Emerson Library Computing Guide

Using Your Laptop Computer in the Library

Printing from the Network | VPN Information | Wireless Networking | Assistance with Setting Up Your Laptop

Network drops are available throughout the building for use with your personal computer's ethernet card. (Wireless is also available in certain areas of the library; see the Wireless Networking notes).

Physically Connecting Your Laptop to the Network

In order to connect to a wired network drop, a CAT5 or CAT6 straight-thru network cable is required (This is not the same as a phone cable). If you do not have a cable of your own, one may be checked out at the Circulation Desk.

You can tell an ethernet cable apart from a phone cable by the number of metal connectors exposed on the plug. Ethernet cables have 8 connectors while phone cables only have 4 connectors and the plastic casing itself is smaller in heighth and width.

• Please do not unplug library computers to connect to the network.
• Do not leave your laptop unattended! The library is not responsible for stolen equipment.
• Avoid extending network and electrical cables across aisles where they might be safety hazards.

Make sure you plug your ethernet cable into the correct port. The correct port will have an icon, with computers connected by lines, next to it.

Proper Software Settings

To connect to our network, you will need to configure your laptop to automatically obtain an IP address.

Configuring automatic IP detection on Windows XP

1. Open up your Internet browser (i.e., Internet Explorer).
2. On the Toolbar, select "Tools" and from the drop-down select "Internet Options...".
   
   
   
   
3. Choose the "Connections" tab located at the top of the window and click the "LAN Settings" button.
   
   
   
   

4. Place a checkmark in the box labeled "Automatically Detect Settings" and then click "okay".
   
   

5. Return to your Internet Browser and type in a website address to test your connection.

Printing from the Network

We do not allow printing from laptops connected to our network. If you must print a document, please save the file to a floppy disk, flash drive, zip drive, or CD and take it to one of our computers located in eCommons, the Cafe, or the Lower Level. You may also email the file to your own web-accessible email address and access the file from one of our lab computers. Once you have the file transferred to one of our machines you may print for a small fee. [See Print Guide]

VPN Information

There is the possibility that you may not be able to connect to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) using your laptop and the library's network drops. If you try connecting and it works, you are finished with this tutorial. If it does not work we cannot do any reconfiguration of the network to make it work because of security concerns.

Wireless Networking

Wireless is now available on both floors of the Cafe, and in the Faculty Development Center. For more information, see the Guide to Wireless in the Library

Assistance with Setting Up Your Laptop

Library Systems staff will assist laptop users with connecting to the public laptop drops. This will take the form of providing you with instructions and letting you make the changes to the laptop. Library Systems staff will not make modifications to users' laptops under any circumstance. Laptop users with personally owned laptops are expected to be responsible for any other troubleshooting or repair of their laptops. Users with university owned laptops may contact the Help Desk at x5995 for assistance with problems.