What is ResNet?
Is there a Minimum System Requirement for computers?
My computer doesn't meet the Minimum System Requirements. What can I do?
Why does ResNet require me to install McAfee AntiVirus?
I already have AntiVirus software installed.  Isn't that sufficient?
Why does ResNet require XP SP2 and Windows 2000 SP4 + patches?
Do I need a campus email account?
Can I get this service if I am off Campus?
How do I connect my computer to the network?
How do I find my computer's Ethernet Hardware Address? 
When is the Technology Support Center open?
How much does it cost to connect my computer to the network?
What do I get for my connection fee?
What if I don't already have an Ethernet card installed in my computer?
What if I don't know how to install the Ethernet card?
What software will I get with this connection?
What if I move to another Hall?
May I set up a server in my room?
Can I register additional computers?
My roommate has a machine connected to the only Ethernet jack in the room. Does this mean I can't hook up mine?
What is a hub and how does it work? (sometimes referred to as a "splitter")
Why isn't it working?
Why won't the Auto Registration program let me register?
How can I obtain a refund?

What is ResNet?

ResNet is an acronym for Residential Network. The term ResNet is what we use to identify the student on-campus network. At Oswego there are a total of 12 residence halls which are all connected to the campus network via Ethernet in each room.

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Is there a Minimum System Requirement for computers?

Yes, a listing of these requirements can be found here.  We will not be able to connect your computer to the network if it does not meet these requirements.  Although it may be possible for you to connect a computer that does not meet these requirements, we simply cannot provide support for these machines since supporting older platforms requires a great deal more resources than we are allotted. 

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My computer doesn't meet the Minimum System Requirements. What can I do?  

If you still wish to be connected, we suggest you upgrade to a computer that meets the minimum system requirements.

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Why does ResNet require me to install McAfee AntiVirus?

McAfee is a required install for several reasons. The most important one is that our network must remain protected from internal and external virus threats. A vital part of this protection strategy is to ensure that all students have a reliable antivirus program installed on their computers. Without adequate protection, worms and other malicious software have opportunities to infect your system. In turn, the traffic generated by infected computers can slow the entire campus network to a crawl. By installing McAfee, you are not only securing your personal computer, you are also contributing to the stability and security of the campus network.

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I already have antivirus software installed.  Isn't that sufficient?

Unfortunately not. At this time, our Resnet activation system cannot automate a check for the vast number of existing antivirus software packages.  Therefore, to ensure that a reliable antivirus package is installed, we require installation of McAfee. We do realize that new computers tend to include antivirus software, but these services are subscription-based. Once the trial subscription runs out, such software is no longer fully functional. Expired antivirus software will not protect your computer. By installing the latest McAfee software provided by Campus Technology Services, your computer will enjoy a consistent level of protection during your stay at SUNY Oswego.

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Why does ResNet require XP SP2 and Windows 2000 SP4 + patches?

The reason is simple: increased security. As new Windows exploits are discovered, it is extremely important that you continuously protect your systems from these threats. At a bare minimum, Windows 2000/XP users should have the latest Service Pack installed. Microsoft releases patches and security updates on a monthly basis, and your system should be configured to automatically detect and install these updates as they are released.

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Do I need a campus email account? 

Yes!  It is required that you have your campus email account activated prior to applying for your ResNet connection. To activate your campus email account if you haven't done so before, please click here to activate it electronically.  The ResNet Automated Registration System uses your campus username/password for authentication.  Because of this you need to have your campus email account active before you can sign up for ResNet!  If your campus account isn't active, you can't activate your ResNet connection. 

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Can I get this service if I am off -campus?

At this time the only service we offer to off-campus Residents is 56 Kbps dial-up connectivity.  However, the city of Oswego and surrounding areas are serviced by Time Warner's RoadRunner service, which is comparable to the service we offer.  Through RoadRunner you can access campus network resources such as your email and library based information services. Please also note that Time Warner's RoadRunner service is not available on campus. 

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How do I connect my computer to the network?

In order to connect your computer to ResNet, you must have agreed to your college bill charges through MyOswego.  After you have agreed to these charges follow the automatic network registration system instructions.  

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How do I find my computer's Ethernet Hardware Address?

When you call for support you may be asked for your Ethernet hardware address (also called a "MAC" address).  To find your Ethernet Hardware Address, click HERE.  

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When is the Technology Support Center open?

See our normal semester hours, click HERE.

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How much does it cost to connect my computer to the network?

There is a per semester connection fee of $49.00. We do not pro-rate this fee according to how long you've been here.  If you don't come to the campus until Spring semester, you are still required to pay the $49 connection fee and you will have the same connection period as all the other ResNet connected students.  

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What do I get for my connection fee?

The connection fee is what actually gives you the network connection.  You are paying for the connection for the whole semester as well as the technical support from the Technology Support Center staff.  (Please note that Network Services no longer provides network cards or Ethernet cables!)

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What if I don't already have an Ethernet card installed in my computer?

