Ohio University

Network registration associates a device's MAC address with an OHIO ID.  It does not install any tracking software, does not collect personal data, and does not grant the university access to the device or its hard drive.
 
The list of MAC addresses and OHIO IDs will be used by a limited number of authorized individuals in the following situations:
             

• Official investigations
• Network troubleshooting & configuration
  
• Security incident responses

A MAC address is a series of 6 number/letter pairs that uniquely identifies the network hardware inside a device. It usually looks something like:

01-23-45-67-89-AB or 01:23:45:67:89:AB 

Only the numbers 0-9 and letters A-F are used, so take care not to confuse a zero with the letter "O."

MAC addresses are set at the factory, one per network adapter.  If a device has more than one adapter, then it will have more than one MAC address.  For example, most laptops have two MAC addresses - one for Ethernet and one for wireless.

Because registration is tracked by MAC address, you might end up registering a laptop twice - once when you plug into Ethernet and once when you connect to our wireless.  This is normal.

Some manufacturers refer to a MAC address as a hardware address, burned-in address (BIA), or physical address.

How to find your MAC address (PDF) has instructions for many common operating systems and devices.   

Registering a device on our network is similar to signing in to a cable modem at home or a secure Internet hot spot at a business or another university.  Before a machine is allowed on our network, it must be registered to your OHIO ID to prove that it belongs to a current student, faculty, staff, or sponsored guest.  

No tracking software or agents are installed on your computer, and network registration does not allow any special access to your system.  

If your device is infected with a virus or has an open security hole in its operating system, then the network may place your device in quarantine and display a web page that will help you fix that problem.

The device can be registered using the Web Registration Tool.  To access the Web Registration Tool, you will need to use a web browser from a device that has access to the network.
 

If you see this page, it means that security scanning has determined that some action is required on your part for this device to continue to have network access. Follow the steps below:

• Write down the actions recommended in the “Reasons/Comments/Instructions” field.
• Click the Continue button 
• Agree to Computer and Network Use policy
  
• Once you see the confirmation that your device is registered, close the browser and reboot your device by turning the power off and then back on to begin using the network. 
• After rebooting, open a web browser and if the browser does not bring up your normal home page, please clear the browser cache and reload the web page.
• Make sure that you follow the recommended actions to continue to stay on the network.
  

Xbox registration instructions (PDF format)

Apple TV registration instructions (PDF format)

If your device has a static or reserved IP address that was assigned by OIT, then that device is already registered.  

If you wish to register a new device that requires a static address, please contact the Service Desk to request a reserved address.

Yes. You will be sent a reminder notification to renew your device.

• Students will be required to renew their registration at the beginning of each academic term.
  
• Faculty and Staff will be required to renew their registration once every year.
  

Faculty and staff who are responsible for large numbers of network devices (computer labs, large research installations, etc.) who do not wish to use the Web Registration Tool or the automated process can place a request with the OIT Service Desk at 740-593-1222 or www.ohio.edu/oitech to register those devices in bulk.  

You will need to have a list of MAC addresses and descriptions available when you contact the Service Desk.

No. Network registration does not install or require you to download any additional software on your device.