How to Find the Adapter Address

An Adapter Address is sometimes referred to as a MAC, Ethernet Address, or Physical Address. This address is permanently stored on the network interface card (NIC) you will be using to connect to the network.

The method of locating the Adapter Address for a particular PC depends on the operating system being used.

Quick links:

• Windows Instructions
• MacOS Instructions
• Linux Instructions
• Further Assistance

Windows NT/2000/XP

1. Click on the start menu.
2. Click on the menu option labeled "Run"
3. In the space labeled "Open" on the window that appears, type: cmd and hit enter
   
4. A window will appear. In that window type: ipconfig /all
5. From the information displayed, locate the adapter you plan to use to connect to the network.

   Do not use the Adapter Address from the "PPP Adapter". If you do not see any other adapters in the list, then your ethernet card is not installed properly

6. Beside the words "Adapter Address" or "Physical Address" there is a series of numbers and letters. These make up the Adapter Address you will need to register.

   If your Adapter Address has a "-" between each set of numbers, when you enter these numbers into the registration page, replace the "-" with a ":"

   
   

Windows 95/98

1. Click on the start menu.
2. Click on the menu option labeled "Run"
3. In the space labeled "Open" on the window that appears, type: winipcfg and hit enter
4. A window will appear called "IP Configuration"
5. In this window, there is a pull-down menu. From this menu, select the adapter you plan to use to connect to the network.

   Do not select the "PPP Adapter". If you do not see any other adapters in this pull-down menu, then your ethernet card is not installed properly

6. Beside the words "Adapter Address" there is a series of numbers. These numbers make up the Adapter Address you will need to register.

   If your Adapter Address has a "-" between each set of numbers, when you enter these numbers into the registration page, replace the "-" with a ":"

MacOS X

1. Click on the Apple Menu
2. Click on System Preferences
3. Click on Network
4. Under Show select Airport if using wireless, Built-in Ethernet if using a wired connection.
   
5. Click on either the Airport or Ethernet tab, depending on your previous selection.
6. The Airport ID or Ethernet ID is the Adapter Address you need to register.
   

Mac OS 8/9

1. Click on the Apple menu
2. Click on Control Panels
3. Click on TCP/IP
4. Click the Info button at the bottom of the TCP/IP window. NOTE: If you don't see a button labeled Info, touch Command-U to change the User Mode to Advanced; this will cause the Info button to appear.
5. Beside the words Hardware address there is a series of numbers. These numbers make up the Adapter Address you will need to register.

Linux

1. At a system prompt, type: ifconfig -a
2. Several lines of information will be displayed. Locate the interface you plan to use for connecting to the network.
3. Locate the information for that interface that says: "HWaddr". This is the Adapter Address you will need to register.

If you still have trouble locating this information, contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 974-1222 for assistance.