Before you get started

• This document contains a summary of directions for configuring a Windows Vista Computer's Ethernet adapter and its wireless network adapter (laptop computers).
• If your Windows Vista computer has been connected to some other network (e.g., at another college, at an office, etc.) via Ethernet adapter or modem in the past, you need to follow the directions listed below. Therefore, read and review them before proceeding to The Network Page.
• If you have used your computer on a home network, you may have turned on Internet Connection Sharing. Before using your computer on campus, you must make sure that Internet Connection Sharing is turned off for all network connections in your Control Panel. If you try to connect your computer to our network with Internet Connection Sharing enabled, your computer's network access will be turned off immediately. To avoid this problem, follow these directions.
• If your Windows Vista computer has an installed Ethernet adapter but has not yet been connected to a LAN (local network) and not yet been connected to the Internet via modem or Ethernet connection, it should work on UD's network without any other configuration. If your computer fits into this category, follow these directions.
• Make sure you follow the steps outlined at http://www.udel.edu/security to secure your computer against viruses, spyware, and other hazards.
• If you are a student and encounter any difficulties connecting to the University's network, contact the Residential Computing Consultants at (302) 831-8825. All University students, faculty and staff may contact the IT Help Center at (302) 831-6000 or consult@udel.edu for assistance with other computing problems.

Configuring Your Computer's Ethernet Adapter

1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel.
2. On the left side of the window, click Classic View.
3. Double-click the Network and Sharing Center icon.

   NOTE

   During the configuration process, Windows Vista will display a User Account Control window to confirm that you want to make changes. When you see this window, click Continue to continue the configuration process.

4. In the Sharing and Discovery section, make sure that all items listed are turned Off. Doing so will configure your computer so that no one can browse the contents of your computer over the campus network. If any of the items are set to On, click the down arrow to the right of the item, choose Turn Off, then click Apply. Repeat these steps for each item that is turned on.
5. On the left side of the window, choose Windows Firewall. Check to be sure that the computer's firewall is On. If it's off, choose Change Settings and follow the prompts to turn your computer's firewall on. Then close the Firewall window.
6. On the left side of the Network and Sharing Center window, choose Manage network connections.
7. Right-click the Local Area Connection icon and choose Properties. If a User Account Control window appears, click Continue.
8. On the Networking tab, choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click Properties.
9. Choose Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain a DNS server address automatically. Click OK.
10. Click the Sharing tab. Uncheck the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box. Doing so will configure your computer so that no one can browse the contents of your computer over the campus network.
11. Click Close to save these settings.

Configuring Your Computer's Wireless Network Adapter

1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel.
2. On the left side of the window, click Classic View.
3. Double-click the Network and Sharing Center icon.

   NOTE

   During the configuration process, Windows Vista will display a User Account Control window to confirm that you want to make changes. When you see this window, click Continue to continue the configuration process.

4. In the Sharing and Discovery section, make sure that all items listed are turned Off. Doing so will configure your computer so that no one can browse the contents of your computer over the campus network. If any of the items are set to On, click the down arrow to the right of the item, choose Turn Off, then click Apply. Repeat these steps for each item that is turned on.
5. On the left side of the window, choose Windows Firewall. Check to be sure that the computer's firewall is On. If it's off, choose Change Settings and follow the prompts to turn your computer's firewall on. Then close the Firewall window.
6. On the left side of the Network and Sharing Center window, select Manage network connections.
7. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon and choose Properties. If a User Account Control window appears, click Continue.
8. On the Networking tab, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
9. Choose Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain a DNS server address automatically. Click OK.
10. Click the Sharing tab. Uncheck the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.  Doing so will configure your computer so that no one can browse the contents of your computer over the campus network.
11. Click Close to save these settings.