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Mac OS X Ethernet Connection (DHCP)

These instructions pertain to Mac OS X versions 10.2 ("Jaguar") and earlier. For previous versions of OS X, please see the corresponding guide for Mac OS X 10.3 and later.

Most Etherjacks on campus use DHCP. If you need a static IP address you should contact nts@umn.edu.

Follow these simple steps to use DHCP:

• Find your Hardware Address (a.k.a., MAC 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, call Technology Help at 612-301-4357

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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:

1. Select the Apple Menu, choose the System Preferences option, and the Network control panel.
2. Make sure Built-in Ethernet is selected in the Configure: field.
3. Select the TCP/IP tab.
4. Your Ethernet Address is listed in this window.

   

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Register your computer's Hardware Address

This can be done with any web browser on any computer that is connected to the Internet.

1. If you are using this from your residence hall, go to the Web site: http://www.resnet.umn.edu and click on the link for Sign up for ethernet service. Follow the instructions from there.
2. Otherwise go directly to the https://wwws.nts.umn.edu/cgi-bin/dhcpreg.
3. Click the button to Add a new hardware address and click on next.
4. Please read the Acceptable Use Policies and click the I Agree button.
5. Enter you Internet ID and Hardware Address. When entering the Hardware Address, type the string of letters and numbers with hyphens (i.e. 00b05f62c44b). Do not insert spaces or punctuation (There will only be numbers and the letters a-f in the address). Click the Next button.

   

6. Residence Hall students will be redirected to the ResNet site. Select the appropriate button to continue.
7. Enter the password for your Internet ID; click Finish Registration.
8. Select the File menu, and the exit (or quit) command from your browser to clear out your Internet ID and password from your browser's memory.
9. 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.

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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.

1. From the Apple Menu choose System Preferences, then Network.
2. Select the TCP/IP tab.
3. Set the Configure selection to Built-in Ethernet.
4. Set the second Configure: selection to Using DHCP.
5. Add umn.edu and tc.umn.edu in the Search Domains field.
6. All other fields should be blank.
7. Close the Network control panel.
8. Click Save to save the changes to your current configuration.