Ethernet setup

Configuring an Ethernet Card and TCP/IP on Windows Machines

This document explains how to set up an Ethernet card to connect to the SIUC Campus Area Network (CAN). It is written specifically for students living in dormitory rooms that have been wired for this type of connection, such as those at Thompson Point. Please note that ethernet card and adapter are synonymous in this documentation. It assumes that you are adding the ethernet card on your computer for the fisrt time. If you have ethernet card and TCP/IP on your machine before, some of the steps can be eliminated but you need to check the TCP/IP configurations in Step 4.

Hardware Requirements

A computer. This document was written for Windows operating systems, so the computer must be an Intel-based PC.
A 10baseT Ethernet card
A 15-25 foot, category 5 cable with RJ45 connectors

Software Requirements

Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation or Server
You may also need the diskette that came with the Ethernet card

Step 1
Make sure the Ethernet card/adapter is properly installed on your computer. You may be required to run the ethernet card setup program from the diskette that came with the Ethernet card. With the setup disk you may also run diagnostics on the card to make sure it is working properly. The best thing to do is to follow the instructions from the manufacturer of your Ethernet card. Make sure the category 5 cable is plugged into the Ethernet card and in the B-jack on the wall.

Step 2
Power on your computer, the operating system may detect a new hardware and install the driver for it or it may ask you to select the right driver. If it does not detect a new hardware and ask you for the driver, right-click on the Network Neighborhood icon and select properties. Or go to the Control Panel and select Network. A Network window will appear on the screen. Make sure the Configuration tab is open; if not, open it by clicking on it. From the Configuration tab click on the Add button. A Select Network Component Type window will appear. Highlight Adapter and click on the Add button, a list of adapters will appear on the Select Adapter Types window. Highlight the manufacturer of the adapter and the type of Network Adapter then click the OK button. The adapter will be added. If you cannot find the type of adapter you have from the list, you have to insert the driver disk which comes with your adapter and click the Have disk button. (If you don't have the driver disk, you may download it from the web site of the manufacturer of the adapter with a computer which have internet access.) Then select the type of adapter and click the OK button.

Step 3
After the adapter has been properly added, from the same Network window click the Add button. From the Select Network Component Type window, highlight Protocol and click the Add button. The Select Network Protocol window will appear, highlight Microsoft as the Manufacturer and highlight TCP/IP as the network protocol and click on the OK button. It should return to the Network window. From there be sure you click on the OK button. At this point it should ask you to restart your computer, you may click OK to restart or go to step 4.

Step 4
After your computer has been restarted, follow Step 1 to get to the Network window and Configuration tab. From the Configuration tab, highlight TCP/IP and click on the Properties button. The TCP/IP Properties window will appear. From there, click on each tab and follow these configurations:

IP Address - make sure you select Obtain an IP address automatically
WINS Configuration - Select Disable WINS Resolution
Gateway - Do not enter anything here. The DHCP server will provide the IP address for the gateway.
DNS Configuration - Select disable DNS.
Click on the OK button on the TCP/IP Properties window and the Network window. The computer should ask you to restart.

Step 5
After the computer has been restarted, you can click the Start button and select Run. In the Run window, type in winipcfg and click the OK button. An IP Configuration window should open up with the IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and other information. When you see these information, you are properly connected and ready to access the internet.