1. What is the RESNET staff responsible for?
The RESNET staff will open the case of a students computer and show the student where and how to install the network interface card, if needed, and then configure the student's machine [operating system setup] to connect to the network.
2. What is the RESNET staff not responsible for?
The RESNET staff will not be responsible for handling or installing the actual network card or any damage to a student computer from the installation of said card. We are also not responsible for any changes made by a student that affects the network setup on a student machine.
3. Who do students call to setup RESNET or when there are problems?
For help setting up RESNET or to report problems please call the Helpdesk at 610-282-1100 Ext 4357 or send an e-mail to: helpdesk@desales.edu
4. Are there any charges associated with RESNET?
The charges for RESNET are as follows:
a) Students are not charged for using RESNET.
b) There will be a $50 per hour service charge, when requested by users, for problems determined NOT to be associated with University owned equipment, after the initial one and a half hour configuration period..
5. What are the responsibilities of the student?
Carefully read the RESNET acceptable use policy statement for the precise do's and don'ts.
6. What Do I Need To Bring With Me?
You should bring all software, hardware, information related to your computer with you to Desales. This includes manuals, install disks, cables, etc. If something should happen to your computer, you might need to re-install some of your programs and therefore need the original disks and license number for them.
7. What is an Ethernet card?
An Ethernet card allows you to connect to the Internet from on campus, like a modem is used to connect to the Internet from your home. With Ethernet cards, however, the connection is ready as soon as the computer is turned on. There is no need to dial an Internet Service Provider or tie up the phone line. Students will be able to use their connection to check E-mail, browse the WWW, etc., while talking on the phone.
8. I am coming to school with a computer I already own, and it doesn't have an Ethernet card. What kind of card should I buy?
Desales University recommends Linksys brand Ethernet cards for PC computers, though you are free to buy any brand that you choose. Any card purchased must be 10 or 10/100base-T and use an RJ45 twisted pair connection. All students will also need an RJ45 twisted pair cable to connect their card to their wall jack. We recommend that you purchase a long cable, in case your desk is far away from your jack.
9. Where can I buy an Ethernet card?
Ethernet cards can be purchased at any computer store or office supply store. If you buy yours after arriving on campus, you can also buy them at the Desales bookstore, along with the RJ45 twisted pair cable.
10. How do I install an Ethernet card?
Go to the how to page for complete installation instructions.
11. What does it mean when I get a notice that my computer is acting as an unapproved server?
This means that your computer is configured to allow other people from all over the Web to download information from your PC to theirs, these files are generally in the form of music, movies, pictures, or software. The programs responsible for this are Morpheus, KazaA, Napster, etc. To prevent your machine from acting as an unapproved server, you must go to the options of each of these programs and disable file sharing or set simultaneous uploads to 0, and turn off the program when you are not using it.
12. What happens if I violate the rules and regulations, as defined by the RESNET acceptable use policy?
First you will be warned that you have violated the RESNET rules and regulations. Should you violate the rules and regulations for a second time your connection will be turned off for one week. For a third infraction of RESNET rules your connection will be turned off for the rest of the semester. If this is a first semester violation your RESNET connection will be turned on for the beginning of the second semester. However if you commit just one violation during the second semester you will again be disconnected for the remainder of the semester, and there will be no refund of any fees. The ACC staff reserves the right to, at any time without warning, shutoff any RESNET connection that is deemed to be in excessive violation of RESNET policy.
If your computer is found on the network at any time after you have recieved a third violation notice your RESNET connection will be terminated for the rest of the school year!
13. Do RESNET violations carry over from the fall semester to the spring semester?
Any current RESNET subscriber who has one or more violations, of RESNET policy, will be placed back by one step of the disciplinary ladder. For example if you have had three violations during the fall semester you will have only two at the start of the spring semester, if you had two violations you will have one at the beginning of the semester, and if you had only one violation you will have none listed against you at the start of the spring semester.
14. Why am I required to have virus protection for my computer?
Virus protection is now more important than ever. There are over 66,000 known viruses, and this list grows every day. The virus types range from an annoyance to the ability to destroy all of the data on your hard drive. The reason that virus protection is a requirement is not just for the protection of your PC but for the protection of the entire network, because some of the latest viruses use huge amounts of network bandwidth to do what they are programmed to do. That means these viruses could possibly bring down not just the RESNET network but the University's network as well. Now if every computer has a current virus scanner with up to date virus definitions running we can stop a virus before it can do too much damage.
