Wired Internet & MAC Addresses

Wired Internet & NAC

Some devices on campus require a physical, wired connection to the network. While many will be configured by a manager on campus, personally or individually managed devices (i.e. the computer you use at your desk or office) will need to be registered on the My Devices Portal in order to continue to access the internet.*
We call this initiative NAC (Network Admission Control), which will be in full effect starting April 19th, 2023.
This initiative is an effort by IT to further secure your internet experience and the UMass Lowell network.  

*Please be advised this will NOT affect your Wi-Fi connection or any device currently using Eduroam to access the internet.
If you have questions regarding your Wi-Fi connection, please refer to our Connecting to Wi-Fi page. 

How do I register my device?  

Great question! Follow these steps to register your device!

Navigate to the My Devices Portal Note: you must be on campus to access the My Devices Portal  Login with your UML credentials  Once logged in, this screen will ask you to enter the MAC address of your device. Your MAC address is a series of numbers associated with your device. It will appear as 6 sets of 2 combinations of letters and numbers. (Ex. a1:23:c4:5d:67:e8) Note: This number is different from your IP address number. Think of your IP number like your license plate number on your car and your MAC address like your car's VIN number.  For help finding your MAC address use the instructions for your device listed below  After entering the information about the device, click the Register button at the bottom to complete the setup.  Once your device is registered, you will see it in the list that appears on the screen. This is your "Manage Devices" page and you can return to this screen at any time by clicking the "Manage Devices" option from the left hand menu.

Step 1: My Devices Login Screen Step 3: Register a New Device Form Step 5: Manage My Devices Screen

If you would like to watch a video about how to register your device on the MyDevices portal, you can find one here! 

NAC FACTS:

When can I expect these changes to go into effect?
Device registration will be happening throughout the spring. During this time, IT will be posting information, meeting with departments, and traveling across campus to assist in the process. The requirement for all devices to be registered will go into effect on April 19th, 2023.

Will this effect how I connect my device to Wi-Fi? 
Nope! You will continue to connect to the Wi-Fi the same way you have been. This is only affecting devices that need a wired connection to operate. 


What about my printer? 
If your printer was acquired by the University (UMass Contract), your printer will be registered by an administrator. If you or you department bought your printer on your own or through department funds, you will have to locate the MAC address of that printer and register it through the My Devices Portal. If you need help locating the MAC address of your printer, we recommend searching "MAC address [printer brand and model number]" in order to find specific device directions.

What about my desk phone? 
If you have a desk phone, it will be registered by a voice services administrator.

Is there a limit to the number of devices I can register?  
Employee accounts can register up to 20 devices. If you need to register more than 20 devices, please contact Marcie Byrd at Marcie_Byrd@uml.edu

Does my registration expire?  
Yes. Your registration will expire each year in July, starting in 2024. You will not have to re-enter your MAC address, but you will have to confirm that you still have the device and it still needs access by confirming the previously entered information.

What about guests on campus? 
Guests will not be allowed on the wired network unless their device is sponsored by a UML employee. Meaning, if you are inviting a guest to campus, you will have to register their device's MAC address onto your My Devices portal page. Guests will still be able to use the wifi on campus, so we advise that unless necessary, you have guests connect to the wireless network.

What if I forget to register my device every year? 
Not to worry! The email address that you listed when you registered your device (presumably your UML email address) will get a notification when you should log back in a confirm all of your registered devices. If there is a device that you no longer need or no longer use, you can delete it from the portal as well.

What about the labs or classrooms that I teach in or use? 
All labs and classrooms will be registered by the personnel that manage those spaces. If you have questions about that space, please contact Marcie Byrd at Marcie_Byrd@uml.edu

Where can I find my MAC address? 

Some of your devices will require you to locate your MAC address on your device in order to connect to the internet.

Your MAC address is a unique code that is can identify a device on the network.  

Our most common devices are listed below.

Windows

Option 1: 

1. Connect your computer to your dock or network cable
2. Click Start > Search > Company Portal
3. Once the Company Portal opens, locate and click Get MAC. Click Install in the top-right.
4.  After the app installs, a shortcut will be created on your desktop.
5.  Double-click the icon then click Ok. The MAC address will be listed on your screen and copied to your clipboard.

