Campus network changes may affect some home users

 

by Michael Quan

IST has announced that on July 1, 2006, it will implement a configuration change that will restrict access to the campus domain name servers. These servers act as directories that allow computers on the network to locate other computers on the Internet. This change is to improve network security.

Does this change affect you?

Only a small number of uses will be affected by this change. Users on campus and users who dial into the campus modems will notice no change.

If you have a high-speed ("broadband") Internet connection (DSL or cable), you will not be affected as long as your computer is not configured to use the campus name servers. If you configured your home computer using directions or software provided by your Intenet service provider, you should not experience problems.

However, if your network settings refer to the campus name servers, you will experience problems accessing the Internet. These problems may manifest itself as an error such as "Host name cannot be found" when using a web browser or email client.

For instance, if in Internet Explorer you type in the URL http://www.berkeley.edu/ and get a "Cannot find server or DNS Error" on your home computer, you likely have misconfigured network settings. If you receive such an error message, do the following:

  1. Ensure your cable or DSL modem is working properly. Check the cable connections. Then switch the modem off, wait a minute or so, and turn it on again.
  2. Go to network settings on your computer and make sure your Domain Name Server (DNS) settings do not have 128.32.136.9, 128.32.136.12, 128.32.206.9, or 128.32.206.12 in the information field. (Those numbers are the Internet addresses for the campus name servers.)

Below are instructions (taken from Access to caching DNS servers to be restricted):

Mac OS X

  1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
  2. Click the Network button.
  3. From the Show menu select your network interface (Ethernet or wireless, for example).
  4. Click the TCP/IP button.
  5. Check the DNS Servers box—make sure the box is blank.

Windows XP

  1. From the Start menu select Control Panel.
  2. Right-click on your network connection and select Properties.
  3. Double-click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
  4. Make sure that the Obtain DNS server address automatically is selected

If these instructions do not help you, you may wish to contact your home broadband provider for assistance.

Updater: Michael Quan. Last reviewed: June 22, 2006