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Mac OS X Ethernet Connection (DHCP)
These instructions pertain to Mac OS X 10.4 ("Tiger") and 10.3 ("Panther"). For previous versions of OS X, please see the corresponding guide for Mac OS X 10.2 and earlier.
Most etherjacks on campus use DHCP, which means the network assigns an IP address automatically to your computer. If you need a static IP address (e.g., for a dedicated server), please contact nts@umn.edu.
Contents:
- Find your Hardware Address (a.k.a. MAC Address, Ethernet Address)
- Register your computer's Hardware Address
- Configure your computer to use DHCP
You must know your Internet ID and password to complete these steps. If you do not know them, contact 1-HELP.
Find your Hardware Address
All necessary software is part of the Mac OS X default installation. You should not need to make additional installs.
To find your hardware address:
- From the Apple Menu, choose System Preferences, and then Network.
- Select Built-in Ethernet from the Show pop-up menu.
- Select the Ethernet tab.
- Your Ethernet ID is listed in this window.
Make a note of it;
this will be the "hardware address" you register in the next section.
Register your computer's Hardware Address
This can be done with any Web browser on any computer that is connected to the Internet.
- If you are registering from your residence hall, go to the ResNet Web site,
http://www.resnet.umn.edu,
and click on the link for Sign up for ethernet service.
Follow the instructions from there.
Otherwise, go directly to the NTS DHCP Registration page, https://wwws.nts.umn.edu/cgi-bin/dhcpreg. - Select the option to Add a new hardware address. Click the next button.
- Please read the Acceptable Use Policies. If you choose to proceed, click the I Agree button.
- Enter your Internet ID and Hardware Address. When entering the Hardware Address, type the string of letters and numbers without spaces, colons, hyphens, or any other extra characters (e.g., 00b12437b448). There will only be numbers and the letters A through F in the address. Click the Next button.
- Residence Hall students will be redirected to the ResNet site. Select the appropriate button to continue.
- Enter the password for your Internet ID; click Finish Registration.
- Go to your browser's File menu, and then choose Quit to clear your Internet ID and password from your browser's memory.
- You will receive an e-mail confirming your DHCP Registration. It may take up to an hour for your registration to become active between 5am and 5pm, 7 days a week. Otherwise the hardware addresses are updated at 7pm and 3am.
DHCP Ethernet Configuration for Mac OS X
This guide assumes that your computer has the network adapter and TCP/IP already installed. All Macs certified by Apple to run Mac OS X will already have built-in ethernet adapter hardware, and the necessary networking software is part of OS X's default installation.
- From the Apple Menu choose System Preferences, then Network.
- Make sure Built-in Ethernet is selected in the Show field.
- Select the TCP/IP tab.
- Set Configure IPv4 to Using DHCP.
- Leave the DNS Servers and Search Domains fields blank.
- Click Apply Now to save the changes.
