Getting Connected
When traveling or when away from your office, there are two major ways to connect your laptop/notebook to the network to collect your mail and other activities. The first and preferred is through a broadband connection (wireless, hotel link, other university, etc). The second is through a dial-up connection. In some international countries, dial-up is the only alternative. In those instances, it is recommend that you use a pre-paid calling card and follow the instructions linked at the bottom of the page.
Remember, you can always use Webmail to connect to your Gatorlink mail account or your campus Exchange server (if your server is in Active Directory) from any internet café connection.
Note: exchange and AD link is: webmail.ad.ufl.edu
Off-Campus High Speed Connections To UF
If you have access to a high speed connection, either through DSL, cable modem, or through a wired or wireless network, it is possibly to connect to the University of Florida. For the most direct and secure connection, it is recommended that you use a free program called a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client. This program will allow you connect remotely into the UF network as if you were connecting locally. More detailed information is available here.
High speed connections (wi-fi, cable modem, DSL) can also connect to UF, and using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client program, University Faculty, Staff, and Students can securely "tunnel" into campus over commodity networks, such as the Internet, and access services as if they were on campus. This software is available through OIT Network Services and is strongly recommended for increased security. Detailed downloading, usage, and installation instructions are available for all relevant operating systems from the Network Services VPN Service.
Faculty and staff who are interested in further connection into their department/unit networks should contact their individual network administrator for instructions.
Accessing The Internet Via Dialup Modem
Most modern computers are equipped with a dial-up modem, which is typically all you need to connect to UF. Both Windows and Macintosh computers provide dial up networking software for this purpose. Often, faculty members traveling overseas need to access UF network resources and a dial-up modem along with a telephone calling card is necessary. The IT Technology Hub provides a Software CD which includes this software, along with internet browsers, virus protection, extensive tech tutorials and other vital software, all for a nominal fee. Internet Explorer is provided as part of the Windows operating system but other browsers such as Firefox and Mozilla are also available free of charge on their individual websites.
Select your computer's operating system below for specific instructions on configuring dial-up connectivity:
Your Gatorlink account includes access to a local phone number that provides direct access to the internet.
| Phone Number | 955-0056 |
| Phone Properties | *70, for call waiting 9, to reach an outside line |
| Primary DNS | 128.227.128.24 |
| Secondary DNS | 128.227.148.253 |
For those who need instructions on long distance (or international) modem dialing using a calling card, the University of Illinois has a page that provides information on configuration. The AT Help Desk is also a good resource for people needing tech assistance.
