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Windows 7 Ethernet/Wireless Configuration (Summary)

Networking > Windows 7 Ethernet/Wireless Configuration (Summary)

Setting Up Wired Ethernet

Photo of Ethernet and Telephone Cord Install your Ethernet card according to the manufacturer's directions. Connect your network cable to the ethernet card. Locate your Ethernet jack (it is typically located near your telephone jack but is slightly larger than the telephone jack) and plug in the other end of your network cable. If there are several ethernet jacks, try each one until you find the jack that is enabled. You can test your connection by running a network software program such as Internet Explorer.

Setting Up Wireless Ethernet

  1. Go to a location on campus where wireless networking is available. Check our coverage map for details.

  2. Install Your Wireless Ethernet Card according to the manufacturers directions.

  3. In order to obtain a secure wireless connection through Columbia U Secure, please use these online instructions.

    If you choose not to use a secure wireless connection, click Start, select Control Panel. Select Classic View from the menu of the left and then double-click on the Network and Sharing Center item. Select Manage network connections from the menu on the left. Right-click on the Wireless Network Connection item and then select Connect/Disconnect. A list of wireless access points appears. Select Columbia University and then click Connect.

Configure for DHCP


The default configuration that comes with the Operating System is the correct configuration for DHCP. To check this:
  1. Click Start then Control Panel. Once in Control Panel select Network and Internet and then from the following menu click on the Network and Sharing Center item.
  2. Select Change adapter settings from the menu on the left. Right-click on the Local Area Connection item and then select Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. Verify that under the General tab, Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected.

Releasing and Renewing your DHCP Lease


Your computer must have an IP (network) address appropriate to your location. If you move your computer from one location to another, you may need to release the current lease and request a new one.
  1. Click Start then Control Panel. Once in Control Panel select Network and Internet and then from the following menu click on the Network and Sharing Center item.
  2. Select Change adapter settings from the menu on the left. Right-click on the Local Area Connection item
  3. Click Disable to release your lease. Disabled is displayed in Local Area Connection. Double-click Local Area Connection to renew your lease. Enabled is displayed in Local Area Connection.