Network Connectivity at the College of Education

The UIUC network allows users to surf the World Wide Web and access local UIUC network resources, such as campus e-mail or the College file servers. With fast broadband speeds, users are able to view streaming media from the Internet or store large multimedia files on the local servers at speeds more than 100 times faster than dial-up connections. Users are able to connect to the UIUC network through wired or wireless connections.

Wired Connectivity

Approximately August, 2002, the College of Education upgraded the network hardware and wiring in the Education Building. The new infrastructure means faster, more reliable connections.

All classrooms at the College of Education have some data jacks for direct connections—some more than others. Our technology flagship classroom, room 22, has enough network jacks to accommodate the connectivity needs of a full class.

To connect to the network, users will need an ethernet card and ethernet "straight-thru" cable. For 100Mb/s and faster, you will need at least a CAT5 cable, preferrably a CAT6 cable. Users will also need to set their machine to obtain an IP address automatically via DHCP. For more information or to request support, please visit User Services in room 1 or call 244-6053.

Wireless Connectivity

During the infancy of wireless technology, the College of Education provided instructors with mobile labs using laptops and an "on-cart" wireless access point. Now, after taking part in the CITES Wireless Beta Project, the College of Education is one of the first and few buildings on campus that has full building-wide wireless infrastructure in place.

While most rooms in the building are covered by the wireless infrastructure, the wireless infrastructure was designed with emphasis on the classrooms for better reliability during heavy usage.

To connect to the CITES UIUCnet Wireless network, users will need an 802.11b wireless card, VPN software, and a valid UIUC NetID/Password. For walk-in support, the Instructional Computing Lab (ICL) in room 15/17 and ECM in room 1 are open to all users for VPN software installation and setup assistance.

Faculty and staff may call or visit User Services (244-6053, room 1 Ed Bldg) for more information or to request support. CITES also supports the UIUCnet Wireless Service directly from the CITES Help Desk at 244-7000.

The official CITES UIUCnet Wireless page contains more detailed setup information.

http://www.cites.uiuc.edu/wireless

Network File and Print Services

Centralized network file and print services provide users more ways to share resources and collaborate with each other.

Files Services

The College of Education 's robust network file storage system enables College users to securely access shared network files locally on the UIUC network or remotely from the Internet. Security permissions are used to restrict file access and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data. For added security, many of the critical network file space at the College are backed up on a regular basis and can be restored upon request.

Some of the common uses of server-based file space include the following:

• Personal storage space for your working documents.
• Group storage space for working documents which multiple people need access to (Group Collaboration) and/or for working documents that are critical to preserving institutional memory such as committee work, or other recurring activities (e.g., convocation, awards, applications, etc.).
• Large, temporary storage space for processing digital media.
• Distribution point for software including updates, and drivers

Requests for file space or changes in file access permissions and other requests or enquiries, please contact the User Services at 244-6053.

Network Printing

Rather than a department buying a printer for each individual user, departments can purchase a network enabled printer to share on the network through our print server. This service greatly simplifies for the end user the task of finding and installing the printer on a computer, maximizes the utility of the printer—all while minimizing the cost of printer maintenance and administration.

For printer recommendations or to inquire about networking a printer, please call the User Services at 244-6053.