15. Where can I get an anti virus program?
There are a couple of ways to get an anti virus program for your PC. First is to buy one. The two best and most popular are Symantec's Norton Anti Virus and McAfee Anti Virus. These can be purchased at any software retailer or from the individual websites. The second option is to download a free virus scanner from the Internet. A good free virus scanner is Grisoft's AVG. This program can be downloaded from their web site: http://www.grisoft.com. There are other anti virus programs that will get the job done these just happen to be the three that we use or have used on campus.
16. Should I bring a laptop or a desktop?
We do not recommend one option over the other. The choice between laptop and desktop is a personal decision based on your individual computing needs.
You might prefer a laptop if...
You plan on taking advantage of the wireless Ethernet offered In Dooling Hall, The University Center, and Trexler Library.
You plan on studying in places other than your room (such as lounges or the library)
frequently.
You will be travelling frequently and want to take your computer with you.
You will have difficulty moving, storing, or shipping a desktop computer each
summer.
You would like a computer that can easily be put aside to free up desk space.
You might prefer a desktop if...
You plan on working with graphics or video frequently.
You are more comfortable viewing a large monitor.
You want the most "power" for your money.
You want added capability for future hardware upgrades.
17. Should I bring a PC or Macintosh computer?
Desales University is a "PC campus". All of the computers in the computer labs are PCs, as well
as most of faculty and staff computers. We do not mandate that all students purchase PCs, but your personal computer applications will be more compatible with the applications in the labs if you bring a PC. This is particularly important if you are relying on the labs for printouts. In addition, our staff is trained more in-depth on the PC platform and is therefore better able to assist PC users.
18. Will I Need My Own Printer?
Owning your own printer is not absolutely necessary. However, while there are laser printers available in the every computer lab, many students choose to purchase their own inkjet or laser printers for the convenience of printing in their rooms. Having your own printer alleviates any difficulties in printing from software or versions not available in the labs. Also, during rush times (i.e., midterms and finals), there can be long waits for a computer while many students try to complete and print out papers. In such situations, having a personal printer can be much more convenient. There are many inexpensive inkjet printers currently available.
19. Why isn't the link light on? What is a link light anyway?
Most Ethernet adapters or cards have a link light. This light, when solidly lit, means that your computer can see the link pulse from the hub. This usually means that there is a link between your computer and the network. Some adapters / cards combine the link light and the traffic light: if everything is working, the light will be solidly lit most of the time, but will blink when it sees "traffic" (or signals) on the network.
If you aren't getting any sign of a link light whatsoever:
The jack might not be working. You might have the cable plugged into the wrong jack on the wall outlet or the jack itself might be faulty. The easiest way to test this problem is to see if another computer can connect using the jack in question.
The Ethernet cable you are using might be bad. Make sure both ends of the cable are firmly plugged in and are in good shape (i.e. there are no cracks in the plastic, no bent pins, etc.). The easiest way to test this problem is to swap it with a know working Ethernet cable and see if this solves the problem.
If you installed your own Ethernet hardware, you also may not be getting a link light because the Ethernet hardware is not installed correctly. Most computers require the installation of special software (called drivers) that enable the computer and the new hardware to communicate with one another. These driver should be on a diskette or cd that came with your ethernet card. If you do not have this diskette but did buy one of our recommended cards, we can loan you or make a copy of whatever driver diskettes you may need.
With a Windows computers, the computer should attempt to install the drivers for the Ethernet card the first time it boots up after the Ethernet card has been installed. If it does not try to install drivers for the card, the Ethernet card may not be firmly inserted into its expansion slot or you may need to tell the computer to find the new hardware manually (by visiting the Add New Hardware control panel).
20. The link light is on, but I still can't get any network applications to work. What's wrong?
The link light tells you that your computer can see the link pulse from the network, but a complete connection requires that the network sees the link pulse from the computer too. If you can, swap in an Ethernet cable that you know is working. If that doesn't help, contact the Help Desk about checking your connection.
21. Are there minimum requirements for a computer to work on RESNET?
You will need an Ethernet card, and a computer that can handle networking. Please see the Recommended Systems for Campus Use page for more information.
22. Can I get help setting up my computer?
Yes. The day that freshmen move in there will be at least one person in each residence hall to provide assistance in getting a computer connected to the network. For help at any other time please call the helpdesk at 610-282-1100 Ext 4357 to get help connecting your computer.
23. Can I monitor my bandwidth usage?
Yes. Download the free NetMeter bandwidth usage tool here.
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Acceptable Use of RESNET
