LapLAN2 for Windows XP
LapLAN is a service that allows you to connect your laptop to the University network using an Ethernet cable. LapLAN is provided in several public and departmental areas.
If your laptop has a wireless card installed, you may wish to connect to the wireless network instead of LapLAN2. Wireless is somewhat slower than LapLAN2 (though quite sufficient for most normal purposes), but LapLAN2 has a limited number of access points.
LapLAN2 is a new version of LapLAN. If you have previously signed up for LapLAN, you must re-register for LapLAN2. However, if you have registered to use the Wireless/VPN service, you are already registered for LapLAN2.
Where can I use LapLAN2?
LapLAN2 ports are marked with stickers. The stickers may be red or yellow.
George Square (Main Library)
- First Floor: A total of sixty ports are available. All study tables in the north-side study areas with network sockets on the table itself have ports activated for LapLAN2.
- Fourth Floor: Three LapLAN2 ports on the fourth floor of the Main Library, by the printers in the Mac lab.
King's Buildings
- Two LapLAN2 ports on the second floor of KB Centre.
- One LapLAN2 port in the Darwin Library Microlab (Swann Building)
There are also LapLAN2 ports in some bookable rooms and departmental areas.
Registration
These instructions enable you to register for LapLAN2 through EASE. If you are not already registered with EASE, you must first do that. See the link below for guidance.
If you are already registered for Wireless/VPN or LapLAN2, you can skip this section.
- Open your web browser, type in "https://vpnreg.ucs.ed.ac.uk/ease/selfreg.cgi" and press [Enter].
- If you are given an error message about a security certificate, click 'Enter' or 'OK'.
- If you are not already logged in to EASE, do so now.
- Enter the password you wish to use for LapLAN2 into the 'New Password' and 'Repeat New Password' fields.
- Click the box to confirm that you have read and accepted the University Computing Regulations, and click 'Register'.
- You should receive a message confirming that your registration was successful.
You are now registered for LapLAN2, Wireless and VPN using your University user name and the password that you have just provided.
You won't be sent a confirmation email after registering.
Ethernet card and network protocols
Most computers running Windows XP or Vista will already have an Ethernet card installed. If you are not sure whether you have one, or it doesn't seem to be working properly, you should check if it's installed correctly:
- On the Windows Desktop, right click on 'My Computer'. A drop down menu will appear; choose 'Properties'.
- Click on the 'Hardware' tab, then click the 'Device Manager' button.
- Click on the plus sign '+' next to Network adapters.
If you don't have a Network Adapters entry this means that there is no network card on your laptop, and you need to buy an external PCMCIA card.
Most computers running Windows XP or Vista will have the necessary network protocols are installed. However you can check this in case of problems:
- Click the right mouse button on 'My Network Places'. A drop down menu will appear; choose 'Properties'.
- Double-click the network connection for your network adapter. (At this stage, it should be the one with a red cross because the cable is not connected to a network yet.) This will open the Properties window for that connection.
- Scroll through the content in the middle section to find Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
If Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is not in the list, you will need to install it.To do this, click on the Install... button, double-click on Protocol, and double-click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The installation may take some time. When it finishes, you will be returned to the properties window.
It is recommended that you install the Microsoft TCP/IP version 6 protocol.
If your laptop does not have an Ethernet card installed, or if it is installed incorrectly, please contact the IS Helpline (IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk or 0131 651 51 51) for advice about solving the problem.
Security
The security of your laptop is your responsibility. You must have reasonable security measures in place before connecting your computer to a network.
Virus Scanner
You must install a virus scanner and keep it up to date. Copies of Kaspersky Anti-Virus can be downloaded from the University free of charge. More information is available in the document below:
Firewall
A firewall prevents other computers on the network from connecting to yours without permission. As of Service Pack 2, Windows XP has a built-in firewall. Unless you have other firewall software installed, you should turn it on:
- Click on the 'Start' button and select 'Control Panel'.
- Double-click on 'Windows Firewall'.
- Select the 'On (recommended)' option, and click 'OK'.
Windows Vista has a built-in firewall which is turned on by default.
Windows Update
Windows Update can automatically download and install updates to Windows XP. To turn it on:
- Click on the 'Start' button and select 'Control Panel'.
- Double-click on 'Automatic Updates'.
- Select the 'Automatic (recommended)' option, and click 'OK'.
Windows Vista has the update option turned on by default.
Theft and Data Loss
You should never leave your computer unattended in a public place.
