Our current dial-in system is unable to meet our needs. We have 220 registered users for dial-in. With our modem pool of 12 modems, only 5% of our users can connect at any given time; people will often receive a busy signal when attempting to connect during periods of high use. Furthermore, our dial-in server is unreliable, resulting in many dropped connections. It is no longer made or supported by its manufacturer, and utilizes modems that are a generation old.
We looked closely at three options to upgrade our remote access service: adding modems to our current system, replacing the current system with a new dial-in server, or providing secure access to campus resources via the Internet.
This third option would allow faculty, staff, and students to connect to the network file servers (Scholar, Caleb, Kane, and Monon), Datatel, and other services from any computer on the Internet, over a secure, encrypted connection. This option was determined to be the best course of action for Wabash, for a number of reasons:
1. By providing secure access to campus resources via the Internet, students will be able to access these resources when they are off campus (students are unable to use our dial-in service).
2. New technologies allow for remote access to on-campus services that are more secure, more reliable, and faster than our current dial-in service.
3. High-speed, broadband Internet access is now available in Crawfordsville and surrounding areas. In order for people who opt for these high-speed options to have access to on-campus resources, we must provide secure access via the Internet, rather than relying on dial-in service.
4. The same system that allows secure access from off campus can also be used to secure wireless network communications on campus, allowing us to provide more wireless network access on campus without compromising the security of our network.
5. Dial-in access is a declining technology, as the connection speed available with dial-in does not support rich content delivery or large file transfers.
6. This option is substantially less expensive than upgrading or replacing our current system.
Obtaining Commercial Internet Access
Once the Wabash dial-in service has been shut off, you will have to purchase an Internet account from a commercial ISP to connect to the Internet from home. Depending on how much time you spend on-line each month, the kind of computer you have, and the type of connection you get, this could cost anywhere from free, up to $40.00 or more per month.
Computer Services has researched a number of ISPs with local access numbers, and will maintain a list of suggested providers. Please contact the Help Desk at x6400 for a list of ISPs. Given the number of companies providing Internet access, we cannot test them all, and there may be other good providers, so you should not consider this to be an exhaustive list of options. Note also that while all of these companies have local numbers in Crawfordsville, they may not have local numbers in surrounding areas, so if you live outside of Crawfordsville, you should make sure the company has a local number so you do not incur long distance charges.
High-speed DSL
DSL is a high-speed connection that uses your existing telephone line. Unlike normal dial-in service, you can use your phone when you are connected. Because of the speed, you must be within a certain distance of phone company equipment to use DSL, so not all people will have this option. Note too that to use DSL your computer must have a network card, but does not need a modem. SBC is now offering DSL in Crawfordsville. Contact SBC for more information on this service.
For more information see: