Connecting to USCNet - Mac OS X

USCNet, USC's high-speed network, provides users with connectivity in academic and office buildings. Only faculty and staff may register computers (hosts) for use with USCNet.

What You'll Need Before Connecting
To gain access to USCNet, you'll need the following:

• USC username and password
• Ethernet card installed in your computer. This card provides the jack used to plug the cable into the computer. If your computer does not have an Ethernet card installed, refer to your Ethernet card's installation instructions before proceeding.
• RJ45 network cable

Determining Your MAC Address/Ethernet Address
Registering Your MAC Address/Ethernet Address
Configuring Your Network Preferences
Getting Help

Determining Your MAC Address/Ethernet Address
You must register the Media Access Control (MAC) address/Ethernet address of your Ethernet card before you will be able to use USCNet. Every Ethernet card has a unique number assigned when it is manufactured.

Follow the steps below to determine your MAC address/Ethernet address:

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
   Result: The System Preferences window appears (see Figure 1).
   

   
   Figure 1: System Preferences Window OS 10.3

2. Click Network.
   Result: The Network window appears (see Figure 2).


Figure 2: Network Window OS 10.3

3. Under Show, select your Ethernet card from the dropdown menu. If you have multiple Ethernet cards installed on your machine, select the Ethernet card you will be using to connect to USCNet.
4. If you are using Mac OS 10.2.x or below, your Macintosh's Ethernet address will be listed in the lower, left-hand portion of the Network window in the field that bears the same name. If you are using Mac OS 10.3 you'll find your Ethernet address under the Ethernet tab.
5. Write this number down. You will need it to register.

Registering Your MAC Address/Ethernet Address
You can register your MAC address/Ethernet address online using the Registering for USCNet form. After the address is registered, ITS assigns it a unique IP (Internet Protocol) Address and Internet Name (hostname).

Configuring Your Network Preferences

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
   Result: The System Preferences window appears (see Figure 3).
   

   
   Figure 3: System Preferences Window

2. Click the Network icon.
   Result: The Network window appears (see Figure 4).

   
   Figure 4: Network Window

3. If settings appear to be grayed out, you will need to authorize yourself as an Administrator. To do so, click the Lock icon at the bottom left of the Network window.
   Result: The Authenticate window appears (see Figure 5).

   
   Figure 5: Authenticate Window

4. Type an Administrator username and password. If you are not an Administrator of the machine, you will need to have one unlock the Network preferences for you.
5. Once you've successfully unlocked the Network preferences, they will appear in black. You can now continue with the configuration.
   
6. Open the Network window. Select your Ethernet card from the Show dropdown menu.
7. Click the TCP/IP tab.
   Result: TCP/IP settings will appear (see Figure 6).
8. Under the Configure dropdown menu, select Using DHCP.
9. Click the Apply Now button in the lower right-hand corner of the Network Preferences window.
10. Close the System Preferences window.
    

    
    Figure 6: TCP/IP Settings

You can now plug your computer into an Ethernet jack. Test your connection by opening up an Internet-based application (such as a web browser or an email client). If you have tried to connect before the machine was properly registered, you should unplug your machine from the jack for a few minutes, restart your machine, and try connecting again.

Getting Help
To get help with your USCNet connection, contact the Customer Support Center at (213) 740-5555 or consult@usc.edu.

Last updated: Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 11:48AM PDT