To prevent data loss, you should make regular backups of your important files. See the link below for more information:
Connecting to LapLAN2
There are two ways in which you can set up your laptop for LapLAN2. With basic configuration, you can use any LapLAN2 port, and the setup is simpler, but you will be accessing the network through a shared gateway, and will have to log in every time you connect. Advanced Configuration (802.1X) allows you to access the network directly, but is only available at LapLAN2 outlets marked with a red sticker.
Basic Configuration
Unplug your laptop from any ethernet connection before configuring it.
- Click on 'Start' and choose 'Control Panel' from the menu.
- Double click on 'Network Connections'.
- Double click on the Local Area Connection associated with your ethernet card.
- Select 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)' from the list.
- Click 'Properties'.
- Select 'Obtain an IP address automatically', and 'Obtain DNS server address automatically'.
- Click 'OK'.
- Plug your computer into a LapLAN2 ethernet cable in one of the locations mentioned in the 'Where Can I Use LapLAN2?' section. The ethernet port on your laptop should be marked with the Ethernet symbol.
The status under Local Area Connection will change to 'Acquiring Network Address'. It should then change to 'Connected'. Check your IP address:
- Double click on 'Local Area Connection'.
- Open the 'Support' tab.
Your IP address should begin with 129.215.47. If it doesn't, then you need to repair your IP address, as described in the Troubleshooting section.
Finally, authenticate your connection:
- Open a web browser and type in any valid URL beginning http:// (not https://), such as http://www.ed.ac.uk. Click on 'Go', and you will be redirected to the LapLAN2 authentication service.
- If you are asked about a security certificate, click 'OK'.
- Enter your University username and LapLAN2 password, and click on 'Log In'.
You are now connected to LapLAN2. You do not need to use VPN to make the connection secure.
Advanced Configuration
Configure your laptop as described in the Basic Configuration section, but complete the following before you plug in the ethernet cable:
- In the Local Area Connection Properties window, select the 'Authentication' tab.
- Tick 'Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication'.
- From the EAP type box, select 'ProtectedEAP (PEAP)'.
- Deselect the 'Authenticate as computer' and 'Authenticate as guest' check boxes.
- Click 'Properties'.
- Deselect the 'Validate server certificate' check box.
- Select 'Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)' from the Select Authentication Method box.
- Deselect 'Enable Fast Reconnect'.
- Click 'Configure'.
- Deselect the 'Automatically use my Windows logon...' option.
- Select 'OK' three times.
- Connect the ethernet cable.
- A dialogue balloon should appear on the right of the taskbar, prompting you to 'Select a certificate or other credentials'. Click on it.
- Enter your University username and LapLAN2 password. Leave the Domain field blank. Click 'OK'.
If authentication is successful, your computer will remember your credentials, and next time you want to connect to LapLAN2, you can simply plug in the cable without needing to log in.
Your IP address should begin with 129.215.76. If it doesn't, refer to the Troubleshooting section:
Troubleshooting
Repair Your IP Address
If you are not assigned the correct IP address, then you need to repair it.
- Double click on 'Local Area Connection (Ethernet)' in the Network Connections Control Panel.
- Select the 'Support' tab.
- Click the 'Repair' button.
If you still do not have a valid IP address, then contact the Helpline.
Other Basic Configuration Problems
If your IP address is correct but you are not redirected to the LapLAN2 authentication page, then check which page your browser is attempting to load. You may have to disable the cache or change your home page to something that begins with http:// rather than https://.
Very occasionally there may be load problems with the authentication gateway, which results in a delay in loading the login page. A workaround to avoid this delay is to use VPN as you would for the wireless network, although using a VPN on LapLAN2 is not a requirement for using the full range of IP applications.
Other Advanced Configuration Problems
If you are assigned an IP address beginning with 129.215.47, this may be because you are using a LapLAN2 outlet marked with a yellow sticker, or because there has been an authentication failure. To repeat the 802.1X authentication, remove the ethernet cable from your computer, wait a few seconds, and replug it. If your IP address is still 129.215.47.?, you can use basic configuration and log in using your web browser.
If the problem persists, then check the 802.1X configuration of your ethernet interface.
If 802.1X authentication continues to fail on the port and is successful on a different port, you should report the failing port to your user support team.
Using LapLAN2
The connection to the university network is secure, and you do not have to use VPN or a proxy server. Once you are connected to LapLAN2, you can use the full range of IP applications. Note: this policy may be reviewed if it is seen to be abused. Users are reminded about their obligations under the Computing Regulations, which can be read here:
Printing
You can print to certain open access lab printers, as long as you have credit on your printing account. For more information, please see the document below:
Accessing Your Networked Drive (M: Drive)
You can access your Networked drive (M: drive), where you usually save files when using the open access computers, from LapLAN2. For more information, please see the document here:
This article was published on Aug 12, 2010