To connect a Smart TV or gaming device, or to ensure a faster, more reliable Internet connection on your laptop, you will need to connect the device to the Ethernet port in your room. To do so, follow the steps listed below. 

Step One: Make sure you have the right kind of Ethernet cable 

You will connect your device to the Ethernet port with an Ethernet cable. You will need to provide your own RJ-45 cable, commonly known as an Ethernet cable, to connect devices to the wired network.

Ethernet cables can be purchased in most stores that sell electronics. 

Please make sure you have an RJ-45 (fig. 1), not an RJ-11(fig. 2), commonly known as a phone chord.  Examples are provided below to help with identification.

Fig. 1 (RJ-45 Ethernet cord that you need)

Fig. 2 (RJ-11 phone cord. You do not need this)

Step Two: Determine which type of Ethernet port is in your room 

All of the residence halls have Ethernet connections, but there are two different forms of Ethernet access.

Please look at the connection in your room to see which best resembles the configuration in your room.

Configuration 1: Cisco Access Point

This access point can be identified by a Cisco logo on the front that resembles the box pictured. This box contains several active Ethernet ports. You may plug in your devices to this box. Proceed to Step Three.

If your room does not have this box, please look at Configuration 2 for instructions on getting your ports activated.

Configuration 1: Cisco Access Point

Example of Ethernet ports available on underside of wireless access points

Another example of Ethernet ports available on underside of wireless access points

Configuration 2: Standard Ethernet ports

If your room does not have a Cisco box, your room is equipped with a standard Ethernet port. A sample port is pictured. Many Ethernet jacks may also be orange or red.

Try plugging an Ethernet cable into the port and connect it to your device. If your device does not automatically connect, your port is not currently active, and you will need to submit a port activation request to EITS.

You should receive an email when you submit the request, and a separate email once the port has been activated. Once the port has been activated, proceed to Step Three.

Configuration 2: Standard Ethernet Port

Step Three: Register your device

Open a web browser on your device and register the device on the Device Registration Portal in order to access the Internet. Instructions for doing so can be found here. This will allow you to connect to the Internet when you plug your device into the Ethernet port.

This will require you to know the wired MAC address of your device. To find the wired MAC address of your device, follow the instructions found here.