Dorm Required Hardware


There are two main pieces of hardware that you will need to be able to connect to the internet, besides a computer. One is a Network Interface Card and the other is an ethernet cable. If you have been on UTC's network in the past then you have everything that you need already, hardware wise. Most computers these days already come with everything you will need. However, some students still try to hook up the wrong stuff, so this section has to stay.

Network Interface Card

The first piece of hardware that you will need is called a Network Interface Card. These days most every computer you buy will come with one of these already built in. However, if you have an older computer then you will need to get one. These network cards can be bought at places like Best Buy, Circuit City, or Walmart and will run you about $15-$20. Everyone's network interface card will look different, but the jack on the card will look the same. Figure 1, below, shows an example of what the jack on the card will look like.

Network Card
Figure 1: Network Interface Card

This jack is where the next piece of hardware will plug in.

Ethernet Cable

The second piece of hardware is called an Ethernet Cable. They are not normally included with the network interface card or with new computers when they are bought. These can be purchased at the same places as the network interface cards and will run you about $15-$20, depending on length. It is a common mistake to mix an ethernet cable and a phone cable up. They look very similar with the only exception being the size of the plug. Figure 2, below, shows the difference between an ethernet cable and a phone cable.

Ethernet Cable
Figure 2: Ethernet Cable vs. Phone Cable

The cable will have the same plug on both ends. One end goes in the network card of the computer, Figure 1, and the other end will go in the wall network jack.

On To Step 2

Once you have all the required hardware, the next thing to do is to get all of the required software. This is all laid out in great detail on the Required Software page.