..::Connect Your System to the USCA Network::..

CSD Helpdesk FAQ

Connect Your System to the USCA Network

(Updated 08/18/2006)

USCA uses the Cisco Clean Access Agent for network authentication and validation of computers connecting to USCA Network. All laptops and desktops connecting through the USCA Network are required to have the Clean Access Agent installed before they are granted network and internet access.

The Clean Access system helps prevent “infected” computer systems from gaining access to the network and infecting other systems. It does this by requiring each system have the lasted anti-virus software, anti-virus updates and Windows updates, before allowing a system to connect. Mandatory use of the agent has drastically cut incidents of network outages and virus infection across the network. Continued use will ensure a safe, secure and reliable network for you and your fellow students.

The following instructions will guide you through the install of Clean Access Agent and other required software. For best results, continue through each of the four steps in the order presented. We also suggest printing these instructions before beginning installation.

Step One: Connect Your Computer

All apartments in student housing are provided with computer, phone and cable connections. These connections are available through various jack boxes located throughout each apartment.

See the diagrams below for information on correctly connecting your computer. If you are experiencing any issues with your connection, please see the troubleshooting tips at the end of this section before contacting the Helpdesk.

Pacer Downs Jacks

Phone Jack: You should always use Phone1 (the top left blue port) when connecting your phone. Phone1 is active on all three boxes in each apartment.

Data Jack: You should always use the Data1 (the bottom left red port) when connecting your computer or gaming device to USCA Network. Data2 may not be active in all rooms, in all apartments.

Cable TV: The Cable connection can be used for Cable TV in the bedrooms.

Pacer Commons Jacks

Phone Jack: The phone jack is the top white port. It is active on all five boxes in each apartment.

Data Jack: The data jack is the bottom red port. Always use the Data jack when connecting your computer or gaming device to USCA Network.

Troubleshooting

Network/Computer Issues: If you are unable to connect to USCA Network and you suspect the issue may be with your Data jacks, please complete the following troubleshooting steps before contacting the Helpdesk.

Reboot your computer. If this corrected issue, you should be able to continue working without further problems. (If no change, continue to next step)

Disconnect and Reconnect both ends of your data cable. If this corrected issue, you may have a bad data cable. If the issue repeatedly reoccurs, you may want to try a different cable. (If no change, continue to next step)

If there are multiple computers in your room and the other computer is connecting without issue, the data jack the other computer is connected to would be considered a “known good port”. Try connecting your data cable to the known good port. If this corrects issue, you may have a bad data jack or your data jack may have been accidentally turned off. In either case, contact the Helpdesk for further assistance. (If no change, continue to next step)

If you are still unable to connect, please contact the Helpdesk for further assistance at extension HELP (4357).

Step Two: Install Clean Access Agent

Open Internet Explorer.

Click OK on the Security Alert which pops up.

Click Yes on the next Security Alert.

Enter your USCA Network ID and password for the Username and Password.

Click Continue.

Click the Download Clean Access Agent button.

You may see another Security Alert asking if you want to send information over an unsecured connection. If so, click Yes to continue.

Click Run to begin the download and install of the Clean Access Agent.

NOTE: You also have an option to Save the file to your computer and run it from there. However, this is an additional step which is unnecessary and should not be done unless you have been directed to do so by the Helpdesk.

You may see another Security Warning at this point stating that the publisher could not be verified. If so click Run to accept and continue installation.

Clean Access will now begin the installation process.

Click Next on the setup wizard dialog.

NOTE: If you see any Security Warning screens during the rest of the installation, click Yes to continue.

Click Next to accept the default folder location for the installation.

Click Install.

Please wait for the installation to complete, this can take several minutes.

Click Finish to complete the installation.

After the Agent is installed, you may have to wait a few seconds for it to detect your network connection.

Once your connection is detected you may see this Security Alert.

Click Yes to continue with your connection.

You'll now be prompted for your USCA Username and Password. Enter your Username and Password, then click Login.

USCA Username: This is the portion of your USCA eMail address before the @ symbol.

