working on ACC’s computer network

What is a computer network?

A computer network is a group of computers connected to one another in a manner similar to the way telephones are connected. ACC maintains several computer networks, each consisting of hundreds of computers connected to one another. This connection allows each computer in the network to communicate with the others (think The Matrix or the Borg collective) and share resources such as printers. Most ACC computers are single-user units such as the PC on your desk, in classrooms, or in labs. Others are servers – computers dedicated to providing the network resources that you can access with your personal computer.

Why would I want to use the ACC computer network?

The ACC computer network provides:

• secure personal file storage space
• personal Web pages
• secure file storage space for course materials and student work.

Every ACC employee receives personal storage space on the College network. Network file storage gives you these advantages:

• Your files are automatically backed up every 24 hours.
• Your files are password protected so only you can access them.
• You can access your files from any networked computer on campus, including computers in the "smart" classrooms.
• Your files are automatically backed up every 24 hours. (Remember this point the next time your hard drive dies two minutes before your big project deadline or you wipe out two days of your work by saving the wrong version over your diskette file.)

Each department also has its own file area on the network and a special folder called Common. All members of your department have access to this common folder so you can exchange files with one another. COCO, the College’s student information management system, is also accessible through the network.

What is a network account & how do I get one?

Your network account gives you direct access to the College network. Your account consists of :

• an allocation of space for your own file folders on the College network
• a public folder for your personal web pages
• your ACC network username
• your ACC network password
• your ACC e-mail account.

Upon being notified by the Human Resources office that you are a fulltime employee of the College, the network administrator will create a network account for you. Adjunct faculty should contact their division chair or department secretary to request a network account.

What is a user name & what’s it for?

Your user name is an alias or nickname assigned to your personal account on the network. Your ACC user name consists of the first seven letters of your last name, followed by your first initial. So Oprah Winfrey’s ACC user name would be winfreyo and Jay Leno’s would be lenoj and David Letterman’s would be lettermd. Procedures that require access to your account begin by requesting your user name.

What is a password & how do I use it?

A password is the “open sesame” that gives you and only you access to your personal network account. The ACC network administrator will assign a password consisting of eight random letters and numbers when your account is created. Yes, it is long. Yes, it may not be so easy to remember. That’s the point. It is far more secure than using your dog’s name or your favorite singer as your password.

	When you type in your password, an asterisk will appear for every character you type: ********** You will not be able to see your password on the screen., and neither will anybody who happens to be looking over your shoulder. If you enter your password incorrectly, the network will reject it and ask you to enter it again.
	Use your ACC password only for the ACC network. Avoid the temptation of having one password for everything. Sure, it’s easier for you to remember, but it’s also easier for someone else to get into your ACC files, impersonate you at Internet shopping sites, and any other place you want secure information.
	Do not under ANY circumstances reveal your password to anybody.

What if I forget my password?

If you forget your ACC password, call the Help Desk at extension 2349.

How do I access my ACC network account?

You log in. Every time you power up an ACC computer, the first thing you need to do is to follow the startup instructions that appear on the welcome screen for Windows XP Professional: Press ALT-CTRL-DEL.

Then enter your ACC account information in the log on window:

1. Type your username.
2. Type in your password.
3. Make sure ACC_DC is the selected location.
4. Then Click OK.

Members of the Computer Services staff log in with the username SUPPORT when working on your office PC to update software or handle a reported problem. The next time the computer is booted, SUPPORT may appear in the Username box in the log on window. Please replace SUPPORT with your username before proceeding.

If you need to access your account from a computer that someone else has already logged onto, you need to log the first user off and then log yourself on: Click the Start button in the Windows task bar. Click Log Off . . . in the Start menu. When the network login form appears, enter your username and password and click OK.

Windows will then load your personal settings. Next, Command Anti-virus software, which is installed on every ACC computer, will update automatically from the company Web site:

Occasionally, this message is followed by instructions to restart your computer.

Please click the YES button immediately to ensure that your computer is inoculated.

Please don't cancel the anti-virus update process. Failing to install updates in a timely manner can result not only in your own computer crashing but you might bring down the entire college network with you.

After Command has updated, you will gain access to your Windows desktop:

Now you're ready to access programs and files.

Where are my files?

Your program files reside on your computer’s hard drive (the C:\ drive). You should store your personal files in your personal folder on the College computer network (the G:\ drive). You can also save files on a floppy diskette (the A:\ drive) or other storage media such as a Zip disk, a CD-ROM disk, or a “jump” drive.

Campus Technology is not responsible for any of your personal files stored on your computer's hard drive. Although you are technically able to save files to your hard drive, Campus Technology strongly recommends that you do not. Files on the hard drive are not secure. Additionally, sometimes servicing your computer requires "reghosting" of the hard drive. That means that all your personal files are erased. Similarly, when your campus computer is replaced only program software is loaded on the new computer. Campus Technology will attempt to notify you in advance of either of these events so that you can save personal files elsewhere but, again, it is not responsible for any personal files stored on your computer's hard drive.

What is a class account and how do I get one?

A class account consists of a class folder that contains folders for every student. An individual student folder may be accessed only by the student who owns that folder and by the instructor. Typically, a student will submit course work by saving it in this folder. Every class folder also contains a common folder to which everyone in class has access. An instructor might save files such as the class schedule, homework assignments, and PDF readings in the Common folder. Students can't save files to the Common folder but they can open files their instructor has placed there.

Instructors who want class accounts should submit their requests to Roseann Anzalone, Director of Student Computing, at least two weeks before the semester begins. Please identify the course and section.

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