SLIS Local Area Network (LAN) FAQ's

Definitions

LAN

A LAN, or local area network, is a collection of computers connected to each other so that they might share data and resources. This connectivity is achieved though special types of wiring (in our case CAT5 twisted pair ethernet wiring).

Server

A server is any machine that provides or coordinates data or resources (such as printers). While any machine can act as a server, there is usually a machine or machines dedicated to this purpose. In the SLIS LAN, the main server is a device called achilles(in Kent)or colserver (in Columbus) running the Novell OS. It is this machine that you will log into when you sit at any of the School's client PC's.

Client

A client is any machine that utilizes resources or connects to a server on the LAN. The PC's in the classrooms are clients...

Account

An account is what allows a user to log into the LAN. It identifies the user and keeps track of those resources normally available to him or her. When an account is created for a user, a unique userID is created and a password is assigned to that userID. In the SLIS LAN, the userID most often consists of the first initial of the first name and the first 7 letters of the last name. (ie. John Malkovitch = jmalkovi). Additionally, when outside the School, there may be an append to the ID. This ID is also known as your "Flashline ID".

For example, John is a Kent-based student. If he wishes to connect and get his mail from home, he appends @kent.edu (ie. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to his userID. The "@kent.edu" is implied when he logs into the network while in the school at Kent.

The password in Kent will initially be set as described below in the "How do I change my password " section of this page...

Server and Account-Based Resources

There are a number of perks to having an account in the SLIS LAN.

• The first is access. With an account you can actually use the Electronic Classrooms and labs.
• The second is printing. At this time, we allow students who are participating in the SLIS academic programs to print free of charge. To this end the school has provided laser printers that are accessible through the network. It is important to note that along with this perk is a responsibility. Please print responsibly. Printing costs comprise a considerable portion of the operating budget of the school. Excessive and unnecessary printing will eventually raise these costs (as well as wearing out the printers).
• The third is file storage. When a user logs in, the login process automatically maps the "P:" letter drive to the user's personal file space on the novell server. At this time, users may place up to 10MB of files (including their email) on the P: drive. This P: drive will be the same no matter where or which client in the department you use. A final advantage of this file space is that it is backed up nightly. Unfortunately, at this time we do not allow access to the P: drive space from outside of the department.
• The fourth is software. Obviously a benefit to the LAN is access to software that you may not personally own. Some of these packages include: the Adobe Creative Suite v.2 (with Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Professional and more), Paintshop Pro,  Microsoft Office 2003, SPSS 14, Reference Manager, Procite, Bibliolink, Software compilers, and many more.

How do I log into the network?

Turn on the computer. After booting, the computer should display a "Windows" window. Press the CNTR-ALT-DEL keys simultaneously to present the Log-on window which contains two boxes. The first says "User Name." Into this type your Active Directory User ID. The second box says "Password." If you have not yet activated your AD account, then you will have to go to flashword.kent.edu to change your password.  This action will synchronise all your ID's so that they will act as one.

Once you fill out the login form and hit the enter button,you will be authenticated to the Kent network.

How do I change my AD LAN password?

Changing your password (thus allowing you to use Kent SLIS computers under your own ID) is accomplished by using the http://flashword.kent.edu web interface.  If you've never changed your  password, the initial password format for the FLASHLINE password is: AMMMYYSSSS

1. A = the first letter of your middle name. If you do not have a middle name, you have been assigned the character "x."
   
2. MMM = The second through fourth characters will be the first three letters of your birth month (e.g., April - apr).
   
3. YY = the fifth and sixth characters will be the last two digits of your birth year.
   
4. SSSS = the seventh through tenth characters will be the last four digits of your social security number.
   

For example, if an individual's information is as follows:

1. Name: Chris A. Jones
   
2. Date of birth: November 2, 1971
   
3. Social Security Number: 123-45-6789
   

Then their new password would be: anov716789.

When you change your password, you must fullfill the following requirements: The password you use must be at least eight characters long. We recommend that it be between eight and 18 characters and be alphanumeric (meaning that it contain letters and numbers). Most important is your ability to easily remember it.

How do I change my Flashline password?

How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to/from the SLIS Listserv?

This is covered on the The KSUSLIS-L listserv page.

How do I forward my Flashline email to another email account?

How do I set up email clients like Eudora and Netscape?