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The University of Pennsylvania's Online Computing Magazine

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[Printout | About | Archives | Search ] September 1996  -  Volume 13:1 FEATURES Printout-Almanac Digest News Bulletin

Printout-Almanac Digest

Modem Alert

Demand for PennNet and Internet access has skyrocketed this fall, with the result that when you use a computer and modem to dial in to network services you often get a busy signal. The University is working on short- and long-term solutions to the problem. For updates, call 573-4778 and listen to the menu choices, or check http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/

The following short-term solutions are effective as of Tuesday, October 15. Note that the time limits apply to individual sessions; you may reconnect as often as necessary.

New 30-minute "express" modem service - 573-9773 (PPP only)
Provides 30 minutes of connection time at 28.8 Kbps for "express" tasks such as checking e-mail, after which your connection will terminate automatically. You will need to monitor connection time yourself. The system cannot issue an alert before terminating your session.

Four-hour session limit on 14.4 Kbps modem service (898-0834)
Your connection will be terminated automatically after four hours. You will need to monitor connection time yourself. The system cannot issue an alert before it terminates your session. Note The four-hour session limit was removed on January 14, 1997.

One-hour session limit on 28.8 Kbps modem service (573-4777)
Your connection will be terminated automatically after one hour. You will need to monitor connection time yourself. The system cannot issue an alert before terminating your session.

Documentation for accessing "express" service
PPP documentation has been updated to include how to configure your software for the express modem pool:

• PPP for Macintosh
• PPP for Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11
• PPP for Windows 95
• the Computing Resource Center, 3732 Locust Walk

For assistance: Contact help@isc.upenn.edu or 573-4778. For discussion of issues: See upenn.net.remote-access newsgroup. For explanation of changes: See http://www.upenn.edu/computing/remote/.

The changes are designed to increase the availability of modem services. Their impact will be monitored closely and adjustments made as necessary to maximize access and caller convenience.

Strategies for getting connected

If you receive a busy signal when trying to connect to PennNet, try one of the following strategies:

• Dial in at off-peak hours. Demand is lower before 6 PM, Sunday through Thursday, and any time on Friday or Saturday. Be aware that Sunday through Thursday, from 6 PM to midnight, are times of extremely high demand for network access.

• Use the automatic redial feature of your communications software to redial the network continuously until you obtain a connection. Don't wait for a minute or two to redial.

• Try the express modem service.

• Try the lower speed 14.4 modem pool (898-0834) if the 28.8 modem pool (573-4777) is busy. Instructions for configuring your software appropriately are included in the documentation for PPP for Windows 3.1, PPP for Windows 95, and PPP for Macintosh. If you don't have the documentation handy, you can obtain it from CRC or on the Web (http://www.upenn.edu/computing/help/doc/dialup/winppp.html, http://www.upenn.edu/computing/help/doc/dialup/win95ppp.html, or http://www.upenn.edu/computing/help/doc/dialup/macppp.html).

• Don't stay logged in when you're not actively using the system--it's harder for someone else to get through.

• Students in ResNet rooms: Use your in-room Ethernet connection rather than a modem to connect to PennNet. It's about 30 times faster than a modem and you never get a busy signal. Instructions (the ResNet Guide), cables, and software are available at the front desks of ResNet dorms. If you have an older computer, you may need to purchase an adapter or Ethernet card at the Computer Connection.

If you need assistance implementing these recommendations, please contact ISC First Call at 573-4778 or help@isc.