Many students have more than one network device (desktop, laptop, video game consoles, handheld devices, etc) they wish to use on the network simultaneously. However, ResNet only has enough available IP addresses to allow one network connection per student. So, you can either alternate which network device you currently have registered by editing Your Account (link on left sidebar) or you can use a network router.
A router is a network device allowing multiple computers, handheld devices and game consoles to communicate with each other and share a single connection to the Internet. They usually contain one uplink (WAN) jack and between 4 and 24 ethernet (LAN) jacks where network devices can be plugged in. By connecting a router in the correct way to ResNet, multiple network devices can share the same connection.
ResNet requires you to secure your wireless router to use it on ResNet. You must use wireless encryption, which encodes the data transmitted between your PC and your wireless router. Unfortunately, most routers ship with encryption turned off, leaving it completely exposed. Enable your router's encryption and use the strongest form supported by your comptuer. The Wireless Protected Access (WPA) protocol and more recent WPA2 have supplanted the older and less-secure Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP).
Also, make sure you change the default network name and password on your router. Doing so will make it much more difficult for hackers to break into your router and commandeer its settings.
Router Setup & Security Settings - These instruction are for a Linksys router but the settings are fairly generic from router brand to brand. Its just a matter of finding the same settings on your router.
Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the orange or green jack in your room, and the other into the WAN, Uplink, or Internet port of the router. Warning: It is very important you do NOT plug the cable into one of the regular LAN jacks on the router, as this will disable your network port. Connect your computer and other devices to the LAN ports on the router.
To get your connection working, you'll need to find and register the routers WAN or Uplink adapter address. This may be physically written somewhere on the router, or you may be able to find it in the router's web–based interface. Consult your router's manual for the best way to find the adapter address.
Once the router is registered, all network devices connected to the router will have access to the network.
