How to Connect a Mac to the Exeter ResNet

Introduction

Exeter's ResNet system lets students living in University accommodation have an ethernet connection to internet services from their own room. However, IT Services support staff are stretched to their limits sorting-out the many problems of PC-owners and don't have time to help students who own Macs.

Half the joy of owning a Mac is being able to do things without having to call in an expert. So, here are some notes to help Mac owners get connected. I have never even been inside one of the Exeter Halls of Residence, and have never tried Resnet, so the following is all guesswork. Please try it and tell me (C.D.H.Williams@ex.ac.uk) how you get on and what corrections and additions are needed.

Before you start

If you have previously connected your Mac to the internet, for example via modem connection, make a careful note of the settings you used. The 'Location Manager' in some recent versions of MacOS is able to store settings for more than one location.

Ethernet Hardware

You need a "UTP cable" of suitable length with an 8-pin RJ-45 male plug on each end which you can buy from ITS for a few pounds to connect between the ethernet socket, which has a <-> symbol by it, on your Mac and the ResNet outlet socket in your room. Make a note of the number on the outlet (of the form 1-02-003).

Ethernet Software

There are several software parameter settings that need to be correct for everything to work correctly. These are described on sepearate pages for the older Classic Macs (i.e. pre-MacOS X system software) and the more recent Macs Running MacOS X.