Common questions concerning ethernet cards, RJ-45 connector, CAT-5 ports, and more! If you would like to add another item on this list, please contact the Student Computing Support Desk by filling out an online form.

Vanderbilt Network Connection

• I have checked and found that there is no light on my ethernet card. What does this mean?
• My wall jack worked with my friend's computer. What should I do next?
• I still can't get a connection using my friend's CAT5e cable. What should I do next?
• I had my ethernet card installed by my friend and my computer cannot connect. What's wrong?
• I have my cable for my computer. Where do I plug it in?
• I have a laptop and am unable to connect to the student HMS Network. What should I do?
• My phone jack is not working. Whom do I call?
• What is the MAC ID of my computer?
• Why is my wireless intermittenly connected in Vandy?
• Can I use a router in my Vandy room?
• Can I have a second jack activated in my Vandy room?
• I'm moving out of Vandy. Does HMS provide free internet access for students living off-campus?
• Where is the Student Computing mini-computer lab located in Vanderbilt Hall?
• Can I access the printer in the mini-computer lab located in Vanderbilt Hall via a wireless connection?
• The printer is out of toner in the mini-computer lab? Who do I tell?

Vanderbilt Network Connection

I have checked and found that there is no light on my ethernet card. What does this mean?

If the light is not on where your ethernet card is located, then there is a good possibility that the wall jack may not be working. How to test this wall jack? Try using a working computer from a friend, plug in a CAT-5e cable to the jack, and see if the light turns on or off near the ethernet or network interface card (NIC). If the light is off, then most likely the wall jack is not working. Look on the face plate, and write down the wall jack number. If the light is on, then it may be your computer or the CAT-5e cable. Newly bought cables have been known to be defective. Cables can be bought at the Harvard Coop on Longwood Avenue.

If you are having problems with your jack, please contact the Student Computing Support Desk by filling out an online form. Please include a brief message of the issue, your full name, your eCommons username and HUID, your jack plate number, your Vanderbilt room number, and your contact phone number. We will contact you.

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My wall jack worked with my friend's computer. What should I do next?

First, plug your friend's CAT-5e cable into your computer and the wall jack port. Test to see if the ethernet light on your card is active. If the light is on, then your card is working, but you probably need to buy a new CAT-5e cable, which is available at the Harvard Coop down Longwood Avenue.

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I still can't get a connection using my friend's CAT-5e cable. What should I do next?

Find the software to your ethernet card. Install the driver software for your ethernet card. Then follow the directions to obtain access to the HMS newtork.

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I had my ethernet card installed by my friend and my computer cannot connect. What's wrong?

First, find out what is the brand name of the ethernet card, who makes it and what its model number is. Next, make sure you have the software that came with your computer. Then, email Student Computing Support Desk at support@student.hms.harvard.edu with your information for assistance.

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I have my cable for my computer. Where do I plug it in?

You need a CAT-5e or CAT6 cable to hook up your computer to the HMS wired Network. It has a RJ-45 connector at the ends, one to plug in the back or side of your computer and the other to plug into the jack face plate located on one of the walls in your room. The face plate will either have four or two ports depending upon your room. Normally, the active jack is the lower left port on the jack face plate.

NOTE: The ports for the RJ-45 connector (8 pins) are slighter larger than and will not fit in the telephone jacks (4 pins). Do not force the cable jack into the port. It should plug in easily and snuggly.

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I have a laptop and am unable to connect to the student HMS Network. What should I do?

Fill out an online form and submit it to the Student Computing Support Desk. Make sure that you tell us the following information:

• Laptop or Desktop and the operating system of it (e.g., Windows 2000/XP, Mac OS X/9.2);
• You possess the CD-ROM that came with your computer (e.g, ethernet card driver software and recovery software for your operating system);
• Power cable for your laptop;
• CAT-5e or CAT6 cable;
• Vandy Room Number;
• Jack Plate Number;
• Phone Number to reach you; and
• Your MAC ID of your computer.

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My phone jack is not working. Whom do I call?

NOTE: Student Computing supports only computer-related network issues. For any phone issues, please contact the PAETEC office (800-960-6555) and let them know that you are having problems with your phone jack (4 pins). NOTE: This is not the same as your ethernet jack.

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What is the MAC ID of my computer?

Every computer has a unique identification number for each ethernet card installed (wired and wireless). To find out how to get your MAC ID (media access control identification card) for your computer (Windows-based and Macintosh-based PC), follow the directions below.

Windows-based PCs
1. Power on your computer. In the Start menu, click on Run....
2. Enter the following word without quotations, cmd (for Windows 2000/XP) or command (for Windows ME/98).

3. A window dialog will pop up. Enter the following word without quotations, ipconfig /all (for Windows 2K/XP) or winipcfg /all (for Windows ME/98).

4. Write down the Physical Address: of wired and wireless ethernet cards, if you have both.

Macintosh-based OS X PCs (See Mac OS 9.2)
1. Power on your computer. Highlight System Preferences... under the Apple icon (for Mac OS X or higher).

2. Click on the Network icon under the category, Internet & Network.

3. Click the tab, Ethernet. Look for Ethernet ID: that stands for your MAC ID.

Macintosh-based PCs (Mac OS 9.2)
1. Power on your computer. Highlight Apple Talk under Control Panels under the Apple icon.

2. Click on the button, Info, icon on the Apple Talk panel.

3. Look at the Hardware address:. This is your MAC ID of your computer.

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Why is my wireless intermittenly connecting in Vandy?

Both the HMS public and private wireless networks are accessible throughout Vanderbilt. If you are having issues accessing the wireless networks, double check your configuration settings on your computer by reading the following information.

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Can I use a router in my Vandy room?

Yes. Routers, switches, and hubs are allowed on the HMS network in Vanderbilt Hall.

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Can I have a second jack activated in my Vandy room?

Unfortunately, no. However, you can use a router or a mini ethernet hub. What is a mini-ethernet hub? Check it out!

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Where is the Student Computing mini-computer lab located in Vanderbilt Hall?

The Student Computing mini-computer lab is located in Room 302B in Vanderbilt Hall. This mini-lab contains four Windows-based computers and one HP 4350dtn printer. Students must supply their own paper.

NOTE: One of the computers is available and designated for visiting students and scholars.

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Can I access the printer in the mini-computer lab located in Vanderbilt Hall via a wireless connection?

Yes, you can. Carefully follow these instructions for either Windows-based PCs or Mac-based PCs.

NOTE: Students must provide paper for the printer in Vanderbilt 302B.

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The printer is out of toner in the mini-computer lab? Who do I tell?

You need to go down to the basement of Vandy to the HMS IT Department. Once you walk into the department, ask one of the staff members at the front desk for toner for the printer in the mini-lab. If you don't know how to install the toner, please contact the Student Computing Support Desk by filling out an online form.

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