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Networks

Trinity has a well-articulated campus telecommunications network, which includes all of our major computing platforms, along with the phone system. In addition, our campus network is "bridged" to the Internet.

Information on the campus network is available on the Computing Center's help guides page.

The Campus Office and Dormitory Network

All academic and administrative offices, student rooms, and most public places are wired to the campus-wide computer network.

The network is extremely important in the support of classes. This is enhanced by the fact that all College dormitories are wired, and any student with a Windows XP Pro or Macintosh computer in the dorms can have access to all networked resources. Off-campus students - like IDP enrollees - can reach the network through their local ISP via the Proxy Server, or through a dial-in connection if they don't mind the slower speeds. Many faculty members use e-mail, the World Wide Web, electronic documentation exchange for peer review, on-line discussion groups, and shared networked software in support of their teaching. Each year, the on-line tools become deeper and broader. In fact, the richness of these on-line options is one of Trinity's distinguishing features.

The Internet

The Internet is a loosely coordinated, worldwide collection of linked, high-speed computing networks located at thousands of institutions, including colleges, the government, and private industries. These connections are based on a common communications protocol called "TCP/IP". The Internet supports mail, terminal sessions ("logging in"), file transfer, the World Wide Web, and many other services.

The Internet can be accessed from all major computing platforms on campus, including student-owned Windows XP Pro computers and Macintoshes in the dormitories, or via an ISP or dial-up connections for off-campus students. Electronic mail can be sent to and from destinations on the Internet with ease. Logging into remote hosts over the Internet (which uses a program called Telnet) or moving files (which uses a program called FTP) is slightly different depending upon from which host the interaction is started (Windows, Mac, etc). See the Computing Center help guides page for links to documentation about the Internet and electronic mail.

Local Networks

A well-developed network exists on campus. Actually, it is an internetwork, because it consists of several distinct "sub-systems": a Mac network, a Windows network, a wireless network, and so on. Many levels of interconnection exist between these subnetworks, and with the national networks. Please don't hesitate to visit Academic Computing with questions about any of these systems.

The Windows Network

All of the public Windows computers in the the Library and Information Technology Center, and in academic departments are connected to the campus network. Dormitory-based Windows XP Pro computers can also be full participants in the network.

Windows XP Pro is the campus Windows standard. These machines can access the following resources.

  • The fileserver called zep offers a "classoft" volume, which stores files and programs for use in class, and which supports our public facilities; and "Bantam", which contains the current releases of our networking software, documentation, and other files of general interest.
  • Internet Explorer, Telnet, FTP, and other Internet services. Take a look in the "Information Services" group on any Windows PC (under the "Start" button).
  • Desktop delivery of electronic mail via Outlook. With Outlook, simple files and complex formatted documents can be sent with ease around campus or around the world. Outlook has built-in help, support for nicknames, "mailing lists", nested folders, and many other features. Outlook has a free counterpart, Outlook Express, that can be used at home to remotely access the same mail archive that Outlook accesses in the office. You may also check Outlook email via the web at http://webmail.trincoll.edu.
  • Access to any network connected printer on campus that the user has privileges to use.

The Macintosh Network

The Macintoshes in the classrooms, labs, public user areas, academic departments, and the dorms are connected together to the campus network. On the network are a number of laser printers, and several major fileservers in the "General Resources" zone. The fileservers were discussed in general terms above.

  • One server, called zep, has two "volumes" of interest: "Class Software", which stores files and programs for use in class, and which supports our public facilities; and "Bantam", which contains current releases of our standard issue networking software.
  • The "Network Language Lab" server provides some network-based language learning facilities.
  • Explorer, Netscape, Telnet, FTP, and other Internet services. Take a look in the "Information Services" folder (top level of the hard disk).
  • Desktop delivery of electronic mail via Entourage or Mail. 
  • Access to any network connected printer on campus that the user has privileges to use.

The Wireless Network - TrinAir

Trinity has wireless networking available in many public areas on campus, including the Library, the Cave, many lecture and seminar rooms, and even outdoors! Wireless access is intended to supplement wired Ethernet access, not replace it.  You will still need to use a traditional Ethernet card in your office, and students will continue to use Ethernet cards in their dorm rooms. More information on TrinAir can be found at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/AcctsAndNetworking/trinair.htm.

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