Dialup IP Network
Configuration for Windows XP
This document outlines a step
by step process for setting up and establishing a dialup IP connection to the
University of Texas at Houston Office of Academic Computing (UT-OAC) Dialup
Router. This service allows computers to connect into the TMC IP network and therefore,the
Internet from remote locations over standard telephone lines using Microsoft Windows
XP and a standard high speed modem. UT-OAC supports and maintains asynchronous
modem connections of speeds up to V.90.
- Configuring
a Dialup connection
- Troubleshooting
Problems
- Caveats
- Links
to helpful software
- Help
Desk Support
Modem
Setup in Windows XP
If
you've purchased a new computer
If you've purchased a new computer with Windows XP & a modem pre-installed,
then TCP/IP & Dial-Up Networking should be
installed by default. You then can skip most
of the steps referred to below. Your situation may vary. It is advisable
to read
through the steps as closely as possible to verify the correct settings.
Purchasing
a Modem
General
Information
There are a few considerations
to make when purchasing a modem for the purpose of connecting to a network.
The first of which depends on the type of computer that you will be installing
the modem on. In general it is best to purchase the fastest modem that
you can afford for your system. Since modems are realatively inexpensive this
should not be too difficult to do. This speed is given in Kilobits
Per Second (Kbps). Name
brand, V.90 protocol modems that are plug and play capable are your best bet.
Plug
and Play
If you insist on installing
an internal modem, and your systems has an open ISA or PCI slot, it is highly
recommended that you purchase a good quality name brand Plug and Play compatible
modem. In most cases, Windows XP should find the modem, install the
appropriate drivers and allocate system resources correctly. If
you are installing a Plug and Play modem, be it internal or external, Windows
XP should find it and configure your PC's system resources if they are available.
Configuring
Dialup Networking
Go to Start / Control Panel and Look for the Network and
Internet Icon as shown in the graphic below.
Choose Set up or change your Internet
Connection
If no other connections have been configured,
you will be presented with the New Connection Wizard, click Next
Choose Connect to the Internet and click Next
Select Set up my connection manually and click Next
Select to Connect using a dialup-modem and click Next
Type in a name for the ISP, in this case it is UTHSC-H anc click Next
Type in the UT Phone number and click Next
Type in your UT Dialup ID, uncheck the three check boxes for security purposes
and click Next. If yo do not supply a password, you will be asked for one
when connecting
Completed the process by clicking the Finish button. You may select to add
a shortcut to this connection on the desktop for convenience.
Troubleshooting Problems
If you get this far without
an error and still cannot connect, check the userid and password
to make certain that they are correct in content and case, then try again. If
you are still having problems, you will have to contact OAC
to trace your connection as you dial in to diagnose the problem further. Windows
XP supplies 5 TCP/IP client programs: Telnet, FTP, Tracert, ipconfig and
Ping. You can use Ping and ipconfig as
a fast way to test the network connection. All of these programs
are located in the default windows directory once the IP protocol is installed.
Below is a command line showing a successful ping and response. Ping can
also be run from within Windows by clicking on Start >Run > cmd
and typing Ping oac (in this case the host name OAC correlates
with its numeric IP address 129.106.30.1)
At the Command Prompt ">" type
" ping 129.106.113.244. The machine should respond as shown below. Values
may vary due to connection speed.
ipconfig will tell you if your IP stack is working correctly.
The router will assign an IP address if you are connected correctly. Below
is what you should see if the connection is good and and the IP stack is working
correctly. This can be done by clicking on Start > Run >
CMD and typing ipconfig at the command line
Caveats
- In some rare cases,
a local phone switch from a local phone company may cause a connection to
kill itself as soon as the IPCP layer is established. Some phone companies
have been good about working out this problem and some have not. These problems
will have to be worked out on a case by case basis.
- Unsupported software
such as Chameleon sampler and shareware client programs will not be dealt
with by OAC staff as the companies that write the software can not be counted
on to give help should a failure occur. In cases where the user
can not get unsupported software to work, OAC will not be available for support.
- Macintosh computers
are supported only with Free PPP. Slip programs such as
Versi-slip that do not support IP address designation by the router are not
supported.
Links
to helpful Software
Help Desk
Support
|
Support |
Hours |
Days |
Client Support Services
Help Desk Monday-Friday at
(713) 500-4848 |
7am-5pm |
Monday-Friday |
UTHSCH-H
Office of Academic Computing
support@uth.tmc.edu
Last Modified: