With my Mac OS X computer, what hardware do I need to make an Ethernet connection?

Note: This document describes the hardware involved in making an Ethernet connection. If you are trying to configure your network software, see At IUB or IUPUI, in Mac OS X, how can I manually configure my computer to connect to the network?

To find out if you have the necessary hardware to make an Ethernet connection with your Mac OS or Mac OS X computer:

1. Determine if your computer is equipped with Ethernet. To find out, see Apple's Tech Specs page. If your computer is not equipped with Ethernet, contact your campus Support Center for assistance.
   
   
2. Determine what kind of Ethernet port you have. On Mac OS X computers with built-in Ethernet, your Ethernet port will have an icon that looks something like this: <^...> The two most common kinds of ports are RJ-45 and AAUI-15. The earliest Macintoshes with built-in Ethernet have AAUI-15 ports only. Some older Power Macintoshes have both AAUI-15 and RJ-45 ports. Newer models have 10BASE-T, 10/100BASE-T, or Gigabit Ethernet with RJ-45 ports only. The RJ-45 port is similar to the jack you'll find on modern telephones. The AAUI-15 port has 15 pins in two rows, making it look vaguely like the <...> Ethernet symbol. If you have an Ethernet card instead of built-in Ethernet, the port or ports will be the same, but may not be identified by an Ethernet icon. Or you may have a different kind of port, such as 10BASE-2 Thin Coax, which will look something like a cable TV jack.
   
   
3. Determine how you are connecting to the network. The usual manner is through a wall data jack or a hub. If you are living in IU campus housing, your computer connects to the jack labeled "data" next to your phone jack. In campus departmental offices, your computer may be connected to a wall data jack or a switch or a hub. A wall data jack looks like a phone jack, but the jack is slightly larger. Switches and hubs come in various shapes and sizes, but typically come as a box with several connection jacks. A switch or hub can be connected either to the rest of the network or to another switch or hub.

   The exact method of connecting your computer to a switch or hub depends on the type of switch or hub you are using. Also, depending on what type of ports your computer and the switch or hub have, you may have to use a transceiver to make a connection. You can order a transceiver from any of the major Macintosh catalogs.

   If you are connecting to an IU wall data jack, whether in campus housing or in a campus department, you may need to obtain a special cable from UITS:

   • For a room or apartment in IU campus housing, you may need to get a special cable from the university:
     
     
     • IUPUI: In Ball Residence Hall and the Campus Apartments on the Riverwalk, you may use a commercial Ethernet cable.
       
       
     • Indiana University Bloomington: If you live in non-Greek campus housing, you will find an Ethernet cable attached to the wall data jack. IUB Greek housing residents may purchase an IU proprietary Ethernet cable; see At IUB, where can I purchase an Ethernet cable?
     
     
   • If you need a cable for any other on-campus location, contact the UITS Administration and Finance Office in Wrubel Computing Center at 812-856-5665 or 812-855-2260. The Finance Office sells IU-specific and standard Ethernet cables. A 15-foot cable costs $7.50, and a 30-foot cable is $12.50. You must call ahead, and when you go to purchase your cable, make sure you have ready either a check or the exact amount in cash. Alternatively, you can get a cable at the Computer Connection in the IMU; they are available in lengths from 6 to 20 feet, in both IU proprietary and standard (straight-through) configurations.

     If you have an RJ-45 port, you can connect the cable directly from your computer to the wall jack. Unless you get one of the newer blue reversible cables, make sure the end with the "wall" label is in the wall data jack and the other end is connected to your computer. If you have an AAUI-15, 10BASE-2, or other kind of port, you'll need to get a transceiver to connect your computer to the cable. Contact your departmental computing support provider.

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