The purpose of these pages is to help you get familiar with technology at UNCA. As a UNCA student, you’ll be able to take advantage of fast network access; computer laboratories; and innovative technology resources in your classrooms.

To get the most out of the technology on campus, you will need to get acquainted with our computing policies, computing facilities, and network access methods.

Please remember that you are using university network resources. Downloading and sharing copyrighted material (mp3 audio, video files, etc.) without permission is a federal offense. If you download or share copyrighted materials, you may lose your network access privileges. For more information on these laws, visit http://www.unca.edu/resnet/netlaw.html.

How To Use These Pages

You may link to the subjects you are interested in from the contents below or from the links in the navigation menu on the left.  It is recommended that new students visit the Public Computers and Web Services sections first to cover the important details of the UNCA system.

While this site tries to provide you with complete and up-to-date technology information you may have questions on topics that are not covered here.  For finding answers to these questions, or for requesting assistance, you may contact the Information Technology Services help desk at:

Telephone: 828/251-6445 (M-F 8am to 5pm)
Email: helpdesk@unca.edu (M-F 8am to 5pm)

If you must contact the ITS help desk please be ready to provide information about what the problem is, where it is located, and when it started so that help can be provided to you as quickly and effectively as possible.

If you want a more direct contact for a certain topic, or simply wish to know more about the UNCA Information Technology Services, please visit  http://www.unca.edu/technology/students/support.html

If you are a new student just entering into the UNCA academic system you may have many questions about Campus Technology but do not wish to have elaborate details of the UNCA technology services. For your convenience this section will introduce you to the most important areas of campus technology and provide tips to help you quickly learn the easiest way to work with the technology services provided to you.

OnePort is a secure Web site used for class registration, grade reporting, and submitting financial aid applications. Access OnePort through the logo on the UNCA homepage or by visiting luminis.unca.edu.

All UNCA students have space on the university Web servers to store personal Web pages.

Web Space Policy

Students creating Web pages must be familiar with and are governed by the Student Usage Policy for Networking and Computing (see http://www.unca.edu/policies/71.pdf).

Accessing your Web Space

Web Space Limitations

Information Technology Services operates several computer labs that are open and free of charge to all students. The labs consist of PCs, Macs, printers, scanners and a wide variety of software that is suitable for preparing assignments for all disciplines. All labs have high-speed Internet access. The labs are accessible for use any time classes are not in session during normal operating hours. The main computer lab, RBH006 (Robinson Hall 006) is staffed during all open hours and RBH006 is never scheduled for classes. The lab assistants in RBH006 are always available to help out in the outlying labs. They can be reached at 251-6456. In addition, the lab assistants make regular rounds of the outlying labs in the evenings. Labs are also open on evenings and weekends to insure adequate student access.

Lab Software

Lab Locations

The computer labs are located in each classroom building. Our current labs are  RBH006,  RBH223,  RH105,  RH141,  RH142,  KH037,  KH316,  CH242,  OH221,  OH228 and  ZH126.  In addition, the WCU lab,  KH036, is available to UNCA students when WCU is not using it. See http://www.unca.edu/compcenter/technology/students/pc.html for listings of lab hours and inventory.

In addition, the housing department maintains computer labs in each residence hall. These computer labs are open 24 hours a day, but are not staffed. They are available to all residence hall students. Should you have problems in these labs, such as an empty toner cartridge, please contact the housing office at 251-6710. Students must supply their own paper for the printers.

The smart classrooms on campus are equipped with a computer, a data projector, and Internet access. Each classroom is available for reservation to anyone in the campus community.

Reservations

The rooms are reserved by contacting William White at ext. 3864. Departments within each building are given priority in scheduling the rooms, but anyone on campus can reserve a smart classroom when it is available.

Support

The computer center is available to help you setup a smart classroom in your building and has traditionally funded the project if the room is open for anyone on campus to use.

Software can be added to the computers in the smart classrooms, but we ask the software be legally owned and not interfere with the other programs already installed.

Please contact Noland Wiggins (x5014) if you questions or comments on the smart classrooms.

ResNet is an acronym for Residential Network. UNCA completed a new fiber optics network that included Ethernet connections in the Residence Hall rooms in 1998 and a network equipment upgrade during the summer of 2002, making all dorm room jacks available for immediate use. An Ethernet connection is similar to a modem except it uses it's own high-speed connection line instead of your phone line. This means it is faster than a modem and you can use ResNet and talk on the phone at the same time. Some of the things you can do with a ResNet connection include; using email, researching a topic on the Internet/WWW, connecting to other computer services offered by the university such as registering for classes, & much more!

