network

INTERNET / PHONES
TELEPHONES (Click to jump to **Telephones**) CELLPHONES (Click to jump to another page) TV (Click to jump to **TV**)

At KAUST, Telephone, Internet and TV services are all connected through a Data cable system. High-speed fiber-optic cables go to each home, and a distribution system called a "[|SWITCH]", located in your "Telecommunications Room" has multiple outlets for computers and TV boxes. These are connected by "Patch Cables" to the network connections on the walls of the home. There are 12 'ports' for regular network connections and 12 'ports' for high-speed TV boxes. There are not enough ports to connect every network connection outlet in the home, and IT Services (or you if you know how) can rearrange the "patch" cables to activate a port in the room and location you need.

INTERNET:
All or most onsite network connections are part of the KAUST "[|Intranet]". An intranet can be understood as a private version of the Internet. We on the **intranet** have access to the worldwide **internet** through a [|Gateway], but our computers, printers etc. cannot be "seen" outside KAUST. Inside KAUST we can see each other, collaborate, share files and do our work effectively. When you see a network address starting with "10" or "192" like 10.232.5.78 then you know it is an internal address, and is not "[|routable]" to the outside world.

//NOTE:// When you see the little-green-arrow symbol like this: [|Intranet] it is a link to an external explanation or details about the subject, which you may not need or want to know about, no matter how much the Tekkie Guys think it's cool. ((##MORE DETAIL NEEDED: How to collaborate locally))

Ethernet PORTS in the home:
Housing (and most work areas) at KAUST have two Utilities in the walls: 220V AC 60 HZ and ETHERNET. The ethernet Ports look like this: Well. Maybe it does not need to be THAT big :-) Anyway, these receive the typical Ethernet computer network cable you are familiar with (same for your telephone), and usually are in sets of two (the cable used can support two ports). The //**IDENTIFICATION**// of the port is the TOP label and corresponds to the labels on the network patch panel in a telecommunications room. . The photo above shows two ports: 104A and 104B. The "Port7" legend is NOT used. You may have to remove the little plastic cover to be able to read the top line.

The system uses "[|Ethernet]" cabling and the [|TCP/IP] protocol to handle the different services.

=WIRELESS INTERNET:= Many campus locations such as the KAUST School have wireless internet units throughout their buildings.

Campus-wide outdoor wireless access systems are being physically installed now (March 2010) and may be working soon.

In a home, a typical 'Wireless Router" can be plugged into a typical Ethernet wall port and will provide decent coverage throughout the home, back patio etc. You may want to read your manual on how to make your wireless non-public. OR you may want to collaborate with your neighbors...

Many residences have a specific location for a wireless router with an Ethernet port high on a wall in the upstairs hallway. IF you can get a "Powered Over Ethernet" router you can just stick it on the wall. Otherwise you have to get creative to get power to it.. Hint: The Bathroom ceiling hatchway is close by...

=TCP/IP, FTP, HTTP AND ALL THAT: ##TODO## Please contribute= We need lots more details here...

Lessons Learned:
FTP: You need to use ACTIVE FTP Mode from inside KAUST to Outside KAUST. If you cannot connect to a known FTP host in Active mode, try disabling your Firewall completely. If it then works, work through allowing your FTP Client to get through your firewall.

Opinion: Inside KAUST, their Firewall is probably enough protection from things outside. But be careful about neighbors on the network.. they may have viruses that are looking for your "open shares". So make sure you lock down your own computers with individual login names etc.

TELEPHONES:
The telephones at KAUST are network devices and plug into the same ports as computers do, and are powered by "[|PowerOverEthernet]" on the same cable. //**NOTE:**// The telephones have a connector at their base where you may connect a computer, so the telephone and computer can share the same cable and port. The bottom of your phone looks like this, and your computer Ethernet cable plugs in the "10/100PC" receptacle. (This is particularly handy at your desk at work).

The phones are made by CISCO who also provides most network hardware at KAUST. Most phones onsite are CISCO 7490G. If you want to really read the manual [|iph60pdf.pdf].

These [|CISCO] phones have many advanced capabilities like personalized Speed Dial and Directories. However, these services are provided by a central computer. They are available at extra cost by calling IT Helpdesk (910).

QUICK HINTS: RESIDENCES: To pick up a call on one phone that was answered on the other phone: 1. Person who answers call: Notice on lower left of LCD Display there is NOW (not earlier) an option "HOLD". Tell person calling to hold. Press HOLD and hang up. Yell to person near other phone. 2. Person on OTHER Phone: Notice on lower left of LCD Display there is NOW (Not earlier) an option :RESUME". WITHOUT picking up receiver, press RESUME. NOW pick up receiver and talk to caller. ...Obviously most Engineering graduates could have figured THAT out. But I couldn't :-)

Here is a little information from the manual on what the phones can do:

• Access to network data and services—You can access specialized web-based services from your phone (Insha'Allah) • Online control from your User Options web pages—You can customize your phone’s features using a web browser on your computer (Get instructions, password etc. from IT Helpdesk) • An online help system—You can obtain information about features, buttons, softkeys, and menu items directly from your phone

Here's a quick look at the phones: