Network Configuration

If you are having trouble connecting to the network, the first thing you should do is be sure that your networking configuration is correctly setup to work on the Providence College network.

The network is handled by DHCP. The following are instructions on how to check to be sure that your computer is setup correctly.

1. Go to the Control Panel (this can be accessed through the Start Menu).
   
   
2. Double-click on Network Connections.
   
   
3. Right-click on Local Area Connection.
   
   
4. Choose Properties.
   
   
5. You should see the following screen. In the box called This connection uses the following items, you may not see the same exact items listed. If you see Microsoft TCP/IP version 6 listed, you should click on it and then click the Uninstall button.
   
   
   
6. Double-click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and you should see this screen.
   
   
   
7. Be sure that your settings look similar to those above. You should be set to Obtain an IP address automatically and to Obtain DNS server address automatically.
   
   
8. Your computer should now be set to work on the Providence College network.
   
   
9. To be sure that your computer has connected to the network properly, choose Run from the Start Menu.
   
   
   
10. Type cmd and click OK.
    
    
11. In the DOS command prompt that opens, type ipconfig and hit Enter.
    
    
    
12. You should see something similar to the above output. In the residence halls, the IP Address would start with 10.3.

If your internet connection is still not working, you should try your cable in another jack in the room. It is possible your jack is not working or your cable is not working. You can verify the jack by having a roommate with a working computer try their computer in your jack. You can verify the cable by trying a cable that you know works for your roommate. If you have tried all this and you still cannot connect, or you know that your jack is the issue, you should call the Help Desk and enter a work order. One of the ResNet technicians will assist you during normal ResNet hours.

If you problem is related to your jack, you should be prepared to give the Help Desk the number of the jack that is not working. This can be found printed right on the jack and it will start with your room number (for example, if you live in Aquinas 203, your jack number will be either 203-1 or 203-2). The Help Desk may also request another piece of information, the MAC Address or Physical Address of your network card. This can be found using these steps:

1. Choose Run from the Start Menu and type cmd, then click OK.
   
   
   
2. In the DOS command prompt, type ipconfig /all and hit Enter.
   
   
   
3. The Physical Address is the info you will need to give the Helpdesk. It is a series of 6 pairs of alpha-numeric digits.