TECH SUPPORT: Dialing up to the Internet via USU
Does your computer have a dial-up modem that never gets used? Is it because the setup is too complicated or perhaps using it is too expensive? Well, fear not. An online service is not only easy to set up, but in fact, you have already paid for the service through the university.
Did you know that both PCs and Macs have built in software that can connect you to the Internet? This means you don’t need “special software” or an “installation CD” like you might use for other Internet service providers like AOL, Earthlink or Juno. Everything you need to get on the Internet, such as your Web browser, e-mail program, Internet protocols and dial-up connection software, is already built into your computer’s OS (that stands for Operating System. i.e. Windows). And that’s only the half of it.
Part of your student fees covers your modem usage by allocating $1.00 a week to your modem account (not to exceed $4.00). If that’s not enough for those of you who make Internet usage an extreme sport, you can add as much of your own additional money as you want. The hourly rates for modem usage are as follows:
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. – 10 cents/hr
6 p.m. to midnight – 25 cents/hr
Midnight to 8 a.m. – free
Getting online with your dial-up modem couldn’t be any easier, thanks to Utah State University’s IT Services Help Desk. At the Help Desk there are various options to help you get connected. You can call and speak to a Help Desk consultant who will walk you through the process of getting online over the phone, or if you prefer person-to-person interaction you can visit the Help Desk and pick up a simple hand-out on how to get connected, or even drop off your computer and have them set it up for free (up to one hour free labor).
Besides providing network connectivity for computers in the different offices and buildings on campus and in the dorms, IT Services maintains a large modem pool that accepts incoming calls from off-campus dial-up modems that are requesting access to USU’s network or the Internet. USU’s network has a very fast connection to the Internet, which can support thousands of network and dial-up users at once.
For those of you more technically inclined, the Internet feed to USU consists of two DS3 lines which have 45 Mbps each of bandwidth for a total of 90 Mbps bandwidth to the Internet (http://thingy.usu.edu). That’s the same as 60 T1 connections (a T1 line is 1.5 Mbps of bandwidth), or about 1,645 average 56k modems! Of course, you’re only going to be able to use about 56k of bandwidth if you’re dialing up with a 56k modem.
Though Networking and Computer Services does not provide DSL or ISDN service, cable modem service has been recently made available to those areas of student housing that currently do not have an Ethernet connection. Those areas are the Trailer Courts and West Stadium Villas.
The consultants at the Help Desk are great at getting people connected to USU’s network. Whether you live off campus and need dial-up modem help or live on-campus and need help with your network connection, the Help Desk is not only your best option, but also your friendliest source of technical expertise at USU.
So you see, getting connected to the Internet is really quite easy. Not only does your computer already have everything you need, but your service is already paid for through student fees. So rather than spending $10 or $20 for a dial-up Internet connection, set your modem to dial-up to USU, after all, you’ve paid for it.
You can contact the Help Desk by phone: (435) 797-4358, e-mail: helpdesk@cc.usu.edu, or by going in person to the SER (Science and Engineering Research) Building, Room 108.
Ben Campbell is a junior majoring in computer engineering. Comments may be sent to helpdesk@cc.usu.edu.