For when you want pure speed and are willing to fill in forms and plug into a wall.
Basics
To use the departmental wired network you will need a ethernet adaptor (usually built in) and a CAT5 or better cable to connect to an active network socket.
Your computer must be registered using this form. You'll need to know its MAC or hardware address, here are some instructions.
All sockets are listed here [Raven, cam only], with details about whether they're active or not. Wiring changes to make ports active can be requested on the same site.
The University has rules for what can be connected. In brief, devices must be secure and it must be possible to find out who is using a machine at a given time. This typically means using a separate username and password for each user.
Details
The public network
DNS suffix: .gen.cam.ac.uk
IP addresses: 131.111.46.1-255
CIDR: 131.111.46.0/24
Internet Access: Bi-directional with restrictions[camonly]
CUDN Access: Bi-directional with restrictions[camonly]
Departmental access: Bi-directional with no restrictions
The private network
DNS suffix: .gen.private.cam.ac.uk
IP addresses: 172.29.13.1-255, 172.29.16.1-255 (main dept) and 172.28.17.1-255 (EGL)
CIDR: 172.29.13.0/24 172.29.16.0/24 (main dept) and 172.28.17.0/24 (EGL)
Internet Access: Outgoing only, with restrictions[camonly]
CUDN Access: Bi-directional with restrictions[camonly]
Departmental access: Bi-directional with no restrictions
The SBS Bioinformatics network
DNS suffix: .bio.cam.ac.uk
IP addresses: 131.111.146.1-128 (Craik Marshall Building)
Internet Access: Bi-directional with restrictions[camonly]
CUDN Access: Bi-directional with restrictions[camonly]
Departmental access: Bi-directional with no restrictions
The DEPT network
The DEPT network is a special case. It's only visible by computers using the Genetics DNS servers (172.29.13.212 & 172.29.13.203) and it provides alternative names for computers. Their access rights depend on which of the networks above they also belong to. It exists as DNS is a way to provide information about where a computer should look for more than just other computers. In this case, computers can look up which server is responsible for password checking. In addition the servers for the DEPT network are in 172.29.13.208/29 which is less restricted.
Wiring
Network socket status for some regions of the building is visible on this page. If the area of the building you're in is not included you should just try it. If it doesn't work (and you have already registered and used the computer elsewhere) send a mail, including room and the network socket you wish to use.