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CUTV Sharing Your ResNet Jack: Using Your CUTV Set Top Box and Your Computer With Your ResNet Service

These instructions are only for ResNet subscribers who are using CUTV with their television. Watching CUTV on a television requires you to connect your Set Top Box (STB) to your ResNet jack. Your computer needs to be connected to ResNet also if you want to work with it online. Two network devices needing a connection -- one network jack. What to do? Option One: Taking Turns Some users don't mind using their ResNet jack for one thing at a time. What this means is that you can only use your computer offline while watching TV. Similarly, you can't watch CUTV while working online, although you can still use your TV for watching DVDs or videos. If this trade-off works for you, all you need do is move the ResNet cable to the device you want to use (your computer or your STB). And you don't even need to read any further! Option Two: Use Both (with additional hardware) Other users may find that they need to have both devices connected to the network simultaneously. If this describes you, you'll need to use an Ethernet hub or switch to connect multiple devices to one ResNet jack. (You will need to purchase your own hub or switch. The CUTV service does not provide Ethernet switches or hubs.) You can also use a router, but routers require more expertise on your part. CUTV will not assist you with router configuration. Hubs and Switches -- Easy! Hubs and switches are devices which copy the network traffic on one port to other ports, and require no programming or configuration. Hubs copy all the traffic to all the ports, while switches have enough intelligence to sort the traffic to only the device that is requesting it. Either a switch or a hub can be plugged into the Resnet jack; cables from your computer and your STB plug into the switch or hub. No further configuration is necessary. Routers -- Smarter, but more complicated! Routers, on the other hand, are more complicated devices and do require configuration. If you choose to use a router, you are responsible for the correct configuration of it to work with CUTV and other ResNet network services. CUTV staff only provide support for connections directly from the jack to the STB, or through a hub or switch, not through a router. What to Get? The following devices have been used successfully with CUTV: Netgear FS605 switch Netgear GS605 switch Netgear EN104 hub Any Ethernet switch that supports multicast UDP packets should work. Prices are typically between $20 and $40. Switches are available from The Cornell Store, Campus Copy and Supply in Appel commons, and from local electronic retailers such as Best Buy. You will also need two Ethernet cables to connect the switch to your computer and to your STB. NOTE: Do not purchase the Lan Splitter, a triangular device sold by Radio Shack. It will not function properly with CUTV.

Other Topics General Information Subscribing to CUTV Managing Your Subscription CUTV Channel Guide TV Program Listings Installing CUTV on Your Computer Using CUTV on Your Computer Troubleshooting CUTV on Your Computer Setting up CUTV with Your Television Using CUTV with Your Television Troubleshooting CUTV with Your Television Frequently Asked Questions Terms & Conditions of CUTV Service ResNet Users: Sharing Your ResNet Jack Between a Computer and a TV (you are here) Download this information as a PDF file Cancelling Your CUTV Subscription Equipment Pickup & Return Locations

How Do I Put It Together?

1. Use the network cable that was provided in your residence hall room to connect the ResNet wall jack to the switch/hub.

It's important to use only the ResNet cable between the wall and the switch/hub. Some rooms are wired with a special configuration on the jack that may not work, or only work intermittently with a standard Ethernet cable. This can lead to hard-to-diagnose problems later.

When plugging the cable into the switch/hub, look to see if there is a special uplink port. ("Uplink" refers to the connection between the ResNet jack and the switch/hub.)

Some units (for example, the EN104 hub, pictured below) have one specific port that should be connected to the jack, and may have a button you'll need to set.

Other units (for example, the FS605, pictured below, and GS605 switches) have "auto reversing" ports, which means you can use any port for the connection to the wall jack.

2. Connect the computer to the switch/hub using one Ethernet cable and any open port.
   
   
3. Connect the STB to the switch/hub using another Ethernet cable and any other free port.
   
   
4. Connect the STB to your television (as described on our Setting Up CUTV with Your Television page).
   
   
5. Plug in the power cord that came with your switch/hub. The port lights should light up. When traffic is being passed (that is, information is being sent to either your computer or TV), the port lights will blink rapidly.