ACCC Dialin Services

You must have a UIC netid and a valid password before you use any ACCC dialin line. If you don't have an account yet, you can create an ACCC account online.

Note 1:

The new-style dialin lines are not in the UIC campus exchange -- you must dial the complete phone number, including the 666 exchange even from on campus. (The people at the 6-2001, 6-2002, and 6-9000 campus exchanges will be grateful if you don't bother them.)

Also note that these "free" lines aren't free if the computer you're connecting is on the UIC campus -- you'll be charged for your connect time by the minute on your campus phone bill. So don't use the new-style ACCC dialin lines from an on-campus phone; having your computer connected to the campus ethernet backbone is a much better, faster, and cheaper alternative. If you're a student living in a campus residence hall, see: Connecting from the Residence Halls, otherwise see: Connecting via the Ethernet.

Note 2:

Dial-9000 is the "first number" of the Chicago new-style dialin lines. Dial-9000 bounces to Dial-2001 if all the lines in Dial-9000 are busy. Likewise, Dial-2001 bounces to Dial-2002 if all the lines in Dial-2001 are busy.

Any member of the UIC community -- student, faculty, staff -- can use the ACCC dialin services. There are no ACCC or UIC charges involved in using them. Even so, there are two important reasons why you might not want to use them.

1. The ACCC will continue to monitor and improve these services, but it is impossible for us to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for them.
   
   
2. If you live in the suburbs, the telephone company's per-minute charge to connect to UIC 413 exchange or non-UIC 666 exchange can mount up very quickly.

The use of the ACCC dialin lines is a privilege, not a right. Be sure to disconnect when you're finished. Never use more than one line at a time, and never give your ACCC netid (or userid) and password to anyone else. Please review our policies regarding computer use and abuse.

Note: You must a UIC account and a valid password before you use any ACCC dialin line. If you don't have an account yet, you can create an ACCC account online.

• An Apple Macintosh running MacOS version 7.5.3 or later; if you have a 68k series Macintosh running MacOS version 7.5.2 or earlier, then you need MacTCP, too.
• A Windows personal computer running Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, or Me. (The ACCC no longer supports Windows 3.1.)
• A modem and a telephone line. (But please don't use a dialin modem from a campus extention.)
• A UIC netid and account on tigger, icarus, or mailserv.

• These lines are not on campus; you must dial the complete 666 exchange, even from on campus. (The people at the 6-2001, 6-2002, and 6-9000 campus exchanges will be grateful if you don't bother them.)
  
  
• However, if the computer you're connecting is on the UIC campus, please don't use the ACCC dialin lines; have your computer connected to the campus ethernet backbone instead. If you're a student living in a campus residence hall, see Connecting from the Residence Halls; otherwise see Connecting via the Ethernet.
  
  
• These lines have a connect time limit of 5 hours.
  
  
• These lines use a standard Windows-style connection process or the connection process used on the other ACCC dialin lines.
  
  
• Before your modem dials in, you must enter your UIC netid and valid password. If you don't yet have an account, you can create an account online.
  
  
• Like all ACCC dialin lines, the new-style dialin lines support data compression and error checking.
• Like all ACCC dialin lines, the new-style dialin lines use RTS/CTS (hardware flow control).

• When you connect with these dialin lines, a "terminal window" will open with a Dialin-x> prompt.
  • For more info, enter: help before you enter the ppp command.
  • For news, enter: motd before you enter the ppp command.
  • To connect, enter: ppp
    
    
• You will be asked to enter your UIC netid and valid password after you dialin. If you don't have an account yet, you can create an account online.
  
  
• Like all ACCC dialin lines, the old-style dialin lines support data compression and error checking.
• Like all ACCC dialin lines, the old-style dialin lines use RTS/CTS (hardware flow control).

For more information about modems and modem support, see the Modem Resource Page.

Modem requirements:

modem specifications: CCITT V.32-bis for 14.4 Kbps, CCITT V.34 for 28.8 Kbps and 33.6 Kbps, and ITU V.90 for 56 Kbps. (Note that some modems don't follow V.34 for 28.8 Kbps connections; if yours doesn't, it may not work.)

error correction: none, V.42 (LAP-M), or MNP Class 2 through 4

data compression: none, V.42-bis, or MNP Class 5

Modem Settings:

• Your modem must have hardware (CTS modem-initiated) flow control enabled.
  
  
• Use eight (8) data bits and NO (or NONE) parity.
  
  
• Use RTS/CTS, hardware flow control.

When you use compression, the maximum effective throughput can be larger than the raw modem speed, simply because compression means that you don't have to transmit every character. Modems are rated by raw speed, such as 14.4 kpbs or 28.8 kpbs. However, sometimes when you configure a PC to use them, you need to specify the effective speed rather than the raw speed.

For example, when you connect with V.42 compression, the maximum effective throughput for a 14.4 Kbps modem is 57,600 bps and for a 28.8 Kbps modem is 115,200 bps. (Obviously a 4:1 compression, since 57.6 = 14.4 * 4). For MNP Class 5 data compression, the maximum effective throughput for a 14.4 Kbps modem is 28,800 bps and for a 28.8 Kbps modem is 57,600 bps. A 33.6 Kbps modem might do a bit better than a 28.8 Kbps modem, but then again, it might not, depending on the quality of your telephone connection.

Set your terminal program to these effective values, as opposed to the 33.6 Kbps, 28.8 Kbps, or 14.4 Kbps carrier, for the best possible performance. (Speeds of 57,600 bps and above are not compatible with all PCs and/or high speed modems; if you have difficulties using the higher speeds, try dropping down to 57,600 or 38,400.)



• For information on modem initialization strings, see the CSO's Modem Resource Page

Common Modem and Dialin Problems:

• If you receive the DISCON or NO CARRIER messages, you should check that your equipment is operating and that all the cables and power plugs are solidly connected.
  
  
• If you have Call Waiting on your telephone line, it should be disabled before dialin. The command to disable call waiting will be listed in your local telephone directory (frequently, what you will have to do is dial "*70" before you dial the telephone number). If you have an autodial modem, you can include this with the telephone number, but you must place a pause between the command and the telephone number. For example: ATDT *70,3126662001
  
  
• If you seem to be connected but are receiving only garbage on your screen, hangup and try again, using a different parity.