Windows Vista/XP Network Setup on Campus

Published by Information Technology Services

This document assumes:

• You already have an Ethernet adapter or wireless card installed in your computer. If you need an Ethernet adapter or wireless networking card, you can purchase one at Tech CYte in the University Book Store (Memorial Union) or other area stores.

• You are attempting to make a connection via Ethernet or wireless connection.

• You already have an Iowa State Net-ID.

• You are in a building or area that supports Iowa State's NetReg (all residence halls, University Family Housing, Frederiksen Court, many on-campus buildings).

• [Wireless only] You are in a wireless zone for the wireless network; see existing access areas online at http://www.it.iastate.edu/wireless/.

• [Wireless only] Your wireless card software is configured without encryption for a network name of IASTATE for public wireless access, or either RES-GOLD or RES-CARDINAL for residence hall room access. (RES-GOLD is faster than RES-CARDINAL, if your computer can accommodate it.)

1. View the properties of your network connection.
   
   Vista: Click Windows Icon -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center. On the left side, click Manage Network Connections. Double-click Local Area connection. Click Properties. Click Continue if a dialog box pops up asking for permission.
   
   XP: Click Start -> Control Panel. Click Network and Internet Connections. Click Network Connections. Double-click Local Area Connection (or Wireless Network Connection). Click Properties.

2. If Client for Microsoft Networks is not already installed, click Install, double-click Client, highlight Microsoft in the left window, and Client for Microsoft Networks in the right window. Click OK.

3. Vista: If Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) is not already installed, click Install, double-click Protocol, highlight Microsoft in the left window, and Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the right window. Click OK.
   
   XP: If Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is not already installed, click Install, double-click Protocol, highlight Microsoft in the left window, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the right window. Click OK.

4. Vista: Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click Properties.
   
   XP: Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click Properties.

5. Make sure the following are selected:

   • Obtain an IP address automatically.

   • Obtain DNS server address automatically.

6. Click Advanced and verify the following settings for each tab:

   • IP Settings: Remove any gateways.

   • DNS: Uncheck Register this connection's addresses in DNS.

   • WINS: Select Use NetBIOS setting from the DHCP server.

7. Click OK twice and then Close to exit the Local Area Connection properties.

8. Vista [wireless only]: Right-click Wireless Network Connection and select Connect/Disconnect. Select IASTATE, RES-GOLD, or RES-CARDINAL. Click Connect and if any permissions dialogs pop up, click OK.
   
   XP [wireless only]: Right-click Wireless Network Connection and select View Available Wireless Networks. Select IASTATE, RES-GOLD, or RES-CARDINAL; check the box by "Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network, even though it is not secure." and click Connect.

9. Change your computer name. Duplicate names cannot be used on the network.
   
   Vista: Click Windows Icon -> Control Panel. Click System and Maintenance. Click System. Under the Domain and Workgroup settings, click Change Settings. Click Change. Enter a unique computer name.
   
   XP: Click Start -> Control Panel. Double-click System. Click the Computer Name tab. Click Change. Enter a unique computer name.

10. Click OK. You may need to restart for the changes to take effect.

11. Start a web browser (Netscape 3.0 or higher, or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher).

12. If you are not automatically directed to the registration page, go to http://netreg.iastate.edu/.

13. Follow the instruction on the registration page. Some of the pages can take a couple minutes to load.

14. When you reach the page with the message, "Your system is registered," restart your computer.

Wireless Settings

The following settings may need to be configured in the third-party client manager software for wireless adapters:

Network name/SSID: IASTATE (or RES-GOLD or RES-CARDINAL)

Mode: Infrastructure

Encryption/Security: Disabled/None

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