Computing News
Changes to the 898-0834 modem pool affecting SLIP and PPP users
Starting on February 2, 1998, SLIP and PPP services will be discontinued
on the low-speed (14.4) modem pool. From then on, that pool will support
only CLI (command-line interface) connections. This change is one more
step towards reducing the size and use of that pool as its equipment ages
and begins to fail. The goal is to make it easier to support users and to
move the Penn community towards higher speed access to the net.
At the same time, new equipment on the high speed modem pool will make it
possible to allow variable time limits on sessions in place of the
universal one-hour limit that has been in place for the last year. The
four-hour limits that have been available on the low-speed pool will now
be available on the high-speed pool except at the most congested hours of the week.
Unfortunately there will be inconvenience for those who use the low-speed
pool for these services. SLIP will be eliminated entirely and both SLIP
and PPP users will need to reconfigure their systems to dial the new
numbers. The purpose of this announcement is to help you understand and
prepare for what you will have to do in order to upgrade your access to
the net.
The PPP modem pools are:
- 215.573.4777 (The main PPP pool will have variable session
limits beginning Feb 2)
- 215.573.9773 (The "PPP Express" pool will continue to have
30 minute session limits.)
If you need help reconfiguing your computer, faculty and staff
can find help in their school, center, or department. Students
can contact their local support provider. A list of local support
providers is available on the web
(URL: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/view/support/).
The new session limits will be based on whether you dial in at
"peak" or "off-peak" hours:
- If you dial in during peak hours (6PM to midnight), you'll
have a one-hour session limit beginning from the time that
you login.
- If you dial in during off-peak hours (midnight to 6PM), you'll
have a four-hour session limit *unless* your session
extends into peak hours. All sessions extending beyond
6 PM are terminated after one hour.
The rules and frequency by which ISC might change the definitions
of peak and off-peak hours, and the session limits associated
with them, are detailed on the remote access web page (URL:
http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/). The remote access
planning page will contain information about planned future
additions to the number of modems in the various pools
(URL: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/).
An additional 120 modems will be added to the main PPP pool to meet
the expected increase in demand. Both the PPP and the PPP Express
pools allow connections at speeds up to a 33.6 Kbps maximum; you
may dial in at speeds lower than the maximum.
Reconfiguring your computer
To assist you in reconfiguring your computer to access PennNet via
PPP using the high-speed modem pools, Penn provides the following
documentation. (Windows 3.1x users and Macintosh users will also
need the software installers noted below.)
Please note that multiple, simultaneous logins to Penn modem pools
are not permitted. Also, be sure to monitor your connection time to
avoid a terminated session; the system cannot issue an alert before
terminating your session when you've reached the session limit.
The ISP option
Modem users who require a level of service that Penn cannot provide
are encouraged to investigate fee-based services such as DCANet
(URL: http://upenn.dca.net/).
Please note that commercial Internet
Service Providers (ISPs), such as DCANet, cannot be used to reach
many Penn services that have access controls: e.g., FinMIS, some
Library services, some school and departmental services, and NetNews
via a graphical browser. See the domain name restrictions page for
details (URL: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/nonpenn.html).
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|
Please note: This material is no longer current and appears
online for archival purposes only.
Use the search and navigation tools above to locate more up-to-date materials, if they exist. |
