University Computer Help Desk

Choosing a Nintendo Wii LAN adapter and determining its MAC address

Before you can connect your Nintendo Wii to ResNet, an RCC must determine the MAC address and request a ResNet NAC exception.

Before You Begin

Nintendo Wii game consoles do not come with built-in Ethernet adapters like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles. ResNet requires an Ethernet connection for game consoles (wireless for game consoles is unsupported), so you must use a USB LAN adapter if you want to connect your Nintendo Wii to ResNet.

If you purchase an official Nintendo Wii LAN adapter, it might automatically connect to ResNet when you plug it in. We recommend trying to connect your official Nintendo Wii LAN adapter on your own to see if you can get a working connection. Be sure to switch your connection type to Wired under the Connection Settings menu.

If you are unable to get a working network connection, you must determine the MAC address of the adapter so an exception can be provided to you. A Residential Computer Consultant (RCC) will help you do this. The RCC must then send a ResNet NAC exception request to Telecommunications & Networking so that access to ResNet can be granted to your Nintendo Wii.

For more information, refer to 1476: Overview of game consoles and ResNet.

Choosing a Nintendo Wii LAN Adapter

You can choose between the official Nintendo Wii LAN adapter or one made by a third-party manufacturer.

The University Computer Help Desk recommends the official Nintendo Wii LAN adapter because the MAC address is easily viewable and may offer a connection without needing the MAC address. You can purchase the official Nintendo Wii LAN adapter through the Nintendo online store.

If you purchase a third-party USB LAN adapter for your Nintendo Wii, it will not work automatically. You must request an exception and may need to take additional steps to see the MAC address for the Ethernet adapter. This can sometimes be difficult and may prolong the wait before you can request a ResNet NAC exception.

How to Determine the MAC Address

To determine the MAC address of your USB LAN adapter, do the following:

  1. From the Wii Channel menu, click the round Wii button in the lower-left corner of the screen.
  2. Click Wii Settings.
  3. Click Internet.
  4. Click Console Information.
  5. The MAC address of the USB LAN adapter is displayed.

An RCC must verify the adapter's MAC address for your Nintendo Wii. Once the RCC determines the MAC address, he or she will send a ResNet NAC exception request to Telecommunications & Networking.

My MAC Address is 00:00:00:00:00

If the MAC address for your USB LAN adapter is displayed as 00:00:00:00:00, you will need to take additional steps to determine the MAC address. A MAC address of all zeros is invalid and cannot be used on ResNet. This problem is most commonly associated with third-party USB LAN adapters.

Finding the MAC Address Using Windows 7/Vista

To find the MAC address of your Wii adapter using Windows, do the following:

  1. Plug your Wii LAN adapter into a USB port on your Windows PC.
  2. Wait for any drivers to install (they should be called Generic USB Ethernet Adapter).
  3. After installation, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
  4. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
  5. Scroll up until you find USB Ethernet Adapter.
  6. Write down the alphanumeric Physical Address that follows this format: XX-XX-XX-XX-XX.

An RCC must visually verify the MAC address before a ResNet NAC exception can be requested. The RCC will update your Incident with the MAC address of your Wii adapter and will assign the Incident to the TELECOM group. Telecommunications & Networking will then grant the exception, which will allow your Wii to access the network.

Alternative Method

Connect your Nintendo Wii and USB LAN adapter to a non-ResNet (non-NAC) Ethernet port. You will also need to connect the Wii to a TV. For example, the RCC who is assisting you may ask permission to take your Nintendo Wii and USB LAN adapter to a location on campus that does not use Cisco NAC. By plugging the Nintendo Wii and USB LAN adapter into an Ethernet port that does not use Cisco NAC, you can then go into Wii settings to determine the actual MAC address.

ResNet NAC Exception Request

If your Nintendo Wii LAN adapter is unable to connect to ResNet, you need to have an RCC submit a ResNet NAC exception request on your behalf. Before submitting this request, the RCC must visually verify the MAC address and must include that MAC address in the request.

To begin this process, contact the Help Desk at (309) 438-4357 or helpdesk@ilstu.edu. The Help Desk will create an Incident for your request and will send it to ResNet.

An RCC will contact you to schedule an appointment when he or she can visit you in your room to determine the MAC address for your Nintendo Wii's USB LAN adapter.

If the RCC finds that the MAC address is displayed as 00:00:00:00:00, then additional steps will need to be taken to find the real MAC address for the adapter (see above).

Once the MAC address has been determined, the RCC will update the Incident with the MAC address and will send it to Telecommunications & Networking so that the request can be approved.