Computing and Network Support

The Physics Network provides access to private resources (network servers and scientific equipment) in our department.

Most guests do not require access to these resources and only need network to connect to the internet. The UMass IT provides site-wide wireless access to the internet either through eduroam or through a guest network [UMASS]. Please, follow the instructions in the UMass IT site.

If you need access to the resources provided by the Physics Network, please submit a ticket in https://helpdesk.physics.umass.edu/ with topic Register New Node and inform us of the name of your host (faculty or staff) during your stay.

Open a ticket in https://helpdesk.physics.umass.edu/ with topic Register New Node.

If your machine will be itself a server for any kind of network service inside the Physics Network, please, inform that you require a fixed private IP address and a preferred hostname. Also make sure to inform us the location of your server (LGRT, LGRC, HAS, or PSB). If your machine is a scientific instrument, you will also need a fixed private IP. For wireless access, following the registration of your machine, you will be contacted with instructions on how to configure your WEP password.

Machines with public IP address are not encouraged and only in special circumstance we will provide this service. Most public network services are provided by UMass IT:

• E-mail
• Web hosting
• Blogs
• Cloud storage
• Authentication
• Class recording and streaming

If you have any question about these services provided by UMass IT, contact @email(link sends e-mail).

The MAC address is a number used by network adapters to uniquely identify themselves on a LAN; a MAC address is a 12-digit hexadecimal string and looks something like: 00:A0:23:C9:12:FF

Easy way: Click the Start Menu and then select All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. In the black window that pops up type: getmac  /v
look for your network adapter in the list and the physical address is the MAC number needed.

or

1. For Windows 7: Click the Start Menu and then select:
   All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information then go to step 3
2. For Windows 10: Click in search window and then type:
   System Information then go to step 3
3. Click on the + sign to the left of Components
4. Click on the + sign to the left of Network
5. Click on Adapter
   
   Scroll down to find your network adapter; note that many devices may be listed. It is important to find the correct device. The wireless network adapter is labeled wireless, but also look for something like the following example: Intel Pro10/100/1000 PCI Adapter.
   
   Approximately 15 lines below the adapter name is the MAC Address. The MAC address should contain 6 sets of HEX numbers for example: 00:A0:23:C9:12:FF

iPad and iPhone

1. Select Settings icon
2. From menu on the left, select General
3. Select About
4. Look for Wi-Fi address..this is your MAC address

Android:

1. Go to the Settings icon
2. Scroll down to About phone
3. Select Status
4. Scroll down until you see the Wi-Fi MAC address.

A MAC address should contain 6 sets of HEX numbers for example: 00:A0:23:C9:12:FF

1. at the toolbar at the bottom of the screen click on the System Preference icon
   or Open Finder click on Applications then double click on System Preferences
   or click on apple Icon in upper left corner click on System Preferences
2. then click on Network
3. in the Show pulldown menu select Build in Ethernet
4. for wireless choose Airport or Wireless Adaptor
5. in the center bar click on Ethernet the Ethernet ID displaeyed is the MAC address

1. login in as root
2. type ifconfig in a terminal window
3. all adaptors will be listed
4. eth0 is typically the hardware adapter and within the stats, listed is HWaddr, which is the MAC address

The UMass Physics Department uses OIT email services. UMass Physics department members who are Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students are entitled to an @physics email address.

To obtain and activate your Email account you must go to the "OIT Accounts" group in room A113 in the Lederle Graduate Research Center. This room is located in the low rise building. You must have a photo ID with you at the time you activate your account. Please state that you are a member of the Physics Department so that your Email address can be:

@email(link sends e-mail)

After your account is activated you should receive a booklet entitled: "Computing and Technology at UMass Amherst", if not, request one. It contains information on:

• What to do if you forget your password
• Where to download Anti-virus programs
• Location of computer classrooms
• Where to get information on setting up dial up access
• Help Services
• Where to download other software (browsers, ftp, ssh etc)
• Spire

It is a very useful booklet and it is strongly recommended that new users read it.

The Physics Network provides VPN connection for users that require access to their computer systems from outside the department.

To request access to a particular server, open a ticket in https://helpdesk.physics.umass.edu/ with the server's name and a list of users' NetId that require access to it.

In order to connect to the Physics Network VPN, follow the instructions in the UMass IT VPN site. When connecting, choose the realm Physics, and use your NetId and password for authentication.