SOLUTION:

Windows 7, Vista, XP

1. Open a DOS Window (Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt).
2. Type the command: ipconfig -all | more.

Macintosh

1. Open System Preferences in the Dock.
2. Click the Network tab.

Configuring Mac OS X to Access UAB Wifi

In some cases when using a VPN over a network connection with a Windows XP computer, the VPN Session will disconnect after a period of inactivity (typically 10 to 20 minutes). This problem is caused by the Windows Service Pack 2 Firewall settings.

To fix the problem, the Windows Firewall needs to have the Cisco VPN Client program specified as an Exception:

Click on the START tab, and select:

Control Panel -> Windows Firewall

The following screen will be displayed. Click On (recommended) if not already on.

Click the Exceptions Tab which will bring up the following screen:

Click Add Programs which will bring up the following screen:

Click Browse and set the directory to look in to C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client.

Highlight the cvpnd program (single click), and then click Open .

Click OK as necessary.

At this stage the cvpnd program should have an entry as above. Click on OK to finish.

These settings for the Windows Firewall will stop the VPN session being terminated after 10 to 20 minutes of inactivity.

Every unit at UAB with devices connected to the UAB campus network should have a "network contact" person, even if there is no department server or local area network. At least one person within your department should be designated to be responsible for communicating your requests to DC/NS, and for assisting network users with basic configuration, software installation, computer training, and problem solving.

Designate an official "network contact" person for your department.

• Each department or unit at UAB should have an officially designated "network contact" person.

   

• The dean, chairman or director designates who is to serve as "network contact" for your unit. The dean, chairman or director should send either a written memo or an e-mail message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it indicating who is to be considered the official contact person.

   

• Data Communications / Network Services (DC/NS) recommends that the contact person be a trained computer professional.

   

• If the "network contact" person is not a UAB employee, the department should additionally designate a contact person who is a UAB employee.

   

• The "network contact" person should have access to a UAB e-mail account (hostname ends in uab.edu). All requests to DC/NS must be submitted via e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), and for security reasons these must originate from a server registered through DC/NS.

   

Notify DC/NS when there is a new "network contact" person, or other changes in responsibilities.

• When there is a change in personnel or responsibilities within your department, DC/NS should be notified. The previous "network contact" may send a message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it introducing the new person. If no replacement arrives before the old person departs, the last "network contact" should hand this function to their supervisor or other person in the department, who will then hand the job to the replacement person when they arrive. IP records, and any other records, should be turned in to the department for safekeeping.

   

• If the "network contact" left UAB without notifying DC/NS, the dean, director or department head should contact DC/NS with the name of the replacement contact person.

Some typical duties of a department "network contact" include:

• Manage a block of IP (internet protocol) numbers given to the department by DC/NS, and maintain records of the location for each IP number used. Requests for new IP numbers should be submitted by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ?subject=Request new IP numbers'; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text75578 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

   

• Request registration of host names in the UAB DNS (domain name service). Requests for DNS registration should be submitted via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

   

• Communicate network problems to DC/NS, and assist in trouble-shooting and problem resolution. Please call 4-3540 to report network communications problems, and call 4-7777 to report network wiring problems. You may also report problems via web interface.

   

• Request and properly configure other net-wide addressing, such as Novell server names and addresses, and Appletalk zone numbers and names. Net-wide addressing requests should be submitted via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

   

• Coordinate equipment installation and relocation with DC/NS.

"Strange network problems" can be caused by DUPLICATE IP ADDRESSES. If the workstation can send traffic off its segment to another subnet in our 138.26 class B address range but can not get to a location off campus, it is very possible that the workstation IP address has been incorrectly set to use the campus gateway (138.26.1.1) instead of its own address. Problems within your building network that affect only one or two machines can be caused by duplicate addresses, also.

SOLUTION:

One way to check for duplicate IP addresses is to look in the arp cache of the machine having problems. In Win 95/98 or NT, at the DOS prompt type the command "arp -a". For entry of 138.26.1.1 you should see a MAC address starting like 00-00-a2....

You can report the MAC address you find to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we will help you track down the "offending" machine.

A domain name such as the one described above is called a third-level domain name. There is a $500 one-time fee for creating new third-level domains. There is no additional charge for registering names within the domain once it is set up. Third-level domain names should be requested by the department network contact.

Please send requests for third-level domain names to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include an FAS account number to bill. register the name.

Faculty, staff and students who are involved in professional, academic, or student-social organizations are sometimes interested in hosting a web site for their group and want to use a domain name that does not end in uab.edu.

SOLUTION:

UAB cannot provide DNS (Domain Name) service for domains other than uab.edu. However, what we can do is register an on-campus server with a uab.edu name, and then you can arrange for an outside Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide the name www.alabama_engineers.org and point it to your UAB server. The end result is that someone who types the URL www.alabama_engineers.org into their web browser will be taken to the organization's home page, which may happen to be sitting on a computer housed at UAB. Most ISP's charge a small fee for providing you with this service.

Contact the UAB Web Center for further details about this type of arrangement.

UAB IT is currently blocking certain peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing protocols. P2P protocols are cited in copyright infringement cases brought against students and employees at a number of educational institutions by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and other media companies.

Recent trends across the country also show an increasing number of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaints for distributing copyrighted works over peer-to-peer protocols. Students and Employees should be aware that copyright infringement is not only against UAB policy, but also federal law.

UAB IT uses an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) device to monitor network activity for malicious or unwanted behavior. The IPS also allows for real time blocking of selective P2P protocols which will reduce our risk of receiving DMCA complaints and promote compliance with the UAB Acceptable Use Policy regarding copyright violations.

UAB IT does not block protocols currently being used for legitimate purposes. Streaming content such as YouTube should not be affected by the change. There are several options available to users who wish to participate in legal downloading of media, such as Rhapsody, Spotify, ITunes music store and Amazon mp3.

Users encountering connectivity issues as a result of these changes may contact AskIT for assistance at 205-996-5555.