Network

The Jefferson Lab (JLab) Network group is part of the Computing and Networking Infrastructure (CNI) group.  Our Network group is responsible for providing networking resources to staff, users, and visitors. These resources are managed and maintained by CNI staff to ensure that the day to day networking needs of JLab are met.  If you have problems with networking at JLab, please contact the IT Division Help Desk for support.  You may also submit a Network Request for assistance with networking.

JLab Wired and Wireless Networks

JLab wired and wireless networks are separated into virtual local area networks (VLANs).  A VLAN separates devices into groups with a common set of requirements that communicate as if they were attached to the same broadcast domain regardless of their physical location.  Each JLab VLAN has a specific purpose, therefore, devices are placed on the VLAN that best fits their usage.  These VLANs include both wired and wireless networks.

All systems using a JLab VLAN should be configured to use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).  By setting your machine to use DHCP, an Internet Protocol (IP) address will be assigned to your machine automatically.  As long as your machine is registered in our database, it will always get the same IP address (with the exception of those devices on our guest network).

Machine/Device Registration

In order to connect to a JLab wired or wireless VLAN, you must register your device (desktop, laptop, server, printer, handheld, or other) through our network database.  This can be done by going to our Machine/Device Registration page.  The most important information we need from your device is the hardware address (media access control - MAC) of the device's network card.  The MAC address is six groups of two hexadecimal digits, separated by hyphens (-) or colons (:); example 01:23:45:67:89:ab.

For desktops and laptops, the MAC address can be pulled automatically if you're registering from the device.  Otherwise, you will need to enter the MAC address yourself.  If you are not registered in this database, then you cannot connect to our network(s).  Once your device is registered, you will be assigned an IP address automatically through the use of DHCP.

Since the JLab wired and wireless networks are VLANs, JLab network users are able to take advantage of automatic VLAN (auto-vlan) assignments.  As long as your machine is registered in our network database, you can plug into a wired port in the wall, or access available wireless networks, across the campus.  Our network auto-vlan assignment provides users with the flexibility of connecting their device(s) wherever they want and have it work as it normally would on the VLAN in which your device is assigned.

Wireless

The wireless network at JLab includes 50+ access points in various locations such as CEBAF Center, ARC, VARC, Counting House, Test Lab, and FEL.  Wireless is the preferred connection method for laptops and other handheld devices that move around on the site.  Our wireless network is susceptible to interference.  Please report any excessive problems to the IT Division Help Desk

Please visit our Wireless Network page for information on connecting to JLab's wireless network(s).

Accelerator Networks

The Acclerator site has it's own set of networks dedicated to the experimental program.  The CNI Network group does not manage these networks.  To gain access to the Accelerator networks, please submit a Acclerator Work Request (ACE-PR).

Wake-on-LAN Utility

If you need remote access to a sleeping computer, you may wake up any one of the computers registered to you, or search for a computer by hostname or IP address.  You are not able to wake up computers that are powered off, only those that are sleeping.  Please find a list of machines registered to you or search for another computer using this utility:

Wake-on-LAN

You will need to login using your current JLab username and password to access this website.  After clicking 'WAKE', your computer should be available within 15 seconds.

JLab Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The Computing and Networking Infrastructure (CNI) group has a Virtual Private Network (VPN) available for approved systems.  The VPN is accessible on-site and off-site.  When a client machine is connected to the VPN, all its network traffic passes through the VPN tunnel and appears on the Jefferson Lab (JLab) network.  Since the VPN connection puts your machine on the internal network, two-factor authentication and an approved system configuration are both required.

Please visit our JLab VPN Access page for more details on using the JLab VPN.  You will need to login using your current JLab username and password to access this website.