At IUB, where can I purchase an Ethernet cable?
Residential IT Services (RITS) has installed a proprietary Ethernet cable in all non-Greek campus housing that you must use to connect to the Internet. Therefore, campus housing residents do not need to purchase an Ethernet cable. For more, see In IUB or IUPUI campus housing, how do I get an Ethernet cable?
If you work in an IU-affiliated building or live in an IUB Greek house, you can buy an IU-specific cable at the Computer Connection in the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU). The cables are available in lengths from 6 to 20 feet, in both IU proprietary and standard (straight-through) configurations.
Faculty and staff can purchase IU-specific Ethernet cables by contacting the UITS Administration and Finance Office in Wrubel Computing Center at 812-856-5665. Both IU-proprietary and standard Ethernet cables are available, priced as follows:
- 15-foot cable for $8
- 30-foot cable for $13.25
Note: You must call ahead. For a departmental purchase, bring your departmental account number. All other purchases must be made with a check or the exact amount in cash.
Alternatively, if you have an IU account number, you can use the online form to place an order. Click Place Resale Order
and follow the on-screen instructions.
Residents in Greek housing can buy (by bursar billing only, no cash, checks, or credit cards) IU-specific Ethernet cables at the RITS office in Teter Hoffman 206. Prices are as follows:
- 15-foot cable for $15
If you need a cable longer than 15 feet to use in campus housing, you have two options:
- Purchase a straight-through cable
and an RJ45 coupler from a computer or electronics store. Attach one
side of the coupler to the end of the pre-installed IU cable, and plug
the straight-through cable into the other side of the coupler and into
your computer.
- Purchase an IU proprietary network cable of the desired length from a local computer or electronics store. Ask specifically for an IU wall cable; if you are not specific, you may receive a straight-through cable, which will not work. Once you have your longer cable, unplug the provided IU cable from the jack and plug in your new cable. Leave the pre-installed cable attached to the wall.
Note: For a reliable connection, do not exceed 50 feet of cable between the data jack in your room and your computer. The maximum distance a reliable signal will travel over Ethernet cable is about 300 feet, and each room on a floor is a different distance from the IU network switch.
Also see:
- What is GreekNet, and how can I get my Greek house connected to it?
- Information about the UITS facilities at Tenth and the Bypass at IUB
- For IUB, where can I find general and academic information online?
- What is UITS policy on computing accounts for IUB and IUPUI student organizations?
Last modified on May 27, 2008.