The ResNet Policy

Use of the residential network connection is governed by the Student Usage Policy for Networking and Computing (see http://www.unca.edu/policies/71.pdf  ) and misuse and/or abuse of this connection could result in permanent disconnection from the UNCA network and possibly other sanctions and/or disciplinary actions depending upon the severity of the violation.

Requirements for ResNet

PC Minimum Requirements:

• Intel Pentium processor or equivalent running XP Professional or XP Home
• At least 256MB of Random Access Memory
• 1GB of free hard disk space
• An Ethernet card and cable
• CD-ROM drive

Macintosh Minimum Requirements:

• PowerMac Platform running OSX 10.3 or better with built-in Ethernet
• At least 256MB of Random Access Memory
• 1GB of free hard disk space.

Setting up for ResNet

In an effort to get students connected within the first few days of school, the ResNet Get Connected team will provide help installing an Ethernet card and/or configuring for the Internet. Each student will receive a door hanger and a Get Connected schedule upon check-in. If you need help after checking our website (www.unca.edu/resnet), please check the schedule to see when the Get Connected team will be in your building and hang the door hanger on your door. A member of the Get Connected team will then stop to give assistance. You must be in your room and your computer must be set up and running. Depending on the volume of Get Connected requests, there is the possibility that everyone may not get connected during the scheduled times. If your Internet connection is not connected during the Get Connected week, you will have to go online and fill out an application for an appointment (www.unca.edu/resnet).

If you do not wish to wait for assistance with setting up a connection to ResNet you may connect to ResNet by yourself. Only proceed if you are comfortable with hardware and software installations.

Windows95/98 Instructions
NT Instructions
Mac Instructions
Windows XP Instructions

Security with ResNet

It is important for all students to remember that because ResNet is a shared resource it is inherently unsafe for ungaurded computers. However, with a few simple precautions you can ensure that your computer and personal data remain safe from network dangers.

The first steps to securing your computer for ResNet use is to have the appropriate software like a firewall program, anti-virus program, and Spyware detector.

The second part to ResNet security is to make sure you have the most up-to-date upgrades, revisions, or patches to these programs and your computer's operating system.

The third step is to avoid doing risky things like opening email from someone you don't know, downloading large amounts of software that may contain spyware or viruses, and sending personal information to untrusted websites.

If you aren't sure about what is needed to cover all of the recommendations above, please visit the Software section of Campus Technology at:

http://www.unca.edu/compcenter/technology/students/software.html

Information Technology Services provides wireless network access in select locations on campus. Current wireless coverage areas include the east end of Robinson Hall (Physics area), all of Ramsey Library including Cafe Ramsey and the Glass House area, the central campus Quad area in front of Ramsey Library and all of the new Highsmith Student Union building. Other locations such as the Dining Hall and Lipinsky Auditorium are under consideration and will be announced when available.

Ramsey Library offers a wireless laptop checkout service at the circulation desk for use in the Library. Otherwise all wireless laptops must be registered prior to use with the ITS office in Lipinsky Hall. Come by LH117 with your OneCard ID and fill out a form with contact info and the required Ethernet info from your laptop. Once this is complete and the unit is registered you may then use the wireless network. ALL wireless implementations must be approved by and coordinated with ITS Network Services. Unauthorized wireless access units are subject to immediate disconnection from the campus network.

More information about what is needed for connection to the UNCA wireless network can be found at:

http://www.unca.edu/compcenter/technology/students/networking.html.

Computer Repairs

The ResNet Service Center, located in Founders Hall on the first floor, is a complimentary computer repair service for resident students. This first come, first serve drop off center aides students in keeping their computers virus and spyware/adware free.

If your computer is running slow or you suspect a virus come by Founders Hall or call the ResNet Service Center at 250-3853.

Computer Setup

Computer Purchasing

IT Services provides assistance to students who want to purchase personal computers. ITS staff members consult with students to help them configure and order a system that meets their academic needs. Although students may not currently purchase personal computers in the UNCA campus stores, UNCA students are eligible to purchase discounted computers at any other campus store in the UNC system. Macs are available directly from Apple Computer at educational prices.

Ramsey Library offers a full range of Web-implemented services to students including library catalog access. (see http://bullpup.lib.unca.edu/library/)

Further information on these services is available in the Computer Center main office, Robinson Hall 013, 828/251-6445.

This section provides a broader range of topics with more in-depth details about campus technology options. The major sections covered include computer software, computer hardware, public computer information, campus networking, and student web services. These sections are intended for students already familiar with the basic layout of UNCA technology but who need thorough answers instead of a brief introduction.