DHCP Service at MIT

Overview

The DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Service lets you connect your computer to MITnet from a variety of sites on campus -- without reconfiguring your computer's network settings each time you move it to a new location.

MIT faculty, staff and students are eligible to use this service, as well as MIT visitors who are granted 14 days of access during a 12-month period, in increments of 1 - 5 days per visit.

Requirements

To register your device for DHCP service, you will need:

An Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) or a Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC)
The ethernet and wireless cards can be integrated (built-in) to your laptop, or be installed after purchase, according the manufacturer's instructions. If your computer has both an ethernet and wireless card, you can use both interfaces depending on your location and service availability. Both the ethernet and wireless card in your machine will need to be registered individually for DHCP service.

Register

There are two options. See Guidelines for DHCP registration before choosing an option.

• Option A: Register with an IP address:
  If you obtained an IP address and an MIT personal certificate, go to the Registering your computer form and follow the instructions.
  
  
• Option B: Register without an IP address:
  Start up your web browser and follow the on-screen instructions.

Option A: Register with an IP address (faculty and staff)

When you register your machine an IP address is assigned by IS&T. If you do not have a unique static IP address and you are faculty or staff, request one using this form.

You will need to have a personal MIT certificate on the computer you are registering. To get MIT certificates, go to Web Certificates at MIT.

1. Configure for a TCP/IP Ethernet Connection (i.e., enter your static IP address):
   Be sure to configure your machine to use a specific, assigned IP address. For instructions on how to configure, see:
   
   

Mac OS X

Windows



2. Register for DHCP Service:
   
   IP addresses are assigned to a subnet, which normally corresponds to a building. You must be in the campus location where your machine's unique IP address is assigned. You need to submit the DHCP registration form from the device that you are registering for DHCP service.
   
   Turn on your computer and connect to the network in your home subnet, then go to Dynamic Host Configuration at MIT.
   
   
3. Configure your computer for DHCP or Wireless connection.

Note: If you have two network interfaces on your computer, for example on a laptop with both wired and wireless network interfaces, please use Option B below to register the second interface for DHCP.

Option B: Register without an IP address (faculty, staff, students and visitors)
(Note: Faculty and staff should use this only for their secondary devices they use on MITnet.)

1. Start up your computer:
   
   Wired DHCP Service: Connect your laptop to an ethernet drop and turn it on.
   
   Wireless DHCP Service: Turn on your device. (For laptops, make sure the wireless card is enabled.) Confirm that you are located in a wireless zone.
   
   Note: Windows users should go to Preventing Reinfection During Cleanup of Your Windows Machine (instructions apply to non-infected machines as well) prior to proceeding.
   
   
2. Make sure your computer is set to obtain IP address automatically.
   
   
3. Start up your web browser.
   Result: The Welcome page displays. (picture)
   
   
4. Click on your status type.
   Result: Depending upon the status type, one of the following pages displays:
   
      -Faculty and staff
      -Students
      -Visitors
   
   
5. Read the instructions, then click Register.
   Result: Depending upon your status type, one of the following pages displays:
   
      -Faculty, Staff and Students
      -Visitors
   
   
6. Fill in the requested information, then click Register.
   Result: The Registration successfully completed page displays.

It will take approximately 15-30 minutes for the process to complete. Make sure you clear out your browser cache before attempting to connect via DHCP.

Please test your connection by visiting both an internal web site, e.g., web.mit.edu and an external site, e.g., cnn.com.

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Getting Help

If you experience any difficulties registering for DHCP Service, contact the Computing Help Desk.

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