Network Connections 2007-2008

If you want an entire world of knowledge at your fingertips, you’ve come to the right place! Suffolk University now offers wireless communications in the residence halls, as well as a wired ethernet connection in each room.  Whether you choose wireless or a problem free connectivity, Residential Computing Services is here to make sure that you have problem free connectivity. This connectivity will provide you with access to all university computing resources, including on-line library card catalog systems, research databases, email and the World Wide Web. Students living at the Holiday Inn Boston Beacon Hill will have access to the hotel’s wireless internet connection and front desk printing.

The Computer Labs at 150 Tremont and 10 Somerset are open for the exclusive use of resident students, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The lab at 150 Tremont is equipped with 17 Pentium III based Windows XP computers, along with 3 G4 Macintosh systems, all with connections to the university network. The lab at 10 Somerset is equipped with 12 Pentium IV based Windows XP computers, along with 2 G4 Macintosh systems, all with connections to the university network. Each system is installed with a host of productivity software packages, Internet, and e-mail access to help students with their daily academic demands. Each student is assigned an e-mail account on the University’s e-mail server for his or her own personal use. Please refer to the following link for more info.
http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/email.html

System Requirements

If you plan to purchase a new computer for the upcoming school year please visit http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/2220.html, for discounts on both Dell and Apple computers.
If you are bringing your current computer, please ensure that your computer meets the following criteria:

Minimum requirements:
IBM compatible:
Windows XP operating system
256 MB of RAM
Pentium III 700 MHz or higher
with an available expansion slot.

Macintosh:
G4 or higher
512 MB of RAM
Power Mac

Recommended requirements:

IBM compatible:
Win XP operating system
512 MB of RAM
Pentium IV 2.8 GHz with an available expansion slot.

Macintosh:
OS 9 or higher
512 MB of RAM
IMAC, G4

Most new computers are sold with a pre-installed or built-in network card. If you need to purchase an Ethernet card for your computer to connect with the university network, they are available at the Office of Residential Computing. You may also purchase an Ethernet card from your local computer retailer. If you purchase an Ethernet card from a source other than Suffolk University, please note that it must be a “100BaseT” Ethernet card or it will not work on Suffolk’s network. The Ethernet card you need for your desktop computer will depend on the type of slot (PCI or ISA) available in your system.
For notebook computers, you must have a free PCMCIA slot available. For the PC platform, the following network cards are recommended:

Suffolk University offers free anti-virus software to all residence hall users through a site license– Symantec Anti-virus for PCs. All students living in the residence halls will be given a copy of Symantec Anti-Virus software to install on their computer. Residential Computing Services (RCS) mandates that you uninstall the program you are using and install the free anti-virus program the University provides.

IMPORTANT: You must uninstall your old anti-virus program before installing the Symantec anti-virus program.
Anti-virus programs are not enough to keep your computer virus free. People that make viruses are looking for vulnerabilities to take advantage of. Using anti-virus software is only the first step. Microsoft releases software patches often. Some are recommended and some are “critical” updates. Visit the Microsoft update site often and scan your computer for updates. If any “critical” updates are listed, make sure you install those immediately. If your machine is patched then your level of vulnerability is reduced. Always install critical updates. If an update requires you to reboot your computer, return to the Windows site to check for more critical updates. Continue this until you have installed every critical update. It may
take several times to complete. RCS does NOT recommend that you install any “driver updates” if listed. Please go to the manufacturer to get updated software for a component in your computer. You will receive your antivirus software when you move in. All students living in the residence halls with computers must register their machine with the Residential Computing Services. During this process, you will be given a CD (to be used exclusively by you) and you will sign out a CD with the AV Software on it. After completing the registration form, installing the AV Software, and returning the form and AV CD back to the Residential Computing Services, your port will be turned on (giving you access to the Internet). We ask that you immediately run the “Live Update” function of your new anti-virus software, once you
have Internet connectivity.

Network Services Group, Residential Computing
Network Connections Windows 2000 & XP

If you do not have an Ethernet card installed in your computer, please bring the system to Residential Computing. We will install a previously bought card or you may purchase one from us when you bring your system down. You do not need to bring your monitor, mouse or keyboard unless you have a special connection for these devices. If you have previously been on Suffolk’s Network and have not changed your configuration follow the steps below to gain a Network connection in your room:
• Turn on your computer, click on the START bar, and select RUN.
• In the dialog box, type cmd and click OK.
• At the DOS prompt, type ipconfig/all and hit enter
• Record the Physical Address, and type exit
• Click on the Start Button in the bottom left corner
• Click on Control Panel
• Click on “Local Area Connection”
• Highlight the network card, and select properties by clicking the right button on the mouse
• Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
• Select properties
• Make sure the following are Checked:
“Obtain an IP address automatically”
“Obtain DNS server address automatically”
• Click OK to close the TCP/IP window
• Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties window
Once you’re back at the desktop, right click on My Computer
• Select properties you to open the system properties window
• Select Computer Name tab, click on Change button to rename the computer
• Enter computer name– the name of the computer should be the first letter of your first name followed by your last name. If your name is longer than 15 characters, just put as much as will fit.
The workgroup should be “reshall”.

Note: If you do not have the TCP/IP protocol installed, or the name of your computer is not set, your computer is not configured properly; please bring it to Residential Computing for assistance.

Call Residential Computing or come to the office with:
Your computer Ethernet card’s physical address
Your room number
Your jack number (located on the telephone/Ethernet jack)
Personal information (Name, telephone number)

Once we have this information we will be able to turn on your Network connection within 24 hours. If your connection is not working within 48 hours of your request please call or come to the Residential Computing Office for assistance. We are located in the sub basement of 150 Tremont Street dorm building, in room SB05.

Before you are allowed to access the University computer network, you must register your computer with Residential Computing Services (RCS). RCS will be available at both 150 Tremont St. and Miller Hall during move-in weekend for registration. Although wireless communications will be available in the residence halls in the fall of ’07, registration is required in order that we may install a Suffolk University provided copy of Symantec anti-virus (please be advised that any existing anti-virus software will be removed).
We will also configure your computer to receive automatic updates of Microsoft critical patches.
If your computer has Windows XP installed it must be at service pack 2 or we will schedule an appointment at a later date to bring it up to SP2.

To verify that you are at SP2:
Click Start and right click on My Computer
 
If it is not at SP2:
Go to http://www.update.microsoft.com/
Click express and install updates

Please visit us at http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/6041.html, over the course of the summer for updated information regarding registration.

Contact Us

If you should have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

617-305-2507
rcs@suffolk.edu