Note: The following questions may not apply to those residents living in Orchard Downs or Ashton Woods, because they are not on the RESnet network. Those residents should use the following questions as a guide only and refer to the Orchard Downs and Ashton Woods technology pages for specific information regarding off-campus internet.
General Questions
Getting Connected
Viruses
Filesharing
Firewalls
Wireless
CITES Services
Printing
Quarantine
Disconnections
Computer Lab Offerings
Popups & Spyware
Software Help
General Questions
What is RESnet?
URHnet (the University Residence Hall network) brings Ethernet computer communications (10Mbps) to the rooms of students living in University residence halls. Jointly sponsored by the University's CITES (Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services) and University Housing, RESnet offers connections not only with other computers on campus but access to computing resources around the world.
Where and when did RESnet start?
URHnet all started in 1992 as a pilot program at ISR. The goal was to create campus-wide access to the network. Over the next 4 years, all the other undergraduate halls were added to the campus network. The network used existing 10BaseT technology to combine telephone and network wiring. This system was very efficient considering the time, energy, and expense put into its creation. Older technologies need to be upgraded every so often, and we are working on it! With faster computers and increased usage, RESnet has seen the need to grow from the older system. The newest addition of RESnet is the recently renovated system in Daniels hall. Daniels hall has category 5 wiring, with 10/100 switched capabilities (users restricted to 10Mb/s).
How does RESnet work?
Residents of University Residence Halls, of whom 95% own computers, use RESnet to connect their personal computers to other computers inside the hall, elsewhere on campus, and across the Internet. UIUCnet, the campus network, is part of the Internet, an international "web" of computing networks which has been made even more accessible by the use of web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. Your residence hall connections on RESnet can take you to computers all over the world!
Is RESnet available in all University residence halls?
Yes! With the exception of Orchard Downs and Ashton Woods, which use Comcast Internet.
If I use RESnet, what are my rights and responsibilities?
The University owns all physical cabling and hardware leading to your connection. Additionally it is responsible for all for the information that is transmitted across its network. Therefore, it is your responsibility to conform the official policies laid down by the University. Regarding network traffic, the policy is based around a 2GB a day rule of thumb. Currently, RESnet uses a system called "Rate-Limiting", so your connection is not disabled if you exceed the 2GB limit, but your network speed will decrease. However, ports may be disabled for high traffic when the rate-limiting system is abused or for copyright violations. If your machine is "hacked" or infected with a virus your room's connection may be moved to the quarantine network. Your rights and responsibilities are best explained in the documents below:
What is a NetTech?
A NetTech, or Network Technician, is a University Housing Student Employee. NetTechs often live in the halls they tech in and provide computer support for students in University Residence Halls with the exception of Orchard Downs and Ashton Woods. NetTechs hold lab hours weekly during which students can go down to the computer labs and have their questions answered. Other NetTechs work at the Helpline answering phones when students call needing help. You may receive a phone call from a NetTech at some point during your stay in the halls. All NetTechs work on online help requests. NetTechs are not CITES and NetTechs do not help students who do not live in the Residence Halls and currently do not support Orchard Downs and Ashton Woods. For information on contacting a NetTech visit the help pages.
Getting Connected
What do I need to get connected?
You'll probably want a computer with at least a Pentium 4 (or equivalent.) For more specific recommendations consult our Computer Systems guidelines.
How do I get started?
Try looking through our New Student Guide. If you need to install an ethernet card into your computer, or you are not sure, look through our hardware section for information. Once you have done that, plug in your computer using the appropriate cable (described in the Connecting Your Computer) page. If your computer seems to be connected to the internet, you may need to walk through the software section for your operating system.
Where can I get help?
Walk through the steps on our Troubleshooting Pages. If you cannot connect after following all of the steps then contact a NetTech.
Viruses
How do I get rid of viruses?
Use the free virus scanner provided by CITES to remove the virus from your computer. For further instructions on the installation and use of the virus scanner click here.
Firewalls
What is a firewall?
The firewall on RESnet is used to block internet traffic on certain ports. A firewall on your computer may block certain programs from accessing the internet by asking the user if the program should be allowed to access the internet.
Why would I want one?
A firewall on RESnet provides better security for our residents and the campus community. Security problems are a major cause of network interruptions on campus, and the firewall helps to decrease the number of problems and computers that get "hacked" on RESnet.
So where do I get one?
URHnet has a firewall set on the network and many computers come loaded with a firewall. If you have Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (don't know which OS you have? Find out.) then you can follow instructions on configuring the Windows XP firewall to make sure it is turned on.
If you do not have Windows XP, then you can download a free firewall such as ZoneAlarm.
What applications are blocked by the campus firewall?
A list of applications is provided here.
Wireless
Are wireless routers allowed in my room?
Absolutely NOT. The default configuration of most wireless routers interferes with the internet connectivity of rooms around you. Because of this, we have decided to prohibit wireless routers & access points in residence hall rooms, regardless of configuration. If caught with a wireless router in your room,you should expect to have your room's network connection disabled until we can confirm the router was removed.
Printing
How can I print to the lab laser printers from my room?
Click here
Software Help
How can I configure my computer to make Compass work?
Assuming your internet connection is working, you need three things to get Compass to work. #1 a Java Platform, #2 allow uiuc popups, & #3 allow cookies.
- In order to run compass you need the Sun Java 2 Platform installed. To install this software:
- Click the Java - Get It Now button below. The Download Java 2 Platform page appears.
- Scroll down to J2SE v 1.4.2_08 JRE. Note: You do NOT want the J2SE SDK.
- Click Download J2SE JRE and follow the online instructions.
Mac OS X users already have Java preinstalled.
- Because Service Pack 2 enables a firewall and an internet pop-up blocker on your computer, you will need to allow pop-ups from the uiuc.edu and uillinois.edu domains so that certain university applications (such as Banner and Compass) will function properly.
You can enable university pop-ups in one of two ways. Either of the following methods will allow pop-ups from the uiuc.edu and uillinois.edu domains.
Automatic Method:
Manual Method:
- Download the CITES XP SP2 Firewall Pop-up Config registry file.
- Click Run to install the configuration.
- Click Yes to confirm that you want to add new information to the registry.
- Click OK.
- Open Internet Explorer.
- On the toolbar go to Tools.
- In the drop down click on Internet Options.
- Select the Privacy tab at the top of the window.
- Click Setting at the bottom of the Privacy tab.
- Enter uiuc.edu and click Add.
- Enter uillinois.edu and click Add.
- Click Close.
- Click OK.
- Allow cookies:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- On the toolbar go to Tools.
- In the drop down click on Internet Options.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Make sure the slider is set to Medium. If not, move it to such setting.
- Hit OK.