ResNet | University of Wisconsin-Madison

ResNet uses a registration process called NetReg to authenticate users on the network. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about this process.

Visitors and guests staying in University Housing who are not eligible for a campus NetID can visit our online form to request temporary access.

What is NetReg?

Network Registration, or NetReg for short, is a system that requires residents to authenticate before accessing the ResNet network. The system requires an active NetID, click here for information on activating your NetID. NetReg works by allowing limited access to the network until a successful NetID login has been completed. The authentication process happens the first time a user connects to ResNet*. The process works by automatically directing users to a login page when they first connect and type in a web site. After registering, users will no longer be redirected to a registration page and will have full access to the campus network and Internet.

Your authentication is set to expire every 120 days at which time you will need to re-register your computer. This is done so that we can purge our database of old registrations that are no longer in use, and by redirecting you to our NetReg registration pages it also serves as a friendly reminder to make sure that your computer is fully patched and protected by a firewall and anti-virus software.

*Users who purchase new computers or network interface cards after authenticating with NetReg will need to re-authenticate.

Why do I need to register?

Until a resident registers, he or she will be unable to access the Internet. This includes campus web pages and resources (like WiscMail). The registration process is an effort by University Housing to ensure that there is no ambiguity as to which individual is connected to which port on the network. Registering your computer on ResNet is similar to registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Just as every car needs a license plate, every computer needs a NetID. This is important in helping provide better customer service and network support for each user.

How will this affect me?

Registering will be a quick and automatic process. After registering, users will not notice any NetReg-specific differences from a network that does not use registration. However, by registering, users are making themselves responsible for their network connections. This means that network connections that violate the Appropriate Use Policy will have a NetID associated with them, and therefore, a resident. As a result, residents will need to ensure that their computers are protected from viruses and that they are accepting responsibility for the actions of any guests who use their computers. This includes the illegal transferring of copyrighted information.

How do I register a computer?

* Web page must not be a cached or local file. (i.e. a page other than your home page)

If you encounter problems during any of these steps, record any error messages seen on the NetReg web page and call the ResNet help line at 262-8703 and press option #1.

How do I register with a router, switch, hub, or wireless access point?

Routers or wireless access points: If you are registering behind a router you will need to reboot both the router and the computer when the registration process instructs. This will register the router and allow access to anything that connects to ResNet through it. If you decide at one time to plug your computer into the ResNet data jack without the router, you will need to register the computer through the normal process.

Note: Any computers connected to ResNet through your router or wireless access point are your responsibility. For example, if a computer in the room next door connects through your wireless router to ResNet and becomes infected with a virus, the router will be quarantined until the infected computer is cleaned. As a result, ResNet recommends that residents with wireless access points use some type of encryption or protection on their device like WEP.

Switch or Hub: If you are registering computers plugged into a switch or hub, you must register all devices separately. This means plug each device directly into a ResNet data jack. Once all computers are registered you may plug the switch back in to the jack and plug the computers back into the switch.

How do I register a device such as a game console?

Devices such as game consoles and TiVo's that need network access but do not have a web browser to access the normal NetReg registration page can be registered by visiting https://my.resnet.wisc.edu/. Log in using your NetID and click on the link for Game Console Self Registration.

ResNet Network Registration FAQ