Document Managed by Network Operations

• Dialup numbers
• Reporting Problems
• Getting Help
• Caveats

The Network Operations Group (NOG) maintains an ISP-class remote access system for the use of the University community. This system consists of approximately 500 dialups lines spread across the three major campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick. The dialups are open to all students, faculty and staff in possession of an ICI or RCI computer account.

The dialup system is based entirely on the Cisco AS5300 Network Access Server architecture. The access servers can handle up to 192 calls simultaneously with no degradation in performance. The system's 1000 phone lines are delivered by the telephone company on digital phone trunks directly into the access servers. The access servers' digital modems are v.90 and K56FLEX capable, supporting speeds from 1.2kbps to 53kbps. V.90 is offered to the University community as a convenience feature, but cannot be guaranteed to work reliably for all users at all times, due mainly to the stringent operational requirements of the protocol. For more information on the v.90 protocol and the requirements for a v.90 connection, please visit the v.90 web site at http://www.v90.com/

The access servers support both terminal emulation and asynchronous PPP modes. Instructions on how to set up your computer for PPP operation are provided by New Brunswick Computing Services, and can be found on their web site at http://www-nbcs.rutgers.edu/. To go straight to the PPP setup page, click here.

The NOG recommends using the 3Com/USR Courier V.Everything modem to connect to our systems. Other makes and models of modem will work, though NOG cannot guarantee compatibility of all modems with our systems. Please refer to the Caveats section below for known compatibility issues.

Access numbers are provided for each of the major Rutgers University campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick. The phone lines are arranged by user class, broken down as one of General Access, Student only or Faculty/Staff only. Below are the access numbers listed for each campus. Other access numbers on each campus not maintained by the Telecommunications Division are listed for convenience.

When reporting problems with the University's remote access systems, it is best to include as much information about the problem as possible to assist the maintenance staff in timely and accurate diagnosis and resolution of the problem. Please be sure to include the following in all problem reports. At no time should you volunteer your password to anyone.

1. Your name, daytime and evening phone numbers and email address.
2. The dialup group phone number(s) with which you are experiencing trouble.
3. The manufacturer and model of your modem. [IMPORTANT]
4. Whether you are using a PC or Macintosh.
5. Whether you are using PPP or a terminal emulator.
6. A brief, specific description of the nature of the problem.
7. Some indication as to when problems first began.

Problem reports pertaining to the various dialup systems should be directed to the organization responsible for that system's maintenance. Staff will make a best effort to direct erroneous problem reports to the proper organization, but it is the user's responsibility to ensure that the problem is reported to the proper place. OIT information center staff are on hand Monday-Friday 8am-4pm to answer your questions regarding dialups, UNIX support and general computing questions.

Getting Help

The table below lists the organizational contact information for the access numbers listed above.

Caveats

There are several known issues with the AS5300 access system and several user-end devices that the user should be aware of.

1. PCTel chipset modems do not reliably communicate with the modem hardware in the AS5300 access servers. If you have a PCTel modem, and are experiencing difficulties establishing or maintaining a reliable connection to the OIT dialups, we recommend you obtain a new modem.

2. The Winmodem class of modems is known to have various problems communication with the AS5300 access servers. NOG categorically discourages any user from purchasing this type of hardware for your computer. We recommend the 3Com/USR Courier modems for use with our systems. If you have a Winmodem in your computer, and are experiencing difficulty in establishing or maintaining a reliable connection, we encourage you to obtain a new modem.

3. Some older versions of USR Courier and Sportster modems are known to have issues connecting to the AS5300 reliably. If you have an older model Courier or Sportster, please contact 3Com (http://www.3com.com/) and enquire as to upgrades and trade-ins.

4. If you have a generic "x2-compatible" modem, you may experience problems establishing and maintaining a reliable connection to the AS5300 access servers. If this is the case for you, we recommend you obtain a new modem.