If your computer didn't come with an Ethernet card already installed, you may purchase a network card at the College Book Store.  They have several different types available. There is a difference between desktop and laptop Ethernet cards. A desktop Ethernet card will not work in a laptop, and a laptop Ethernet card will not work in a desktop. Please be sure you purchase the correct kind! Ethernet cables are also available for purchase in the College Book Store. 

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What if I don't know how to install the Ethernet card?

If you purchased a network card from the College Book Store and you are not sure how to install it, you may bring your computer to the Technology Support Center and we can install the card for you.  You may bring the computer (just the CPU box, we don't need keyboard/mice/monitors/speakers/etc), the Ethernet card you purchased and its driver disk/CD, as well as your original operating system CD or restore CD (ie: Windows CD or MacOS CD). Installation time may vary, depending on how many students have asked us to install for them. Turnaround time is usually the next business day, but may take longer if complications arise or there is a backlog of computers.

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What software will I get with this connection?

SUNY Oswego provides software that is available for download for free from our web site.  Click here for details.

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What if I move to another residence hall?  

If you plan to move to another residence hall you will need to contact Residence Life and Housing and make sure they have updated your campus address. 

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May I set up a server in my room?

You can set up a server but you will have to refer to the Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy.  As of Fall 2003 the Network Acceptable Use Policy has been updated to include a few examples of activities that are not allowed -- but this does not list them all.  As of Fall 2003, connections originating from off campus to a ResNet connected computer are no longer allowed.

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Can I register additional computers?  

If you have more then one computer, you simply pay an additional connection fee per device, per semester.
 
If you wish to activate a 2nd computer and pay the connection fee for it, you will need to call the Technology Support Center at x3456 and provide them with your Ethernet Hardware Address. The auto registration system only handles registering a single computer in your name.  We have to enter a 2nd machine manually for you. 

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My roommate has a machine connected to the only Ethernet jack in the room. Does this mean I can't hook up mine?  

In some of the buildings, multiple ports in a room were not possible due to the lack of the number of data wires that existed in the building. We have solved this by providing hubs, which allow you and your roommate to share the connection. Hubs are provided in each Resident Hall room except for Hart, Johnson, Lonis/Mackin/Moreland (Hart, Johnson and Riggs both have two Ethernet ports in each room).

Hubs are now part of your room checkin/checkout process.  Please make sure they are in the room when you check in and check out, otherwise you may be charged by Residential Life and Housing for replacement.

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What is a hub and how does it work? (sometimes referred to as a "splitter")  

A Splitter is in computer networking terms, called a hub.  A hub splits the signal just as a phone splitter does however, there are electronic components in the hub that split the signal and tell it what to do.

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Why isn't it working?  

There are a few possibilities why your ResNet connection may not be working. The first step is to call the Technology Support Center at x3456.  They will attempt to troubleshoot your problem over the phone.  If they are unable to help you, a trouble ticket will be filed and they will escalate your problem to the next level.  The appropriate technician will then attempt to contact you. If you don't hear from us, there may be several possible reasons:

• Do you have Voicemail or an Answering Machine?
  • If you don't, we might have called to set up an appointment but couldn't reach you. If this is the case, you should try and contact us at x3456. 
• Did you check your CTS email account?
  • We may have sent you an email that says the problem has been resolved and you should be working now.  Email is the quickest way for us to get the large amount of trouble tickets we have at the beginning of the semester done.  It helps us provide faster and better service to you. 

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Why won't the ResNet Registration program let me register?

There are several reasons why you may not be able to register:

• Your campus email account hasn't been activated.
  • If you are unable to login using your CTS username and password, it could be because your account has not yet been activated. The Cisco Clean Access page will display a link to the email account activation page, which can be used to activate the account. If you have difficulties with the activation page, contact the Technology Support Center at x3456.
• You haven't paid the connection fee.
  • In order to use the auto registration system, you need to have accepted your college bill charges on MyOswego.  Once that payment has been accepted, you you must wait 24 hours for the payment to show up in the ResNet registration system.
• The ResNet registration system is down.
  • The ResNet registration system may be down for repairs at any given time.  We hope not to have it down at all, but it may require some maintenance that requires us to be shut off temporarily. When this happens, we will post information regarding the outage to our recorded Status Line at x5678.

If you are still having problems registering, please call the Technology Support Center at x3456.

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How can I obtain a refund?  

A refund for your ResNet connection fee is possible, depending on the circumstances.  We do not check to see if you are working correctly on the network. If we have not heard from you via the Technology Support Center within 1 (one) month of the first day of classes or 1 (one) month from the date you resigned up (if you have cancelled and want it again), we will assume that your ResNet connection is working correctly and no refund will be considered.  If you receive a refund for your ResNet connection, you will not be connected to ResNet again unless you pay the connection fee. 

To request a refund, please follow the procedure below:

• All troubleshooting procedures have been exhausted (ie: you called the Technology Support Center, have a trouble ticket filed, and one of our technicians worked on your problem). 
• You must stop by the Technology Support Center and fill out a refund request form.
• Refunds will not be allowed 1 (one) month after the first day of classes, or 1 (one) month from the date you resigned up (if you have cancelled and want it again). 

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