Computers, Internet & Telephone

Telephone Service

Each residence student is provided with a phone for room-to-room communication, free local service and voice mail. Outside callers can contact students in residence by dialing 902-422-6011, and then a four-digit extension number. Long distance cards are available for purchase at the King's Co-Op Bookstore, or at many retail outlets.

Information is provided in your room next to your phone explaining how to set up and access the voice mail. You can also consult these instructions online. Please remember to do so upon moving in. If you have any further concerns or questions, or if your phone is not working, please inquire at the front desk of Alexandra Hall.

Internet Access

Every student in residence can gain direct access to the Internet through the university's local area network, under a service called "ResNet." This service is included in the cost of residence and all registered King's students receive an email account with their NetID.

You can bring your own computer, or you can purchase a computer and software at an educational discount (upon presenting valid ID) at Dalhousie's Personal Computer Purchase Centre (PCPC) behind the Killam Library.

Resnet users are prohibited from using their computer as a server, or from extending the campus network by the use of routers, hubs or wireless networks. All ResNet users must agree to abide by the University's Guide to Responsible Computing.

ResNet: Getting Started

You will need to know your banner number and Net ID before you can register for ResNet

What is my Banner number?

Your banner number is your Student Identification Number, the B00****** number that has been sent to you before arriving on campus.

What is my Net ID?

Returning Students:

  • Your Net ID is the username you had created the previous year, probably from one of the campus computer lab workstations. For example, if your email address is jsmith@dal.ca, then your Net ID portion would be the information to the left of the "@" sign, i.e. "jsmith."

New Students:

  1. New students who registered at home through the Internet and received a username and Dalhousie email account have a Net ID (your username is your Net ID, i.e. jsmith2 is your Net ID, if your email address is jsmith2@dal.ca )
  2. Students who have not registered previously :
    • To obtain your Net ID (or username) once on campus, you must go to one of the Computer Labs located in your residence (ask the front desk for the key and the location), or elsewhere on campus. You will need your current University ID card in hand for your student number (B00#)
    • At both LOGIN prompts, type "newuser" and hit enter key (leave password blank)
    • Type your date of birth using the format "yyyymmdd" i.e. 19900115
    • Read and follow all onscreen instructions

Your Net ID may contain a series of numbers and letters. For your university email address, the Net ID (username) will be followed by the extension @dal.ca, i.e. jsmith2@dal.ca

ResNet Activation
  1. During Check-In, obtain your ResNet cable (or bring your cable from last year) from the front desk at Alexandra Hall.
  2. Set up your computer and plug it into the wall port.
  3. Launch your internet browser (i.e. Mozilla Firefox), type in www.dal.ca and the ResNet page should be displayed. Any other page displayed indicates a problem with your Internet set-up and you must contact the front desk at Alexandra Hall to make an appointment for service.
  4. After reading the policy, click "Accept," which will bring you to the "ResNet Online Network Registration" page, where you will be prompted to complete the following:
    • Banner ID (your student number i.e. B00#)
    • Net ID (the first part of your University email address, i.e. jasmith@dal.ca , the Net ID being "jasmith")
  5. Click on Register System, and when completed, reboot (restart) your system.
  6. The system will have recognized your network card and have registered your computer in the ResNet system. If you have any difficulties, see the front desk at Alexandra Hall.

Purchasing a Network (Ethernet) Card

You can purchase a card from Hardware Services, Room B538, on the lower level of the Dalhousie Killiam Library. For technical support, see the front desk of Alexandra Hall.

RESTECH Program

If you wish to rent a computer, please phone PCPC at 902-494-2626 for information regarding the ResTech Program. PCPC is located in the lower level of Howe Hall, facing the Killam Library (at the back of building).

Cisco Clean Access

Due the number of machines with viruses, Dalhousie and the University of King's College found it necessary to implement the Cisco Clean Access system to check that machines are virus free and running an antivirus software program.

Cisco Clean Access software automatically detects, isolates and cleans infected or vulnerable devices that attempt to access the network. It identifies whether machines are compliant with "King's Security Policies" and allows access to tools to repair these vulnerabilities before permitting full access to the network. It is a windows-based system that checks to make sure the system is up-to-date with the proper security patches, as well checks for up-to-date Mcafee anti-virus scanner and runs Nessus scans on all operating systems for known vulnerabilities.

This implementation will allow for improved access to the internet, less chance of being infected by another resident and less chance of network outages that are caused by viruses.

Problems Connecting to the Internet

If your Internet connection is not working, report it as a maintenance issue to the front desk of Alexandra Hall. If the problem is specific to your computer, or is a software issue, contact the Dalhousie Computer Help Desk at 902-492-2376.

Computer Labs & Printing

Computer labs, which are linked to the ResNet high speed Internet system, are available for use in the King’s Library and in the Lower Level of Alexandra Hall. Printing is available from each of these computer labs for a nominal fee.