Are you a UC Davis faculty member who uses an Internet connection during lectures? A staff person who uses the campus network while giving presentations in conference rooms? If you find yourself reconfiguring your network settings for each new room you encounter (and then again when you return to the office), you may want to simplify the process by registering with the campus DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. Read on to learn about this campus service and how to set up your laptop to access it.

In many UC Davis classrooms and conference rooms, laptop users may either use dynamic IP addresses (DHCP) or manually edit their TCP/IP settings to connect to the network. Each network access module (NAMs -- the "wall jack" for data connections) has an assigned Internet Protocol (IP) address that allows an attached device to be recognized on the network. The configuration of an IP address varies by operating system. Instructions for configuring your laptop are available at http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/instruct.html.

An IP address must be unique to each computer (or printer or server) on the network. Without DHCP, an address is permanently assigned (has a "static IP address") and not available to any other network device. The IP standard is used by everyone on the Internet, but the high demand and low supply for these addresses makes them a scarce resource. DHCP allows IP addresses to be assigned to a computer when it connects to the network and makes that IP address available to other devices when the network connection is terminated.

How do you configure a computer for DHCP? Are only laptops able to use this connection protocol? In many staff and faculty offices, both laptops and desktops can connect via DHCP, depending on how your department manages IP address space. Contact your department's technology support coordinator (TSC) for details about using DHCP at your desk.

Follow the steps below to connect your laptop to the network at public NAMs on campus.

1. Verify that a Network Interface Card (NIC) is installed in your computer and obtain an Ethernet cable. If you think you already have a NIC installed but are not sure, please check with your TSC. If you are utilizing a desktop network connection at the office, you almost certainly have a NIC installed.

2. Find your hardware address (a.k.a. MAC address). Instructions for this process are available at http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/instruct.html. (Note: Both IBM-compatible PCs and Macintosh computers have MAC addresses.)

3. Register your MAC/hardware address with the campus DHCP server at http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/instruct.html#register. You will need to enter your name, birth date, and employee ID number.

4. Edit your computer network settings for DHCP. Instructions for this process are available at http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/instruct.html.

5. Find a DHCP-enabled NAM, plug into the NAM, select DHCP as your connection method (if necessary) then RESTART your computer for the setting to take effect. You should now be able to connect to the campus network (the Internet and the Web). (See below for information on how to find a DHCP-enabled NAM.)

Once you have configured your computer for DHCP, you are ready to connect in classrooms or public buildings. Any campus affiliate can use the general campus NAMs located in the Memorial Union, Shields Library, Health Sciences Library, and Physical Sciences Library. If you are making a presentation in one of the 120 DHCP-enabled classrooms, you'll be ready to access the campus network. All classrooms with Smart Panels have NAMs that are DHCP-enabled. There are also "DHCP-enabled" labels affixed by each NAM in the classrooms without Smart Panels and in other public access locations. Go to http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/ to view a list of DHCP-enabled classrooms.

If your department uses the campus DHCP service, you will be able to connect at the office and in classrooms and conference rooms without modifying any of your computer settings (once you have configured your settings initially for DHCP). If you have a "static" IP address at the office, you will need to switch between DHCP and permanent IP address configurations when you connect outside of the office and then again when you return. Talk to your TSC about your department's situation.

For more information, you can attend one of the two DHCP Information Sessions in MU II on January 16 at 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information on the training sessions, email noc@ucdavis.edu.

For configuration instructions that are specific to your computer's operating system (e.g., Windows, Mac Open Transport, Unix), go to http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu/. If you encounter problems with DHCP, resources are available for more information and assistance:

Faculty: The Arbor, TSCs
Staff: TSCs, IT Express, or your Network Administrator
Students: IT Express (located in Shields library or 754-HELP), Learning Resource Centers (available to Residence Halls only)