Smith College Technology And Resource Adviser

USING THE SMITH NETWORK

Smith College maintains a campus-wide data network that provides high-speed access to resources both on and off campus. Virtually all parts of the campus, including all residence houses, have network access via wireless or wired connections. The Smith network provides access to a variety of Smith services, including:

Novell network file servers that can be used to store and share files
Web-based applications such as Smith Mail, Moodle, and BannerWeb
General Internet access

General information
Student information
Questions or comments

Note: For information about using and maintaining printers on the Smith network, please see our new Printing page.

General Information

Connecting a Wireless Device to the Smith Network NEW!
This document explains which types of wireless devices can be connected to the Smith wireless network and provides further information and instructions.

Wireless Computing on the Smith Campus
Smith provides wireless access points in most locations across campus, including the Libraries, the Science Center, the Campus Center, and most other academic and administrative buildings. Wireless service is also available to most rooms in all Smith residence houses. This document explains how to use the wireless network.

Using a Macintosh to Connect to Your Novell Network DATAVOL
Macintosh users must create a connection to their DATAVOL on the Novell network in order to access their home directory, dropbox, or shared drives. This document explains how to create a DATAVOL icon on your desktop, so you can easily connect to the network anytime.

Smith Software Download Site
Click here to log in to the Smith software download site. Smith students, faculty, and staff can use this site to download McAfee virus protection software and other useful applications.

Introduction to Smith's Novell Network
A network is a group of computers connected by electrical signals that are conveyed usually, but not always, over a cable or wire. Smith uses a Novell Netware network and fiber optic cables to connect the PCs, Macintosh computers, and network printers on campus to bigger machines called file servers. This document explains basic network terminology and operations.

Managing Files on the Smith Network
If you keep your computer files on your local hard drive (the C: drive) and floppies, they are not as safe as they are on the college's network drives. This document explains how to save your files on the Smith network, thereby ensuring that they are routinely backed up and protected from unauthorized access.

Backing Up Your Computer Files
All kinds of technology disasters can damage your computer files or make them inaccessible. But as long as you routinely "back up" your files (that is, save up-to-date copies in more than one location), your hard work will be protected. This document explains how to back up files using your network (H:) drive and/or portable storage devices such as CD-ROMs, jump drives, or DVDs.

Using Dropboxes to Exchange Files
When staff and faculty need to transfer a file to another employee at Smith, they can send it as an e-mail attachment (unless it is too large) or they can put it in the other person's dropbox. All staff and faculty have a personal dropbox on their server.

Choosing and Changing Passwords
Smith's connection to the Internet provides us all with access to the world, but it also provides hackers with a connection they can use to try to invade Smith systems. This document explains how to choose secure (non-intuitive) passwords and change those password periodically, so you can protect your accounts and all the systems on which you work.

Using Virtual Network Connection (VNC)
Virtual Network Connection (VNC) is a software application that allows you to give temporary permission to User Support to work with you remotely on your computer. VNC lets the USC staff member you are working with see what's happening on your computer desktop, so you can show us what you're trying to do, and we can show you the mouse and keyboard actions that will let you do it. This document explains how to set up and use VNC.

Student Information

Disabling Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing
Many students are unaware that their computers are sharing copyrighted files. Because of the functionality built into peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software such as Kazaa and LimeWire, copyrighted audio and video files on your computer may be available to others for downloading over the Internet without your knowledge or permission. This document explains how to disable or remove P2P software.

ResNet Minimum Requirements
ResNet provides students with access to Smith's high-speed campus-wide network and the full Internet from on-campus residence houses. Before you can connect to ResNet from your room, your computer must meet the minimum requirements specified in this document.

Questions or Comments

For general network support and troubleshooting, call the User Support Center at 413-585-4487 from 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. For information about cable TV in Smith residence houses, click here.

ITS is continually exploring new ways to further enhance the capabilities of the Smith network. Student feedback is an important part of this process, so please send your comments and suggestions to 4ITS@smith.edu.