• Network Access
• Which Computer?
• General Recommendations
• Email
• Software
• Training
• Help Desk
• General Info
• Philosophy

The Loomis Chaffee Computer Network

The Local Area Network (LAN) is divided into numerous segments (zones or subnets): Dorms, Classrooms, Faculty, Business, etc. Each segment is connected to the Network Backbone by high-speed switches (100 Base T) which allows for very fast communication among the subnets and to the Internet. The entire network exists behind a Network Firewall that selectively regulates incoming (and outgoing) data.

Access to the Network / Internet
All classrooms, labs, offices and student rooms have wall "jacks" [network ports] which permit any registered computer to connect to the network. Students' computers in the dormitories are permitted a dynamic IP address at the start of each year giving them access to the network. An ethernet card (not a modem) and an ethernet cable connects the computer to the network.

Which computer is best?
PCs and Macs, desktops and laptops all work equally well. The major variables among computers are speed and memory: the more of each the better. A sad fact is that a computer over four years old will have difficulty running current programs. A fast, upgradable computer is the best value. When it comes to quality, many brand names do live up to their reputations.

General recommendations for those purchasing a new computer.

Email

A large part of the communication within the Loomis Chaffee community is done via email. Class assignments, group projects, clubs, tag sales and the like are found on email. All students are given an email account the first day of school and all are expected to check their email daily.
About 100 public computers in all class buildings allow students to check their email or work on their papers and other assignments throughout the school day. The system allows a student: to work on a paper on several different computers during a day; save it to disk (local or networked), or email the unfinished work to him/her self (email is not available in the library); and then complete it at his or her own computer. Students are restricted to 1 hour of email time per day. It is hoped that this will help them be more efficient users of this medium.

Software Applications

Most public computers are equipped with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint for both Macintosh and Windows operating systems, as well as, AppleWorks, PageMaker, Graphical Analysis, and a large variety of educational programs.

Software Updates and Repairs
The latest updates to most programs and printer drivers can be downloaded from a server on the network providing the student owns a licensed copy. Some public domain utilities can also be found here. Notices of these updates are posted in the IT conference within the email system, or here on the I.T. web site. Boarding students are strongly advised to bring all disks, manuals and software licenses which they may need should any of their programs need to be reinstalled. Boarding students should also be able to provide proof of purchase [a copy of the original sales receipt will do] in case their computer requires hardware warranty repair work.

A current version of Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee or Solomon Anti-Virus licensed software is strongly recommended. These are the top quality Anti-Virus products we trust. Yes, there are shareware or freeware virus utilities, but they cannot be compared to these commercial products.

Training

A few entering freshmen will know more about some application than anyone else on campus. Other students will not have done more than play a game or type a few papers on a computer. All, however, will be taught the fundamentals of the email system and the network during the first few days of school. And later during the year, instructed in how to use the internet, word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphing programs. If students in a class need to use a particular application, the teacher of that class will provide the necessary instruction.

HelpDesk

Anyone experiencing difficulty with his or her computer or in using a particular application is encouraged to call the HelpDesk. A person is available to answer questions or schedule service appointments from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Messages can also be left on voice mail or email by contacting the HelpDesk at extension 6532.

In many cases, help can be provided over the phone. When the problem involves a "crashed or frozen" computer or if the computer will not turn on or off, a student I.T. assistant or a licensed technician will be sent to the students room to address the problem. Student I.T. support personnel are not permitted to open the computer and attempt to repair or install any hardware devices within the case. These students are only permitted to download & install applications and "set up" the computer so that it communicates with the network. (These are the most frequent problems.)

Hardware problems are directed by the HelpDesk to the appropriate technician. Warranty work will be performed at no charge. Work which requires the I.T. department to repair or install new equipment not under warranty will be charged to the students account. An estimate of the cost of the repair will be given to the student or parent and approval to do the work will be required beforehand.

General Information

Computer rooms in Clark Science Center, Chaffee Hall and Founders Hall are open at 7:00 AM. Room 114 in Clark has all Macintosh computers while Room 115 is equipped with Windows PCs. The Library opens at 8:00 AM and is equipped with Windows PCs. All close at 9:30 PM at the end of the evening study hall.

Email address format: (Initial of first name)(last name)@loomis.org
example: Joan Ryan would be [email protected]
Connecting to our email system from Hong Kong, Sidney or Hoboken:

HelpDesk email address: Once email has been accessed from on campus or via a browser, simply address your message to "HelpDesk" or
HelpDesk phone number: 6532 (on campus) (860)687-6532 off campus.

We are also now constructing a web-based HelpDesk reporting system within I.T. that will be available from this site.

General Philosophy

It is the goal of the I.T. Department to support the hardware, software and "peopleware" connected to the network and to do so cheerfully and expeditiously. Recognizing that computers are used for both work and play, segments of the network have been designed accordingly. For example, work areas such as the library or computer centers do not permit students to play computer games, whereas computers in the student center may be dedicated to email and games.