Every network interface card (ethernet card, wireless card, etc) has a unique Physical Address, also known as a "MAC Address" or "Media Access Control address". Purdue IT can use the address for several security and convenience purposes, so we sometimes request it when a computer is connected to our network. Please use the following instructions to tell us your computer's physical address:
1) Press and hold the Windows key, then press the 'R' key and finally release the Windows key.
2) In the "Run" box, type "cmd" and press the "Enter" key.
3) In the black cmd.exe window that opens, type (or copy-paste) ipconfig /all | find /i " ad"
(the vertical line is typed by holding the "Shift" key while pressing \ (backslash) below the backspace)
4) Highlight all of the text that is produced with your mouse, press "Enter" to copy it, and paste it in an email to us. The extra information in that output helps us be sure that we get the correct physical address if you have multiple network cards.
Windows 11
In Windows 11, you can launch the Networking app and click the link "View your network properties" near the bottom middle of the screen. Clicking the Copy button at the bottom of this screen will copy the contents of that screen to the clipboard to email to us as needed.
This app can be accessed by
- right-mouse clicking on the Start button and selecting "Network Connections"
- pressing and holding the Windows key and then the letter X and selecting "Network Connections"
- clicking on the networking icon near the clock in the system tray and selecting "Network & Internet Settings"