Network Connections


Network connectivity to the Social Science Centre Network is available to all Social Science faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students. In addition to providing Internet access, a network connection enables users to access a wide range of services.  These include availability of licensed software, network printers, remote access and many other SSNDS and Western services. Depending on the type of computer being networked (desktop or laptop), the type of connection (direct or wireless), and the type of user (faculty/staff or student), some service restrictions apply as outlined below.

Directly Connected Faculty and Staff Desktop Computers

Social Science faculty and staff with registered desktop or laptop computers, running Windows XP or higher, that have a direct network connection to the SSC network become members of the SSC server domain.  Domain members have the most comprehensive and flexible access to the SSC Network. The following are some of the most notable benefits:

  • Automatic connection to personal storage (H: or U:), Supplemental (S:) and Library (L:) drives
  • Ability to install Windows software locally from the SSC Network via Add or Remove Programs
  • Automatic inclusion of the SSC Network sub-menu to the Windows start menu
  • Assertion of group policy settings that provide automatic Windows updates, monitoring of Network Notices, software and security control, and network optimization
  • Automatic connection to authorized departmental and network printers, and departmental course and research web sites

Students, Laptop Computers, and Wireless Connections

Graduate students with direct connections or wireless connections for their laptop or desktop computers that are not members of the SSC Windows domain, will have access to the full range of Network services via the SSC Network Remote Access Service. As well, connections to personal drives, network printers and Social Science web sites can be achieved through a one-time setup process. Please refer to the Help Note SSC Network Services for Laptop Users at ssnds.uwo.ca/helpnotes/servicesforlaptopusers.asp for more information.

Network Infrastructure

The current network infrastructure in the Social Science Centre consists of office cabling rated at Cat 5e or higher. This provides direct connections to desktop and laptop computers at speeds of 100 megabits per second, full-duplex. The primary switches servicing the network are interconnected with optical fibre and provide high-speed access to the SSC Network servers at  speeds of up to 1000 megabits (1 gigabit) per second, full-duplex. 

Wireless access points are installed throughout the Social Science Centre providing 100% coverage to all offices, classrooms and public areas. Wireless is a free service to all users.  For more information about connecting to and using the wireless service, please refer to the Western Wireless website.

Network Connection Policies

Although there is no charge for being connected to the SSC Network, there may be a charge for re-connecting or installing a direct connection. The charges are payable to Telecommunications and can be found in the ITS Services Document. 

Contacts

If you have any questions relating to network connections in the Social Science Centre, contact Kam Abado (khabado@uwo.ca) at extension 85065. For assistance with setting up your desktop or laptop computer for use on the SSC Network, contact Ali Hammoud (ali@uwo.ca) at extension 83597.