Who Needs to Register a Device in the Host Database?

The Princeton University Host Database records certain information devices attached to the campus network.

Registration is required for nearly every device attached directly to OIT Ethernet or OIT Wireless service, or attached via any mechanism that bridges to OIT Ethernet service. See Which Devices Must be Registered in the Host Database?

For those devices that must be registered in the Host Database, the following sections explain who needs to register the device.

Once the device is registered, the Technical Contacts specified in the registration are responsible for keeping the Host Database entry current, updating it as necessary.

Has Someone Already Registered Your Device?

Dormnet Subscribers:

Host Database registration is accomplished by subscribing to Dormnet:

• You may use the Dormnet Subscription Form to subscribe to Dormnet.

• If your computer was ordered through the University's "Student Computing Initiative" (SCI) Program, OIT staff automatically subscribe your device to Dormnet.

• Entries that are still subscribed (i.e. haven't been unsubscribed) at the conclusion of each Dormnet Billing Period remain subscribed for the succeeding Dormnet Billing Period.

  For example, if you were still a subscriber at the end of one academic year, you will still be a subscriber during the Summer; if you are still a subscriber at the end of the Summer, you will still be a subscriber during the following academic year, and so on.

  You may terminate a subscription by disconnecting your device from the campus network (both wired and wireless) and completing the Unsubscribe from Dormnet Form; if later you wish to reconnect the device, complete the Dormnet Subscription Form.

Everyone Except Dormnet Subscribers:

• If OIT installed the basic system-level network connection software (which includes any necessary IP software) on your device at any time in the past, then at that time your computer may have been registered in the Host Database by OIT staff on your behalf. (You, or the person responsible for your device, would have received a piece of email confirming the registration at that time.)

• If you registered your device in the Host Database at any time in the past, you need not re-register it. (You received a piece of email confirming the registration at that time.)

• Otherwise you need to register your device in the Host Database.

Checking to See if your Device Has Been Registered in the Host Database

If you are not sure whether your device is currently registered, you can View the Host Database.

If viewing the Host Database indicates that no registration information is found, your device is not registered; you will need to register it.

If viewing the Host Database locates your device, then your device is already registered. You should not attempt to re-register it.

Dormnet Subscribers:

If viewing the Host Database locates your device, and its "Entry-Type" is listed as "HOST-INACTIVE" (or "PRINTER-INACTIVE" or "NAT-INACTIVE"), then your device is not currently subscribed to Dormnet. (The entry is "inactive.") When you subscribe to Dormnet, your device will be registered in the Host Database, and the entry will be made active.