FastLink

**FastLink Subscriber Information Sheet - as of 5/3/07**. Retain as long as you subscribe to FastLink.
For FastLink status or to leave a request for help with the FastLink connection dial FAST (3278) or check the emergency TV channel (19 as of 5/3/07). If a problem is not resolved in 1 or 2 workdays dial Vicki x7915 or Greg/Charlie x4080 or Paul x7901, leave a message. If you have a problem but your email works, send an email reporting your problem to FastLink@LaPosadaGV.com. FastLink is a shared high speed Internet connection provided by La Posada, and billed monthly to subscribers. It includes free email service - @LaPosadaGV.net. Resident volunteers in the Computer Users Group (CUG) help with FastLink and with computers and may be reached through extension FAST, too. The activities calendar lists CUG q&a sessions. We also have a wiki: LaPosadaGV.wikispaces.com – with tips and the discussion feature is for your feedback.

La Posada contracts for Internet service from various vendors, none of whom guarantee service. Please report repetitive service problems attributable to our vendor, e.g. slow download speeds for consecutive days, to FastLink@LaPosadaGV .com. You can google web sites that measure connection speed.


 * FastLink connection types:** **1) Cisco and Netsys** adapters that are roughly the size of a bagel and have 4 lights. The lights for Power, Eth or E1 or E2, and Ready or Link must be on for anything else to work. Eth/E1 /E2 means your computer is on and talking to the adapter. Ready/Link means your link to the outside ven-dor is on, electrically, but not necessarily working logically. Power means you have electricity powering the adapter. The Act or E1 or E2 light blinks when data is transmitted and received. The phone cable for the adapter goes between adapter’s Wall or Line jack and line 2 on a phone jack. **2) GH 2801 through 3403** are wired with cat5 cable to red wall jacks on phone jack plates. Each jack is live if FastLink service has been authorized. Wall jacks connect to an Ethernet switch in a metal wall box (18”x24”) typically in the washer/dryer closet. From there cat5 runs to the outside phone/Cable TV box. If you cannot get a proper IP address as described below, call FAST and they will determine if the problem is the computer or the connection. **3) Ruckus** MM2211 Metrolink adapter provides a wireless connection to the campus WiFi service. Lights are self-explanatory, left to right: power, computer connected, wireless connected, quality of connection.

FastLink equipment described above belongs to La Posada. Improperly configured routers can disrupt the entire FASTLINK service. If you have a router please email FastLink@LaPosadaGV.com your name & router make & model.

means press the Enter key. If you DO NOT have a router in your home the proper subnet is 255.255.252.0 and proper IP address is 192.168.x.n where x is 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and n is between 1 and 255.

**__Subscribers with Macintosh / Apple:__**

 * To check your IP address:** Apple | Control Panels | TCP/IP -- should be set to DHCP Server and the computer and gateway addresses should be as noted above unless you have a router or airport. On some new Macintoshes the Control Panel’s Ethernet or Ethernet Local settings work better than TCP/IP.
 * To reset your IP address:** Turn computer off, wait a minute, and turn back on. Sometimes this doesn't work, so change DHCP in the TCP/IP or Ethernet settings window to another choice, say BootP or Manual, save and exit back to the desktop. Then navigate back to the settings screen and set to DHCP again and save. New addresses will appear within a minute if everything else is working correctly.

__**Subscribers with IBM compatible Personal Computers:**__
We request that all these subscribers have working anti-virus and anti-spam software. Failure to do so exposes everyone to harm and disruption in service. See LaPosadaGV.wikispaces.com for tips.
 * To check your IP address:** For WinXP Start | Run | Cmd to get a DOS window. For Win2k and Win98 use Command instead of Cmd. At the prompt IPCONFIG /all will show all adapters and their addresses. For help with this tool: IPCONFIG /?
 * To reset your IP address:** In the DOS window prompt use the IPCONFIG commands per the /? query to release your adapter and then renew it. Or, r.click the connection in the Network Connections window and l.click Repair.

The End revisions: 5/07 11/06 9/06 10/05 12/04 id: f:\public\forms\FastLink Subscriber Information Sheet.doc

Last Tuesday 9-25-07 we got approval to put up poles with Tropos radios in strategic locations around La Vista. Tropos radios talk to Ruckus boxes. The Ruckus boxes are configured as routers so one box can serve multiple computers via an Ethernet switch or hub (prefer switches). Tropos radios can provide WiFi service to WiFi enabled computers but not as reliably as to a Ruckus. The Ruckus design better handles the WiFi obstructions we have on campus - stucco and vegetation and distance. The goals of Tropos and Ruckus: 1) free up Cisco CPE's (those grey boxes the size of a hand in homes) for spares; 2) replace difficult wired connections (mostly in La Vista and garden homes); 3) provide WiFi across campus (will improve as we add Tropos radios);4) unpublished security uses Since Cisco has discontinued CPE's and we cannot get our CPE's repaired, we will pull CPE's out of La Vista and garden homes as they are needed in La Perla and assisted living. There are pro's and con's to the Cisco configuration and to the Tropos - Ruckus configuration. We won't abandon Cisco until it is clearly cost-effective to do so. I hope this helps. paul+
 * RUCKUS AND TROPOS**