Internet Access

Wireless Networks

There are wireless networks available all over campus. This makes the wireless networks convenient because you do not need to be plugged in and only need to be on campus to use it. 

Here is a list of all the wireless networks on campus:

• drew - unencrypted network, needs no log in information to use
• drew1x - encrypted network, needs log in information to use
• drew5 - unencrypted network, needs no log in information to use, only present in the 5.0 GHz range
• drew5x - encrypted network, needs log in information to use, only present in the 5.0 GHz range

It is important to note a few things about using the wireless network:

• If many people are trying to use wireless in the same area, the connection will be much slower.
• Users may get kicked off if new people log on and begin using wireless in the same area. The number of users and bandwidth are what determine the speed and reliability of the connection.
• Microwaves, cordless phones, and other devices can create interference that can interrupt connections.
• Wireless is not available everywhere on campus and the connection may not be ideal.

Wired (Ethernet) Network

To get a wired connection, use your Ethernet cable to plug into a jack in the wall. Each dorm room has network jacks installed which make it easy to connect your laptop, gaming console, or other device to the network using a network cable. Wired connections are most reliable and consistent. Bandwidth may be more plentiful in certain buildings or rooms on the Drew campus with wired connections. If you are streaming video, playing an online game, or downloading large files, you may want an Ethernet connection.

Checking the Status of Your Connection

On a PC

Wireless Connection

If your computer is already connected to a wireless network, you will see this icon in the System Tray: PICTURE

Clicking once on the icon will give a list of available networks detected by the computer. It may take a few moments for the computer to detect all networks in the area. Resting the cursor on top of the name of the wireless network will give you a full system status overview. PICTURE

Generally, covered areas will receive a Good or Excellent signal (3 or more bars). You may be able to connect with lesser signals, but it is more likely that the system will disconnect or have slower performance. We cannot guarantee complete reliability in areas with less than Good coverage.

The strength of the wireless signal varies at different points on campus. Wireless access at some sites is much faster; for example, do not be surprised if your connection is slower in the library than it is in your dorm room. 

Ethernet Connection

If your computer is already connected to a wired connection, you will see a network connection icon in the system tray. If your Wireless Switch (located on the front or side of your computer) is turned off, or if you are not yet ceonncted to an availble wireless network you'll see this icon. PICTURE

On a Mac

The Wireless Connection icon is at the top of your screen on the right hand side in the toolbar. It looks like a wavelength.

Click on this icon. A list of the available wireless networks will appear. Choose a network and provide a password (if requested), and then you will be connected. If the Drew Network asks for a password, use your Drew uLogin as your username and password.

Troubleshooting

• Make sure you are in an area in which wireless connections are available.
• If you're using a non-Drew computer, we cannot guarantee coverage ranges that we have tested for wireless connections. This will have no effect on wired connections.
• If you have installed a third-party wireless card in your computer, your signal reception may vary and we cannot guarantee your connection.
• It's possible that your drivers need to be updated. You can either call the University Technology Service Center or bring the device down to the University Technology Helpdesk for assistance with checking this. 

The Network User Agreement Highlights NEEDS DUMBING DOWN

As a Drew student, you have access to resources and privileges unavailable to those not affiliated with the university. As a Drew student, the following resources are available to you:

• free access to the internet,
• academic subscriptions,
• licenses for a variety of academic software programs

Allowing another individual outside of Drew University to access these resources is a violation of the Network User Agreement.

As a computer user with a Drew network ID, you now represent Drew to the rest of the world. This means that what you do and say online while using your Drew e-mail and network ID now reflects not only on yourself, but on Drew as in institution. As a college student, you should be representing yourself and Drew in the most respectful, professional manner possible, both online and in real life.

Posting and using Drew email messages means that other online users can find you. People can and have found students electronically by investigating their publicly used Drew email addresses on discussion boards. This can lead to annoying but harmless activities, but can also lead to more serious issues, such as cyberbullying and hate crimes, both of which are illegal and, if perpetrated by Drew users, are considered malicious use of the network.

As a member of the Drew community you are expected to uphold the values and policies of the University, especially concerning issues of diversity and tolerance. Harassing faculty, staff, other Drew students, students at other universities, or private citizens by using your Drew network privileges can result in expulsion from the university. Hate mail to professor fellow students, hateful personal web pages, or cyberbullying are all strictly forbidden. Even an innocent but ill-worded email to the wrong recipient can result in charges of harassment or perpetration of a hate crime.

Any Drew user violating this policy through Drew email, Drew forums, or private email addresses accessed via the campus network will be subjected to disciplinary measures by the university and cases referred to local law enforcement where appropriate.

NEVER share your Drew uLogin information with anyone, no matter how well you know them. Legally, ONLY you can use your account. You will be legally responsible for all activities and damges related to your account name, no matter who is behind the keyboard. Remember that one password enables someone to access your campus balances, your email, all of your files, medical information, and financial information. Sharing your uLogin ID and password in response to a fraudulent email is a violation of the Network User Agreement.

There are more than 3,000 people who use and depend on the Drew Computer Network every day. This means that activities unrelated to academics cannot be allowed to interfere with the university's mission - teaching and learning. If there is a significant slow down on the network, certain types of traffic may be suspended (i.e. web browsing) in favor of academic usage (i.e. files usage). If you are found to be using the network for non-academic purposes, your access to the network will be temporarily restricted or shut down until Technology determines that bandwidth for legitimate uses has been restored.

Any devices, such as wireless routers that interfere with the function of the Drew network will be shut down and confiscated. Students who violate this rule are also financially liable for all costs related to resolution of the issue, including staff work hours for tracking the problem and damage to the network infrastructure.

Being a part of the Drew network does not make you exempt from federal, state and local laws including, but not limited to illegal music or movie downloading. Any Drew user found to be in violation of these laws is subject to prosecution by law enforcement officials. Whenever the University receives a copyright infringement notice from the RIAA or another legal body, they cooperate fully with local and state law enforcement to investigate charges. All Drew University students are legally responsible for copyright violations they perpetrate.

What has been covered here are just the basics. You are responsible for reading the Network User Agreement and following its rules and regulations while you are associated with Drew as a student.