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Mac OSX ResNet Connection Guide

1. Connect your ethernet cable

With the computer off, locate the ethernet port on the back of your computer (see image 1). Note that you can tell the difference between an ethernet port and a telephone port (used for dial-up modem connection) by the number of pins inside the port. A telephone port will have 2-4 pins while an ethernet port has 8. Since some ethernet cables can fit into both types of ports it is very important to make sure you are inserting it into the correct one.

Image 1 - An ethernet plug and a phone plug shown to demonstrate the difference between the two.

Image 1 - An ethernet jack (left) and a phone jack (right). Notice the ethernet jack has many more pins (small brass pieces of metal) than the phone jack.

Locate the ethernet port on your wall. It may be located on the same panel as your telephone jack. Again making sure that you are inserting the cable into the ethernet jack and not the telephone jack, plug the other end of your ethernet cable into the wall. Note that on the wall, the telephone jacks are red while ethernet jacks are blue.

2. Configure your computer

Start your computer. When it has booted, click the apple icon in the upper lefthand corner of the screen, select System Preferences (see image 2)

Image 2 - Screen capture showing the location of the System Preferences in the Apple menu.

Image 2 - The System Preferences is accessable through the apple menu.

Double click Network. Select 'Built-in Ethernet' from the Show menu (see image 3).

Image 3 - Screen capture showing how to select 'built-in ethernet' within the Network properties.

Image 3 - The Network properties window. Select "Built-In Ethernet".

Finally, select 'Using DHCP' from the Configure menu (see image 4). Click "Apply Now" and close the System Preferences window.

Image 4 - Screen capture showing how to select 'Using DHCP' from the configure menu in the network options.

Image 4 - Drag down the Configure menu and select "Using DHCP".

3. Register

Open your web browser. A page titled 'Grinnell College Network Registration' should open automatically. If your browser window remains blank, type any url into the URL box (i.e. 'http://www.yahoo.com'). If your browser still won't display the registration page, restart your computer. Once the registration page loads, fill in the blanks provided on the web page and click accept. Review the information you have submitted, and click Submit. Restart your computer to complete the registration process.

Need help? Call the helpdesk at x4400.