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The Newsletter of Whitman College's Technology Services August 2001 Edition

GETTING ON THE WHITMAN NETWORK

There are two main steps to take for becoming a part of the Whitman electronic community. First, activate your Marcus account. Here you receive your mail, can build your own homepage (if you wish), and access other information centers. The second step applies to students wishing to connect to the Whitman network and the Internet from their dorm rooms... so let’s go!

Activate your Marcus account

Marcus is the name for one of our most important computers on campus. This server handles virtually all email traffic on campus, holds over 2000 user accounts, provides hundreds of mailing lists for classes and groups, and gives every one of those users the ability to publish their own home pages on the internet. Because every student, faculty, and staff member of Whitman College has a Marcus account, we also use Marcus as an authentication tool for many of our other services on campus.

All students new to Whitman College this fall must activate their Marcus accounts before they can use them. The procedure is simple, but you will need your ID card and access to a working web browser, like Netscape or Internet Explorer. You will not be able to do this from your own computer in your dorm room! Please proceed to either the Olin or Maxey Lab to activate your account. In the web browser go to the following address:

http://wcts.whitman.edu/activate_account.html

Please read all of the information shown under the “Acceptable Use for Campus Network” heading. By activating your computer accounts, you agree to follow these rules and guidelines. At the bottom of the information, you will see 3 boxes where you must enter the following information (this is only used to verify your identity and help prevent malicious access to Marcus):

First Name Last Name
Datatel ID

Once you have entered the correct information in all 3 boxes, click on the button labeled

I Agree to the Above Statements

to submit your request. If your information is correct, a screen will appear that tells you your Marcus username and password and your dial-in password - keep them safe!

IMPORTANT: Make sure to close the web browser once you have noted your username and password!

If you are having trouble activating your computer account, contact the help desk at x4976, Monday-Friday, 8AM - 5PM.

Connect to the student network (ResNet)

You have the option to connect your computer to the campus network through a network wall outlet near your desk if you are living in any of the Whitman dormitories. In order to connect to the student network (ResNet), you will need the following:

• Hardware for a “twisted pair Ethernet connection” on your computer (also called 10-Base T). The Bookstore sells network cards and cables for most newer computers.
• Get a printed copy of the documentation from the Olin or Maxey Computer Labs or at the Technology Services office in Olin Hall.
• Activate your account on Marcus. (See step 1)
• Have a web browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer, or other) installed on your computer.

Outside the Technology Services office in Olin Hall you will find a bulletin board with the names and phone numbers of people who can help you with installation. If you run into a problem setting up your ResNet connection, please refer to this board to locate someone who can help. Whitman College Technology Services (WCTS) cannot provide support beyond the network outlet in the wall.

Once you have your network card and software installed and working, you should be all set to go!

One of the most common problems we encounter is Windows having a tough time giving up IP numbers. If you are not getting an IP number and you are sure everything else is set up properly (including the cable), try forcing Windows to get a number manually. Go to the Start button, then to Run... and type in winipcfg. Click on the Release All button and then the Renew All button and you are done.

Again, if you are having difficulties with your net connection, try the bulletin board outside of WCTS, check with your friends who have gotten it to work, try the Consultants at x5884 and x5899, or try the Help Desk at x4976.

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