Network, Domain, and Wiring
Network Settings
Every workstation uses the same configuration values for networking, except for one: a unique value called the IP address. If this is a new workstation, this value should be provided by the Systems department when we recieve the workstation. But if this is a replacement workstation or a station being rebuilt, this value should be in the database. If none of these things work out, then email Syshelp: you cannot get on the network without an IP address.
- Login as "Administrator". If you are setting up a new XP installation, you can't, but you probably already have the right permissions.
- Right click My Network Places, and select Properties.
- Right click Local Area Connection, and select Properties.
- Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click the Properties button.
- Check Use the following IP address, and enter:
- IP address: (see the paragraph above)
- Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default gateway: 128.227.223.1
- Check Use the following DNS server addresses, and under Preferred DNS server: enter 128.227.128.24
- Select Advanced | WINS | Add....
- Under WINS servers..., enter 128.227.10.99
- Restart!
Joining the Domain
If this workstation has already been on this network before, someone in Systems must delete its profile from the domain before it can be added again. Email Syshelp.
- Attach the network cable to the computer and to the wall jack. (If this workstation is not properly on the network, then its network cable should have been unplugged.)
- Login to the workstation as Administrator.
- For Windows 2000, right click My Computer, then select Properties | Network Identification | Properties.
- For Windows XP, right click My Computer, then select Properties | Computer Name | Change.
- Check Domain, and enter smatherslib.
- You will be propmted to login as a user (yourself).
- If all goes well, a message box will welcome you to the smatherlib domain. If so, then restart the computer, get your permissions strsight, and them immediately do all the Windows updates.
- However, if you were not welcomed to the domain, double-check all the network settings, and try again.
- And if that fails, email Syshelp.
User Accounts
Logins and Passwords
Suzy Covey creates and destroys network login id's, but send e-mail requests, etc. to SysHelp instead of Suzy personally.
Passwords must be at least 12 characters long, should not be something commonly found in a dictionary, and should be a mixture of letters and numerals.
There is a default password (agr8password) that must be changed at the first login to a new, valid password.
Change a password by selecting Start | Settings | Control Panel | Passwords | Change Other Passwords | Microsoft Networking | Change.
User Account Lockout Policy
The user account policy for account lockouts has been changed to 60 minutes. If your users get locked out and need to access their accounts you will need to call systems to arrange for a manual resetting of each account. Will 2002-06-11
Network Troubleshooting
To determine whether a computer is physically connected to the network, look at the LEDs on the network interface card (NIC) at the back of the case. One LED will light steady if there's power, and one will blink if there's a network connection. Their colors are not important.
The network cable should be no more than 15 feet long. Otherwise you risk signal degradation and interference from lights and electrical fields.
If this workstation later on seems slow on the network or on the internet, check the speed or duplex setting on the NIC:
- Right click My Computer.
- Select Manage | Device Manager.
- Expand Network Adapters.
- Right click the proper adapter and select Properties | Advanced | Link Speed & Duplex.
- Select the Auto or Auto Detect setting, and see if that speeds up network performance.
Improving Network Performance
Following these procedures may help to improve the performance of a workstation on the network.
Disk Cleanup
Run the Disk Cleanup program. It may take several minutes before it presents you with the selection list.
When propmted for what you want to delete, definitely select Temporary Internet files and Temporary files, along with whatever else you find appropriate.
Disk Defragmentation
Run the Disk Defragmentation program on each hard drive in the computer.
New Devices, Old Drivers
If a newer version of a device (like a mouse) has been installed, but the new device's drivers have not, then you may see a performance degrade. Look into that.
Paging File Size for Virtual Memory
Make sure that the paging file size is set to the recommended value. If it is too high or too low, the computer may run slower.
- Right click My Computer and select Properties
- Select the Advanced tab and click on Performance Options
- Click on Change in the new Virtual Memory dialog box.
- Note the MB recommended under Total paging file size for all drives.
- In that same dialog box, enter that recommended amount for both Initial size and Maximum size under Paging file size for selected drive.
- Click Set | OK | OK | OK.
Hardware Configuration
Make sure that the hard drives live on a different ribbon than the disk drives.
Adapter Settings
Right click My Computer | Manage | Device Manager | Expand Network Adapters | Right click the particular adapter | Properties | Advanced then check these values:
- Flow control: disable.
- any checksums: disable
- Wake On LAN: no
- Try Full 100 versus Auto detect and see which performs faster.
Wiring Requests
Wiring requests should be routed through SysRequest.
Bobbie, 2003-02-17.
