Be sure to get a copy of the ResTech Connections CD when you move in. The CD includes step-by-step instructions for hooking up your computer and getting connected to the Internet from your residence hall room or Northern View Community apartment using a wired or wireless connection. In addition, the CD includes invaluable information and links to university and community resources. Additional copies of the CD are available at the ResTech Helpdesk and ResTech computer labs.

Every room in the residence halls and each apartment in Northern View Community has at least one active 10BaseT Ethernet connection. Rooms in Lincoln, Douglas, and Neptune have one active connection for each resident. Residents of the halls and Northern View Community need their own computer, a 10BaseT or 10/100BaseT Ethernet card with RJ45 connector, and a CAT5e Ethernet cable to access the Internet. All other equipment will be provided by Housing and Dining.

Clean Access in the Residence Halls

Clean Access is an application that addresses your computer’s security vulnerabilities BEFORE you get online.

All students and staff living in the residence halls and Northern View Community and all visitors to the halls who are affiliated with NIU are required to use Clean Access to access both the wired and wireless network while in the halls.

You will need to log on to download Clean Access software using your NIU AccountID (Z-ID or administrative user name) and password after hooking up your computer according to the ResTech Connections CD.

NOTE: If you have never logged on with your Z-ID before, you will have only three grace logons! Change your password before you attempt to get online to avoid problems with the Clean Access process. Your initial password for your Z-ID will be your birth date in the following format: yyyymmdd

To change your password, see AccountID (Z-ID) and Password

Clean Access is configured to allow computers running Windows to get online ONLY IF they meet the following standards:

• Must have Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
  • Microsoft no longer supports older operating systems
  • OS and upgrades available at the NIU Bookstore through the Microsoft Campus Agreement or at local retailers
• Must have a legal version of the operating system (required by Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage Program)
• Must be running the version of McAfee antivirus software provided free by NIU www.students.niu.edu/provisioning

NOTE: Running more than one antivirus program on your computer can cause many problems. Please refer to the ResTech website for detailed instructions for removing programs that may cause problems restech.niu.edu

Clean Access does not require minimum standards for Mac or Linux computers.

Contact the ResTech Helpdesk for assistance with connecting gaming devices to the network.

Clean Access will “certify” all Windows computers:

• Automatically register your computer’s network card address
• Verify that your PC is patched and updated to be protected from security vulnerabilities
• Direct you to the Microsoft website for any necessary security downloads
• Enable Windows XP firewall
• Direct you to the NIU website to download the latest version of McAfee antivirus software provided free to all students
• Clean Access will register Mac and Linux network card address
• Clean Access is scheduled to re-certify personal Windows machines every 30 days at 5:00 a.m.
• Clean Access is scheduled to re-authenticate users and register Mac and Linux network card address every 30 days at 5:00 a.m.

If you are having problems with Clean Access or any of the services you believe you should be able to use in the residence halls, please contact the ResTech Helpdesk:
753-6267
Stevenson 110C
restech.niu.edu
restech@niu.edu

Students can use their own modem (56K or lower) to dial in to the Northern Illinois University network at 753-6600 from any of the residence halls or Northern View Community. See Configuring Your Computer for more information on connecting to NIU.

For more information on how the NIU network is managed to ensure adequate bandwidth for all customers, or to participate in discussions on network-related issues specific to residence hall customers, ITS provides the following online resources:
For general information about bandwidth utilization, visit go.et.niu.edu/netuse

For more detailed information about network management and how it impacts residence hall customers, and for information about how to subscribe to the ITSResNet Listserv, go to ITS ListServs

There is wireless access in every residence hall.

See Wireless Access.