Connecting Windows XP Professional to SUNet Using Ethernet
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Your computer needs a unique Internet address in order for it to work in Stanford's computer network (SUNet). To get a valid Internet address assigned to your computer, you must first install a network adapter, configure the TCP/IP protocol, and determine your Ethernet hardware address. Once you know your Ethernet hardware address, you need to register it with Residential Computing if you are a student or with your Local Network Administrator (LNA) if you are faculty or staff. Your Residential Computing Coordinator or LNA must then enter this information in NetDB, (Stanford's network configuration database) before your computer can operate on SUNet.
Note: You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure.
Installing the Network Adapter
If you are connecting to SUNet by plugging a cable into a wall jack on campus, you are probably connecting via Ethernet.
To connect via Ethernet, you need to have built-in Ethernet, have an Ethernet adapter installed in your desktop computer, or use a PCMCIA Ethernet adapter if you have a laptop computer. If you had Windows XP and an Ethernet adapter pre-installed on your computer, your network card driver will have been installed for you. You may want to get the help of your Local Network Administrator (LNA) or Expert Partner for installing the network adapter.
Configuring the TCP/IP Protocol and Determining Your Ethernet Address
- In Windows XP, click the Start button and select Control Panel.
- Click the Network and Internet Connections category.
Note: If you are using Classic View, you will see the control panel icons instead of categories. Double-click the Network Connections icon and go to step 4.
- Click the Network Connections control panel icon.
- Double-click Local Area Connection, listed under LAN or High-Speed Internet.
- When the Local Area Connection Status window is displayed, click the Properties button.
- In the Local Area Connection Properties window, do the following:
- Verify that the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) box is checked.
- Float your mouse over the Ethernet adapter listed in the Connect using box (and don't move it for a couple of seconds) to display the hardware
Ethernet MAC (Media Access Control) address. Make note of this address because you will need to provide it to your RCC or LNA.
Note: If your Ethernet adapter is not listed in the Connect using box, you need to install your adapter.
- Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) once to highlight it and then click the Properties button.
- Verify that the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) box is checked.
- In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, do the following:
- Click Obtain an IP address automatically.
- Click Obtain DNS server address automatically.
Note: See the instructions for entering DNS and WINS server addresses manually if you want to enter the server addresses manually or if you encounter problems, such as being unable to access web pages that are not already saved on your computer.
- Click Obtain an IP address automatically.
- Click OK to exit the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window.
- Click Close to exit the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) dialog box, and click Close to exit the Local Area Connection Status window.
Determining Your Ethernet Address - Alternate Method
Note: If you obtained your hardware Ethernet (or MAC) address while configuring TCP/IP or if you already know it, you can skip this step.
To determine your hardware Ethernet address:
- Click the Windows XP Start button and select Run. Type command and then click OK.
- At the C:\ prompt, type ipconfig /all and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
- The next screen displays information about your Ethernet adapter local area connection. Your twelve-digit, hardware Ethernet address is in the Physical
Address field.
In the following example, the Ethernet address is
00-01-03-1A-80-6C.
- At the C:\ prompt, type exit to close the window.
Registering Your Ethernet Address
You will not be able to use your computer on the network until your hardware Ethernet address is registered.
- Faculty and staff: Give your hardware Ethernet address and other configuration information to your Local Network Administrator (LNA). You
can locate your LNA on the following web page:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/networking/dist/sunet.reports/LNA.html
- On-campus students: You must register your connections online at:
- Off-campus students: Submit a HelpSU request to the Stanford IT Help Desk. Be sure to include your hardware Ethernet address in the request description.
Graduate students living off campus who use their computer primarily in a department office should try contacting their LNA first.
