USCNet, USC’s high-speed network, provides users with connectivity in academic and office buildings. Only USC faculty and staff members may register computers (hosts) for use with USCNet.

To connect to USCNet, you will need to determine your MAC address, register your MAC address, and then configure your network connection.

Determining Your MAC Address/Physical Address

You will need to register the Media Access Control (MAC) address/physical address of your Ethernet card before you will be able to use USCNet. Every Ethernet card has a unique number assigned when it is manufactured.

Follow the steps below to determine your MAC address/physical address:

1. From the Start menu, select Search.
2. In the Search box, type cmd. Press Enter.
3. Type getmac -v. Press Enter.
   Result: Your MAC address/physical address is listed as the physical address.
4. Write this number down. You will need it to register.

Some computers may have more than one Ethernet card/adapter, usually a wireless as well as a wired Ethernet card. If this is the case, use the MAC address/physical address listed under the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection (not wireless). For example: Physical address: 00-B0-E8-F7-AC-32.

Registering Your MAC Address/Physical Address

You can register your MAC address/physical address online using the Static IP Registration page or Dynamic IP Registration page. If you are uncertain whether you want to register your computer statically or dynamically, please contact the ITS Customer Support Center.

Configuring Your Network Connection

Follow the steps below to complete the setup:

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, locate the “View by:” drop-down menu and choose Large icons.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center.
4. From the left tasks list, select Change Adapter Settings .
5. Right-click Local Area Connection and click Properties. If you have not yet correctly configured your Ethernet card, you will not see an Local Area Connection icon.
6. From the User Account Control window, Click Continue to authorize the changes you want to make.
7. In the This connection uses the following items: box, make sure that Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) is the only item checked.
   
8. If Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) is not listed, you will need to install it.
1. Click Install.
2. Click Protocol, then Add.
3. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4). Click OK.
9. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
10. In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window, make certain that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected, and then click the Advanced button.
11. Click the DNS tab.
12. Click Append these DNS suffixes (in order). Click Add.
13. Type usc.edu. Then click Add.
14. Type hsc.usc.edu. Then click Add.
15. In the DNS suffix for this connection box, type usc.edu.
16. Uncheck the option marked Register this connection’s addresses in DNS.



17. Click the WINS tab.
18. Make sure that Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP is selected.



19. Click OK to close the Advanced TCP/IPv4 Settings window.
20. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) Properties window.
21. Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties window.

You can now plug your computer into an Ethernet jack. Test your connection by opening up an Internet-based application (such as a web browser or an email client). If you have tried to connect before the computer was properly registered, you should unplug your computer from the jack for a few minutes, restart your computer, and try connecting again.

Getting Help

To get help with your USCNet connection, contact the ITS Customer Support Center.