Network setup for laptops

To connect your laptop to the network on campus you need a network card (usually integrated in your laptop) and a network cable. Plug one end of the network cable to your computer and the other end to a network plug in the wall.

If the feature is turned on on your laptop you will see some activity in the System Tray (see picture below):

The network plugs at NTNU use DHCP. That means the your computer receives the necessary addresses from a DHCP-server when you connect. Not all network plugs at campus is DHCP enabled. The plugs that are enabled usually have a little sticker which says DHCP.

The setup procedure

Enter Start->Settings->Network Connections. Double-click Local Area Connection, which has upside down T as its icon.

You will then see the this window:

Press the 'Properties'-button, select 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)' and press the 'Properties'-button.

The following boxes should be checked:

• Obtain an IP address automatically
• Obtain DNS server address automatically

Press 'OK' until you see the 'Local Area Connection Status' (see previous picture). If you don't have a network connection now, press Disable, and then Enable.

It does not work. What's wrong?

• Broken network cable.
• The cable is not properly plugged in.
• You have been disconnected due to missing security patches. More information about security at https://sikkerhet.ntnu.no.

Solution:

Enter Start-Settings->Network Connections. Double-click Local Area Connection. Mark the 'Show icon in notification area when connected'- checkbox, and press 'OK'. Now you can check in the System Tray if the network cable is properly connected or not.