Faculty and Staff FAQs - Wired Network

How can our department connect to the Network?

CUMC Departments should contact the Information Systems or Information Technology group for their department. If you do not have one or if you are unsure if your department has an IT group, contact your business office. If you are supported by Information Resources' desktop group, please contact the Information Commons to put in a request.

If you still have questions or if you are unable to get your computer connected to the network, please contact the Information Commons help desk at extension 5-Help.

How do we get IP (network) Addresses?

Each system that connects to the CUMC network must be registered via the IP Request Form at our Online Support Center. This requires that you know the Hardware Address of the system that will be connecting (also known as a Physical, Ethernet or MAC address). This Hardware Address is unique to the computer's network interface card, or NIC, world-wide, and is how the computer will be recognized on the network.

How do we find the computer's Hardware address?

An Ethernet card hardware or adapter address (or MAC address) is a unique, 12-digit, hexadecimal (0-9, A-F) number that looks something like 0260.8C3B.7A21 or 02:60:8C:3B:7A:21 or 02-60-8C-3B-7A-21. Because it is unique, it is what identifies your computer on the network.

All computers, regardless of operating system, must be registered in order to be permitted access to the network. Users will be required to provide their computer's hardware address when registering.

On many Ethernet adapter cards, the hardware address is printed on a sticker located on the card itself. If the address is not printed on the card or on any of the documentation that came with the card or your computer, there are still ways to find the address.

For instructions on finding your computer's MAC address, select one of the links below.

Can I choose any IP Address?

No, you may not choose your own IP address. In fact, picking an IP Address has the potential to cause more harm than good. CORE Resources considers this "stealing of network resources" and will render your network card inoperable on the network. A Security Incident Report will be created and your computer will be found. A decision is then made as to whether your connection can be reactivated or if further action is to be taken against you.

The best thing to do is one of the following:

• Columbia University staff and faculty should contact the Information Systems or Information Technology group for their department. If you do not have one or if you are unsure if your department has an IT group, contact your business office.
• If you still have questions or if you are unable to get your computer connected to the network, you can contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help.

How long does it take to get my IP address?

It takes approximately 1 to 2 business days to get your IP address. When you register for your IP address, you will receive two emails: one immediately after registering to confirm that we received your request, and one informing you that the IP address has been assigned.

Should I request a manual IP address?

We recommend that you do not request a manual IP address (one that has to be configured within the computer's network settings). A dynamic (not manual) address is generally much easier to use, and allows for roaming if you have a laptop.

Do we need to buy anything?

Most modern PCs and Macintosh desktop computers and laptops already come configured with a built in Ethernet network card. If your computer came configured with a network card, you are all set. You will need to get a network cable (also known as Cat-5 or Category-5 cable) if one did not come with your computer.

How do we configure our computers?

Once you submit the Online Form for IP registration, you will receive an email that the request has been received. Within 1 to 2 full business days you should then receive an email that the request has been processed and your computer can connect after the specified time listed in the email.

Most computers are already configured to use a protocol called DHCP, which will allow them to automatically connect to the network once the IP request is completed. The email you receive will tell you if you need to set up your computer differently, or you can contact the Information Commons for assistance if your computer does not connect as it should according to the instructions.

Can we use our laptops anywhere?

Registered laptops may be used anywhere on campus and remote sites. If you only have wireless capabilities, your coverage area is much smaller. To find out the current locations of the CUMC Wireless Network, please see the list of wireless availability.

Where do we plug in?

Network cable data connection outlets should have an identifiable orange label on them. They are usually red or blue in color and look similar to a telephone connection.

Connecting an Ethernet network card to a telephone outlet can cause severe and irreparable damage to the card and/or your computer, please make sure you are putting the ethernet cable into the correct data port. A data port is slightly larger than a telephone port, and most ethernet cables will not easily fit into a telephone outlet.

Who assigns the IP addresses?

The group that manages the network for the entire CUMC and NYP campus, CORE Resources, assigns the IP addresses. Please remember that if you have any issues or questions regarding the campus network you must first contact the Information Commons.

All requests for IP addresses must go through the online form.

How can I transfer files over the network?

• You can email a file as an attachment from your Columbia email account - an email including its attachment can be up to 3MB if using CubMail, or up to 20MB if using an email program like Thunderbird or Outlook.
• You can use WinSCP (for PC) or Fugu (for Mac) to upload and download files from your space on the Columbia Cunix servers.
• If you are comfortable using a command line interface, you can also use an SSH program (Putty for PC or Terminal for Mac) to transfer to and from your Cunix account.

Keep in mind that there is typically a 40MB limit to your Cunix space.

Is the network secure?

While CORE Resources makes every attempt to make the network as secure as possible, you should be aware of the following facts:

• You should protect personal information such as email messages, banking transactions, any credit card transactions such as on-line retail and purchases, etc. Whenever possible, use encryption services provided by your software such as SSL (required for Columbia email accounts), PGP and S-MIME, among others.
• Wireless communication is subject to further security risks. The CUMC wireless networks that are managed by CORE require encryption, however other wireless networks you use may easily allow another person may be able to capture the data transmitted over the airwaves without your consent or knowledge. Make sure your communications are secure by using VPN or IPSec client software whenever appropriate.
• You should avoid opening patient email or other sensitive data with personally identifiable information from your wireless laptop or device without using VPN or IPSec client software. The network will enforce certain security policies by only accepting secure communications from wireless hosts.
• Secure communications to and from the Internet will not be enforced but you are encouraged to protect your identity and your data at all times.
• The wired local area network is inherently more secure since it is difficult for someone to get physical access to the media. Our switched networking environment makes it difficult for other users to capture data sent to or from your computer. However, you should be aware that it is not impossible.