Connecting Your Computer to ResNet
NOTE: The following instructions do not pertain to residents in Ashton Woods, Daniels Hall, Nugent Hall, Bousfield Hall, or Orchard Downs. If you live in Daniels, Nugent, or Bousfield Hall, go here for setup instructions. If you live in Orchard Downs or Ashton Woods please go here for setup instructions.
Cable Instructions
The first thing you will need a special, non-standard cable with the ends of the cables being different sizes. (One end has a smaller telephone type plug, and one has a larger network type plug; See photo). This cable is only available and used at the University of Illinois' residence halls and will be provided to you.
This blue or teal cable should be found in your room upon arrival. You may need to go to the computer lab to get the special cable if it was not in your room.
Take the cable and put the small end in the wall jack. Just because it fits, doesn't mean its right. Plug the cable into either the bottom of the outlet or the lower left-hand jack, directly below the telephone jack. (To activate the telephone jack in your room, you may contract for the service with the campus telecommunications department.)
Here are pictures of the two types of data wall jacks:
One Computer Connection
If you are only connecting one computer to the internet then all you need to do is put the big end of the cable into your ethernet port on your computer.
After everything is connected, your setup should resemble the diagram below:
Now you are physically connected to the network!
Multiple Computer Connection
If you are connecting two or more computers to the Internet you will need a mini hub and one network cable per computer. If you live in Daniels Hall, Nugent Hall, Bousfield Hall, Sherman Hall or in a Goodwin-Green apartment, please click here for information on obtaining a mini-hub. For all Undergraduate Residence Halls (except Nugent Hall), the hub was placed in your room in a clear bag prior to move in. If you do not have one or believe your hub is broken visit the computer lab. The larger end of the blue cable goes into the port on the hub typically labeled "IN" or "Uplink", and is usually on the extreme left or right of the hub. In most hubs, the last port is shared with the Uplink, so there will usually be a null plug in the 5th port of any mini-hub that is borrowed from Housing. (You cannot connect to the internet by plugging into the 5th port.) A typical hub setup is shown in the photo below.
You will also need additional standard network cables (shown below) for each of the computers in the room. These cables will go from the hub to each of the computers in the room. These standard cables have the large ends on both sides. These are commonly available and now often come with the purchase of a new computer or network adapter. They do not have to be purchased on campus, although 14 foot ethernet cables are offered for sale at your front desk for only $5.
After everything is connected, your setup should resemble the diagram below:
Now you are physically connected to the network!
Wireless Connections
Wireless is available in almost every public building on campus, and is installed in many of the residence halls. On most modern computers, connecting to wireless should be simple - just select IllinoisNet and enter your NetID and password to get connected, and stay connected. You can find additional information and detailed instructions about connecting to campus wireless here.