Option 2: 

1. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click the network you would like to view the MAC address for.
3. Click Details.
4. The MAC address is listed under the Physical Address heading.
   
   

Option 3: 

1. Click Start > Search > CMD > Command Prompt.
2. Type getmac then hit enter on your keyboard.
3. The MAC address will be listed on the left.

Mac 

MacOS 12 and older: 

1. Select Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Click Network.
3. Click the network you would like to view the MAC address for.
4. Click Advanced. 
5. Click Hardware. 
6. The MAC address is listed below.

MacOS 13: 

1. Select Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Click Network.
3. Click Ethernet.
4. Click Details... in the top right corner. 
5. In the pop up that appears, click Hardware, located at the bottom of the left-hand column.  
6. The MAC address is listed at the top. 

Chrome OS

1. Sign in to your Chromebook.
2. Click the time (bottom right).
3. Click Network (left).
4. Click the network you would like to view the MAC address for.
5. The MAC address is listed below.

Linux

1. Open a terminal or console window.
2. Type ifconfig.
3. The MAC address is listed as HWaddr in the format of 12:34:56:78:AB.

Amazon Alexa

1. Download and install the Amazon Alexa app on your phone or computer.
2. Log in with an Amazon Account.
3. When prompted, connect to the Echo device Wi-Fi.
4. The MAC address will be listed under Echo Setup (bottom).

Google Home

1. Download and install the Google Home app on your mobile device.
2. Open the application and follow the prompts.
3. Tap the Menu (upper left).
4. Tap Devices, and then tap Google Home.
5. Tap Settings. The MAC Address is listed under Information.

For additional support, visit Google Home Help

Amazon Fire Stick/TV

1. Select Menu from the Home screen.

2. Select Settings > Device Info. The address appears in the Wi-Fi MAC Address field.

Apple TV

1. Select Settings > About. The address will be listed Ethernet ID (wired connection) or Wireless ID (wireless connection) depending on your preference.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

Roku

1. Select Settings > Network and then locate the Wireless MAC Address.

Nintendo Switch

1. Select the Menu and then select System Settings.
2. Select Internet Settings.
3. Select Other Information, and then select Confirm MAC Address to display the MAC address.

Playstation 5 

1. From the home screen, select Settings (gear icon) > System.
2. Select System Software > Console Information to display the MAC address.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

Playstation 4

1. Select the Menu and then select Settings.
2. Select System > System Information to display the MAC address.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

Playstation 3 

1. Select the Menu and then select Settings.
2. Select System Settings > System Information to display the MAC address.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

Wii

1. Plug the LAN Adapter into the USB port on your Wii.
2. Power on your Wii.
3. From the home screen, select the Wii button (lower left).
4. Select Wii Settings.
5. Select the right arrow and select Internet.
6. Select Console Information to display the MAC address.

Note: If the LAN Adapter MAC Address reads 00-00-00-00-00-00, consult your device manual to look up your MAC address on a computer.

Wii U

1. Select the Wii Umenu and then select System Settings.
2. Select Internet.
3. Select View MAC Address to display the MAC address

Xbox Series S or Series X

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
2. Select Profile & system > Settings.
3. Select General > Network settings.
4. Select Advancedsettings > IP Settings to display the MAC address.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

Xbox One

1. Select the Settings tile.
2. Select the Network tile.
3. Select Advanced Settings to display the MAC address.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

Xbox 360

1. Select the Settings tile.
2. Select the Network tile.
3. Select Advanced Settings to display the MAC address.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.

LIFX Lightbulb

The MAC address and serial number will be listed on the base of the LIFX bulb. For a bulb with serial number D07123456789, the MAC address would be D0:71:23:45:67:89.

Samsung TV

1. Select Network Settings > Network Status. The MAC Address is listed on the screen.

Note: This device supports both wired and wireless connections. Decide how you will connect before obtaining a MAC address, as addresses are based on connection type.