Activating a Network Drop or Jack

First, determine if your network drop is already active. The easiest way to determine if your network drop is active is to plug your computer into the jack.  Once you are plugged in to the jack, you can check to see if the jack is active by doing the following:

Windows XP
Mouse over the network interface icon in your system tray.  If there is a red X on the icon and you receive the message "A network cable is unplugged", then your drop is most likely not active.

Mac OS X
Open the System Preferences and click on Network.  If the light next to "Built-in Ethernet" is red, then your jack is most likely not active.

If your drop appears to be active, but you still cannot get on the network, then you most likely need to have your computer added to the campus DHCP system.  If this is the case, see our Networking Procedures either for the Old DHCP System or the New DHCP System.

If you have determined that your network drop is not active, click on "Request Help" in the AskIt interface. Please put "Activate Network Drop" in the subject line and enter the following information:

• In which building is this drop located?
• What is the room number where the drop is located?
• If available, what is the drop number or label on the drop's faceplate?
• What is the MAC address of the machine currently plugged into that port?
• Has the machine involved been put in DHCP?

Once you have entered this information, click Submit.  An IT staff member should respond to your query within one business day.