Residence Hall Tech Support

Students living in the residence halls may connect their own personal electronic device(s) to the Alverno network via wired Ethernet ports and/or wireless adapters.  In order to get connected, resident students will need to register their personal devices (wired and wireless).  Here’s how:

Ethernet Jack

• For a wired connection, verify that your device has an Ethernet port or an Ethernet adapter that plugs into a USB port. You will also need an Ethernet patch cable.
• Register your personal device on Alverno’s MyDevices Portal.
• Connect your device to the ethernet jack in your room using your patch cable or adapter.

Wireless

• Verify that your device has Wi-Fi capabilities.
• Register your personal device on Alverno’s MyDevices Portal.
• Connect your device to the AlvernoSTU wireless network.

AlvernoSPR

Many wireless devices are designed for use on a home network.  They do not have the capability to use security protocols that most enterprise networks require.  Alverno wireless uses the WPA2-Enterprise protocol.  Devices like SmartTVs, gaming devices (PlayStation, Xbox), and streaming devices (FireStick, Chromecast, Roku) do not support WPA2-Enterprise and will not connect to AlvernoSTU.  We’ve created a special resident device network to support “home” devices called AlvernoSPR.  This network is only for resident “home” devices that will not connect to AlvernoSTU.  This network is available in the residence halls and is restricted to Internet access only.

NOTES:

• You can register up to 5 devices in the MyDevices Portal.
• If you intend to use a device on the wireless network and on your room’s Ethernet jack, both adapter addresses must be registered and count as two of your five registrations.
• Non-registered personal devices will not be able to connect to residence hall ethernet jacks nor to any secure Alverno wireless network (e.g. AlvernoSTU).
• Alverno recommends wired connections over wireless where possible.  Wired connections are typically faster and more reliable.

Media Streaming, Game Consoles and Smart Devices

Many wireless devices are designed for use on a home network.  They do not have the capability to use security protocols that most enterprise networks require.  Alverno wireless uses theWPA2-Enterprise protocol.  Devices like SmartTVs, gaming devices (PlayStation, Xbox), and streaming devices (FireStick, Chromecast, Roku) do not support WPA2-Enterprise and will not connect to AlvernoSTU.  We’ve created a special resident device network to support “home” devices called AlvernoSPR.  This network is only for resident “home” devices that will not connect to AlvernoSTU.  This network is available in the residence halls and is restricted to Internet access only.

To register your media streaming/gaming devices, etc.:

1. Log into the Alverno Service Desk. Complete the Residence Hall AlvernoSPR Device Registration

• Choose Network Services > Wireless > Register Special Res Device
• Only register devices that are not capable of connecting to AlvernoSTU
• All fields on the form are required
• Device make, model and wireless MAC address are especially important
• Only devices with registered MAC addresses and the wireless network password will be able to connect to this network

2. Once the form is completed and the registration is setup, you will receive an email with the AlvernoSPR network password.

3. You will need to configure the AlvernoSPR network on each registered device. The network will only be available on access points in Austin Hall and on the Clare Hall residence floors.  Select WPA2 security, not WPA2-Enterprise or 802.1x EAP.  Enter the AlvernoSPR password.

4. Update the network password on each registered device when it is changed by Technology Services.

• The AlvernoSPR password will be changed twice a year. Password will change on the 3rd Thursday in January and August.
• Residents with active AlvernoSPR registered devices will receive an email with the new password and expiration date/time of the current password.
• Once the current password expires, registered devices will not connect until the new password is configured on these devices.

5. Returning residents can re-register their device(s) every August. You will have the opportunity to reply to an email by the Wednesday before the password change date to renew access.  Failure to reply by the deadline will result in having to re-request access by filling out a new Residence Hall AlvernoSPR Device Registration form.

To register your personal device addresses, follow these steps in order:

1. Determine the hardware address(es) of your device(s) wired Ethernet and/or wireless adapters.
   • For devices with a wired Ethernet port that you plug a network cable into, this address is usually known as a MAC address.
   • For wireless devices, this address is usually known as your Wi-Fi address.  See Determining your MAC or Wi-Fi address for instructions.
2. Write down the device name, MAC/Wi-Fi address, and a device description for each hardware address you want to register. For example, if you have a Dell laptop, your device name might be Jennifer’s laptop, and your device description might be Dell Inspiron 3000.
3. Go to the computer lab in your residence hall, and log into a computer with your Alverno username and password.
4. Open a browser and go to http://mydevices.alverno.edu. Complete the registration forms for each device you’d like to connect.  See Connecting Your Personal Devices to Alverno's Wireless Network for instructions.

Austin Hall and Clare Hall residents who connect their personal computers to the Alverno college network are required to install some type of antivirus software on their computers. Resident students are also required to install all Microsoft critical updates as they become available.

To protect yourself from viruses, Trojans, worms and other malicious programs that can infect your computer, Tech Services recommends installing antivirus and anti-malware software. Depending on your operating system (Windows or Mac OS), there are several antivirus and malware programs available either free or that can be purchased.

Tech Services uses Microsoft’s System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP) for all campus computers.

Recommended FREE antivirus/spyware/malware software for home use:

Another option for free antivirus software is to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Both Spectrum and AT&T currently provide free antivirus software.

Microsoft provides additional tips for protecting your personal computer from malicious software.  Please see http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/how-protect-pc-from-viruses for details.

Note:  For quick access press Windows Key + Pause Break.  This should display the computer’s system properties in any version of Windows.

Windows 10

1. Right-click the Windows Start button.  
2. Click System.
3. A new window will open and display your computer name, your Windows edition and system information.

Windows 8

1. Go to the Charm bar on the right
2. Click Settings
3. Click PC Info
4. Your computer name will be listed under "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings"

Windows 7

1. Right-click the Computer icon on your desktop and select Properties
2. If Using Windows XP, click the Computer Name tab
3. Your Computer Name is the "Full Computer Name"

Macintosh OS 10.x

1. Click on System Preferences on the dock
2. Click Sharing
3. Your Computer Name is in the "Computer Name" field