Penn State Housing provides Ethernet connectivity to the Internet and the campus computer network for students living in the residence halls. Housing also provides free computer service through ResCom for residents that need help getting connected, cleaning viruses or spyware off their computer or need general hardware or software assistance.

When registering for a connection on a laptop, it is extremely important that you provide the correct adapter address. Registering the wrong address will need to be corrected and that only delays the student from having a working connection. Do not register the wireless adapter address. It looks similar to the regular wired adapter address so please read the screens carefully.

To save power the laptop manufacturers have automatically turned off the wired adapter while using battery power. Please plug your laptop into the wall power before trying to find the correct adapter address. In order to have a working connection when you arrive or finish the process, you must register the correct address. The number one reason students do not work when they plug their computer into the room jack is because they registered the wrong address. They either didn't read the screens properly or they didn't plug the laptop into the wall power before so they could see the correct adapter address when looking for it.

Please refer to our:

  • Bandwidth FAQ for questions about the network bandwidth limits and information on sharing, downloading and uploading.
  • ITS FAQ for email and ITS account concerns and changing passwords.
  • ResCom FAQ for information on the services ResCom provides, our policies and what can help ResCom with your issue faster.
Computer Checklist
ResCom has developed a checklist of computer-related items
which you will need to bring when you move to campus.
Ethernet Connectivity
ResCom’s main focus during the first week of fall semester is to 
help students get connected to the Penn State network and Internet. 
You should register and configure your computer before you arrive Penn State. If you wait until you get here you will experience a delay getting connected. The lines are long and can be avoided if you perform all the steps to get connected before you arrive. This link will provide detailed instructions to get connected in either case.
Secure Your Computer
Being on a large network not only means a high speed connection, but more chances for your computer to be compromised by a virus, hacker, or other online threat. We have put together a list of good ideas and practices for you to take on to keep your data and your computer safe and secure.
Modem
Students who have a computer system without Ethernet capabilities or access to an Ethernet connection will need a modem. This link will give you more information and instructions for connecting to the Penn State network and Internet.
E-mail
Though there are many different e-mail applications that can be used to check your email, Penn State Web mail, Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express are some of the more popular email programs used at Penn State. Available setup instructions for popular email programs.


 



Penn State Auxiliary and Business Services

For information about The Pennsylvania State University Ethernet Request Form,
please contact: rescom@psu.edu.

Design is provided by the Marketing and Communications Office
for Auxiliary and Business Services (absmarketing@psu.edu).
This page was last updated on Thursday, May 9, 2002.
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