and Network Use Policy

Columbia University maintains certain policies regarding the usage and security of its computer system, including the network. You must read them at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/policy

6. Copyright Information for Network Users at Columbia

All network users must comply with the Federal Copyright Law. Violations of the laws are also violations of University Policy: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/policy/copyright.html

 7. Columbia University bandwidth restrictions

 

Columbia University imposes certain bandwidth restrictions which they enforce.  The website of their rules and explanations are:  http://www.columbia.edu/cu/policy/bandwidth-frame.html