How do I Register my Computer on the Wireless Network?

Before registering your device, you must first connect to UT's wireless network.  See Connecting to the Wireless Network.

Where to Register

In order to register your computer on UT's wireless network, you must be in range of the wireless signal. Most of the academic and administrative buildings, as well as many other public areas of campus are covered.

Registration Instructions

1. Turn on your laptop and make sure your wireless card (internal or external) is properly installed and turned on (not all wireless cards have to be turned on, some do. If you are not sure how to activate your card, refer to the manual for your card or laptop.) If your wireless card has an antenna, be sure it is extended. If you are registering a laptop computer, please make sure you have the laptop plugged up and not running on battery power, as the process can take up to two hours to complete.

2. Having two different antivirus programs installed on one computer (even if they are from the same vendor) is not recommended, as it can cause serious problems. If you are running Windows XP or Vista, you must first REMOVE ANY NON-UT ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE before beginning the registration process to avoid problems. If you are not sure that you have the correct antivirus program, (McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise), it is easy to check. Go to your Control Panel and then open the Add or Remove Programs folder and look for McAfee VirusScan Enterprise. This software DOES NOT need to be removed before proceeding. If you are unsure about the version of antivirus software you have and whether it needs to be removed, call the OIT HelpDesk at 974-9900 and we will help. Some examples of antivirus software that will need to be removed are Norton Antivirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton SystemWorks, McAfee VirusScan 7.0, McAfee VirusScan Professional 8.0, etc.

3. Open up a web browser. If your browser does not automatically go to the registration site, type https://support.utk.edu in the address window. To register, you will be prompted to enter your NetID and your NetID password.

4. The registration program will first install the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise software (if not already present). Then the program will check to see if your Windows computer has the latest Microsoft service packs and hot fixes. If the service packs and hot fixes are not found, then the program will install them. Please note that installing the service packs may take a while to complete. Please do not stop this process once it starts, as it may damage your operating system. Once the Microsoft updates have been installed, the program will modify several local security policies on your computer. Setting a lockout policy, disabling guest/anonymous access, and enforcing strong passwords will be the policies that are changed. Last, you will be asked to go through a process by which we will check any account on your computer with administrator access to ensure the accounts have both strong user names and passwords. The registration process may take up to two hours to run. All other operating systems will have an abbreviated registration process, which does not include the installation of antivirus software, the local security policy changes, or the password check of the administrative accounts. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer virus protection for Linux at this time.

5. Once your laptop has been successfully registered, you will be able to connect to the wireless network and check mail, access web sites, etc. Remember that the ut-open network is not encrypted, so please avoid engaging in any non-secure sensitive or confidential activities while using this network.  See Wireless Security for more information.