Troubleshooting your Internet Connection
- One computer or all computers can't connect?
- How to check Hubs and Frad/Router
- What is an IP address? What is the MAC address?
- How to check for IP address and MAC address
- Are you connecting to the MSLN servers?
One Computer or Many Computers?
- If you are connecting just one computer you will need a cross-over cable to connect the computer to either the Frad or the Router. If you are connecting more than one computer you will be using Cat 5 patch cords (straight -through) to connect all the computers to the switch/hub.
- Plug the other end of the network cable into the network card located in
the back of the tower computer. The network card has a port that looks
like the ports on the switch. The network cable should click into place when
inserted properly. (Listen for the click!)
NOTE: Your computer may look different from the one pictured here.
You may also have a modem card ‚ the Ethernet cable/patch cord has a "bigger plug"
- If you have unwound the network cable, make sure it is not in an area where patrons may walk or kick it. It is a good idea to wrap up as much of the cable as possible, tie it together with a twist-tie, and place it behind the computer.
Checking Hubs, Switches, Frads and Routers
First, a little bit about hubs, switches and routers.
In general, a hub is the central part of a wheel where the spokes come together. The term is familiar to frequent fliers who travel through airport "hubs" to make connecting flights from one point to another. In data communications, a hub is a place of convergence where data arrives from one or more directions and is forwarded out in one or more other directions. There are hubs, switches and routers in most networks. For more information about switches, hubs and routers and how they work, feel free to check out these websites
- What is the difference between an Ethernet hub and switch?
http://duxcw.com/faq/network/hubsw.htm - Routers, Switches and Hubs
http://www.eicepower.com/RoutersSwitchesHubs.htm - Networks in-depth: Switches, hubs and routers
http://www.thebusinessmac.com/features/network_indepth.shtml
So what's a FRAD?
A FRAD (frame relay access device; also sometimes referred to as a frame relay assembler/dissembler) is a box that encapsulates (puts frame relay header and trailer information on) outgoing data packets and decapsulates (removes frame relay headers and trailers from) incoming packets.
The FRAD is that black box that provides the interface between the MSLN site and the MSLN 56K frame relay network. Since FRADS are a bit obsolete as they break down the MSLN FRADs are being replaced by newer 56K routers. So MSLN has both 56K FRADS and 56K routers. Many schools and libraries have T1 connections that also use routers.
Checking the lights
When I turn on my computer, I get a message that says "DHCP Server Not Responding."- First, try to see if you are able to get on the Internet using another computer at your site. If you are able to do so, then the problem is probably with the computer itself, and it not a networking problem.
- Check to see if there is a link light on your Ethernet card (usually a little green light right next to where the cable plugs in.). If not, try using a different cable or plugging the cable into a different port on the hub.
- Check and see if the "Network" light on the FRAD or Router is red. If this light is red, please contact the MSLN Help Desk so that they can troubleshoot the problem. Call 1-888-367-6756
- If there are green link lights on the Ethernet card, a link light on the corresponding port on the hub, the Network light on your FRAD is green and you are still receiving DHCP errors, please contact the MSLN Help center. 1-888-367-6756
Frad/Router is not responding. (Red Lights)
- First, Check the outlet. Does the Frad/Router have power? Believe it or not, this is a frequently overlooked "technical problem." Frads and Routers should be on an electrical circuit of their own and not on a circuit controlled by light switches or other common electric switches. They should not be disconnected for any length of time without first informing MSLN.
- You can also try unplugging the FRAD/Router and then re-plugging it in. You may get a call from the MSLN Help Desk if you do this. They can tell when someone goes "offline". This resets the device and may get you back online.
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a 32-bit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information that is sent in packets across the Internet. When you request an HTML page or send e-mail, the Internet Protocol part of TCP/IP includes your IP address in the message (actually, in each of the packets if more than one is required) and sends it to the IP address that is obtained by looking up the domain name of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) you requested or in the e-mail address you're sending a note to. At the other end, the recipient can see the IP address of the Web page requestor or the e-mail sender and can respond by sending another message using the IP address it received.An IP address has two parts: the identifier of a particular network on the Internet and an identifier of the particular device (which can be a server or a workstation) within that network. On the Internet itself - that is, between the router that move packets from one point to another along the route - only the network part of the address is looked at. A typical MSLN IP Address would be 169.244.161.2
What is the MAC address?
On a local area network (LAN) or other network, the MAC (Media Access Control) address is your computer's unique hardware number. It is also called the Adapter Address,or the Physical address. It is always a combination of 12 number s and letters. It will look something like this: 00-00-E2-82-B4--7F. When you're connected to the Internet from your computer (or host as the Internet protocol thinks of it), a table relates your IP address to your computer's physical (MAC) address on the LAN.
How to check for your IP address and MAC Address
- W95/98 Start->Run->winipcfg
- NT/XP/2000 Start>Run->CMD->C:/ipconfig /all
- Or Start->Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt