By:Chloe Dawson (Whetstone Staff Writer)

A search was conducted of Malmberg Hall Jan. 21 to determine why there was no Internet connection.

Wesley’s IT department received a call that 30 rooms on the second floor were not able to get internet connection because someone had installed a Netgear wireless router, redirecting the access point for nearby devices.

“Every room was checked until they found the computer with the correct IP address that was on the router,” said Walter Beaupre, director of security.

Most students weren’t aware of the problem.

“I didn’t even know it was down,” said sophomore Will Seeley. “I was on all weekend.”

Freshman Misha Thomas, who lives on the second floor, did not lose her connection either.

“I don’t remember not having connection,” she said. “Sometimes our connection on the floor is iffy.”

The router started to distribute IP addresses that are registered to every Wesley student’s computer. An IP or MAC address is required to communicate with all Internet networks.

Wesley’s connection did not recognize any of the addresses to get connected with the network.

“It’s much easier with wireless sitting on the bed or a desk but it’s not a good idea,” said Jody Sweeney, director of IT.

Routers can disrupt and cause confusing problems with all of the different computers and networks on campus, he said. The Netgear router was installed incorrectly causing problems for many students.

“The student got the router back but with proper directions,” Beaupre said.