Getting Connected

Internet Access at UT

To use your own computer on campus, and access the Internet you must register your computer with UT's network.

RESIDENCE HALL INTERNET ACCESS

Students living in residence halls may connect their computers to the UT network physically, using an Ethernet connection. You will be using UT’s Internet connection system known as ResNet (Residence Hall Internet Access). You can subscribe to the UT ResNet listserv to keep up to date on outages and improvements.

UT provides one free Ethernet cable and a dedicated 10-megabit/second Ethernet connection to each student living in a campus residence hall. Once you have registered your computer, these connections provide you with access to the Internet, email, and your UNIX account (which enables you to create your own webpage).

Most computers now come with a network interface card installed. If you are unsure of your computer’s configuration, contact the HelpDesk at 974-9900 or go to the HelpDesk webpage. OIT provides free installation and configuration for all supported network cards if you need to add one. This can be done during the summer if you can bring your CPU or laptop and your network card to our OIT Service Center, located in the Commons South, second floor, Hodges Library.

Personal hardware such as routers and switches will interfere with UT’s wireless network and are not allowed.

OFF-CAMPUS ACCESS

UT students who live off campus must make arrangements for their own Internet service provider for Internet access.

Although you will be using an ISP other than UT when you connect to the Internet from off campus, you will still be able to access your UT e-mail account, class registration, Blackboard and other university services that people living on campus have access to.

If you bring your laptop to campus with you, you will need to register your computer with UT (see below) in order to use UT's wireless network.

REGISTER YOUR COMPUTER

Once you have a NetID and password, you can register your computer and get connected to the Internet.

If you will be using your own computer on campus, whether you live in a residence hall or whether you live off campus and bring a laptop to class, you must register your computer with the university network in order to have Internet access.

If you plan to connect to the network through both wired and wirelessly you will need to register your computer twice as each type of connection requires a separate registration.

To begin the registration process, simply open a web browser on your computer. 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.

UT's network will see your computer but will need more information about you. You will be automatically redirected to http://support.utk.edu.

When a registration dialog box appears, follow the prompts and type in the necessary information. Once your computer has been successfully registered, you will be able to connect to the Internet through UT's network.

ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

As part of the registration process, UT will install antivirus software on your computer (McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise), as well as any relevant security updates. (Note: antivirus software will be installed only on computers running the Windows operating system.)

Having more than one antivirus program installed on a computer (even if they are from the same vendor) can cause serious problems. If you are running Windows XP or Vista, you must remove any non-UT antivirus software before you begin the registration process.
McAfee's Virus Scan Enterprise is the only antivirus software that does not need to be removed. Some examples of antivirus software that must be removed are Norton Antivirus 2004, Norton Internet Security 2004, Norton System Works 2004, McAfee Virus Scan 7.0, McAfee Virus Scan Professional 8.0, etc.

If you are uncertain about the exact antivirus software you have and whether it needs to be removed, you can call the Help desk at 865-974-9900.

You can also check this yourself. Go to your control panel, open the Add or Remove Programs folder, and look for McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise.

 

  

If you are having problems accessing the wireless network or just have some questions on how to get started, contact

OIT HelpDesk at 974-9900

or visit the OIT Service Center, located in the Commons South, second floor, Hodges Library.

Join our OIT Technology Training Group on Facebook and find out about all the great free computer training classes that are offered to help you in your academic classes!