For example if your eMail address is jkdoe@usca.edu you would use jkdoe as your Username.

error-file:tidyout.log

If your Username and Password are accepted, your system will be checked by Clean Access to ensure that it meets the minimum system and security requirements for using the USCA network.

Minimum Security Requirements include: all critical Windows updates, approved anti-virus software, the latest updates for your anti-virus software, and the latest anti-virus definition updates.

If you're system meets the minimum requirements, you'll see a screen telling you that you have successfully logged into the network.

Click OK.

Once successfully logged in you can begin using the Internet as you normally would.

error-file:tidyout.log

If, however, you're system fails to meet the Clean Access minimum Security Requirements a screen stating you have been granted temporary access will be displayed.

See the Temporary Access section below if you have temporary access.

Step Three: Upgrade Clean Access

Several Updates for Clean Access have been released in the past few months.

If you have previously installed Clean Access, you may see this pop-up. If so, click OK so install the required Major Update.

You'll see the screen below. The program may take a minute or two for download.

Click Next, to begin the update install.

Click Next again.

When the screen below is displayed, click Install.

Wait for the install to continue.

You may see a Security Alert window similar to the one shown below. If so, click the Ignore button to continue.

The install will then complete.

When the screen below is displayed, you have successfully updated your Clean Access client. Continue on to the steps below, or complete your login as required.

Step Four: Correct Any Temporary Access Issues

If you see the Temporary Access screen while installing or attempting to log into Clean Access, you have one or more actions which must be completed before your system will be granted access to the network.

error-file:tidyout.log

Click Continue on the Temporary Access Screen.

If you have been granted temporary access, you will see one of the following three messages after clicking Continue.

Choose the message which matches the one you're shown and follow the instructions listed to continue with installation:
Windows Updates
AV-Installation
AV-Defs

error-file:tidyout.log

Windows Updates

If this screen is being displayed you need to install Windows Updates.

All Critical Windows Updates for your version of Windows must be installed before your system will be granted access to the network.

Click Go To Link to open the Windows Update site. At the Windows Update site choose the Express install option and download all available updates.

Normally this process will take less than five minutes. The actual time required depends on several factors such as your connection speed to the internet and the speed of you computer.

NOTE: If this is your first time running Windows Update, it may be twenty minutes to an hour before the updates have completed, you may also have to reboot your system and repeat this process several times.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Microsoft currently only allows valid copies of its Windows Operating System to be updated. When you connect to the Update site, your version of Windows will be checked to ensure it is a valid copy. If the check determines that your copy is not valid (it is installed from a copied disk, has been installed on more systems than authorized by its licensing agreement, or is otherwise determined to be invalid), you will not be able to complete Updates, and as a result unable to connect to the USCA network. This check and the requirements to meet it are determined and controlled solely by Microsoft. USCA has no control over this process and has no way of overriding the check. If you do not have a legal copy of Windows you must purchase and install one before you will be granted access to the USCA Network.

error-file:tidyout.log

AV-Installation

If this screen is displayed, your system doesn't have approved anti-virus software installed.

You must have the latest version of an approved anti-virus program to access the network.

USCA provides all current students, faculty and staff with a free copy of Trend Anti-Virus. Trend can be downloaded from the Software Distribution page within VIP.

To install Trend, please go to the following link: https://vip.sc.edu/ You'll need to login using your VIP username and password (this should have already been provided to you). After logging in, at the main menu select Technology, then click on Software Distribution and choose your operating system from the list shown.

If you have any issues while attempting install, stop by one of the designated Helpdesk areas during "Move-In Weekend", or stop by or contact the Helpdesk at extension 4357 (from on campus) for assistance throughout the school year.

Clean Access does also accept other popular brands of anti-virus software. The latest versions of the following software packages should also work: McAfee Anti-Virus, McAfee Security Center, Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Internet Security, AVAST!, AVG, Sophos, and Computer Associates Easy Anti-Virus. While these packages should also work, CSD and the CSD Helpdesk are only able to provide very limited assistance with these additional products.

Login to VIP using your Identification number and PIN (this should have already been provided to you). Once logged in, you will see the main menu. Choose the Technology option to the left of the screen.

Click on the “Show Me Software Distribution” link.

Click on the link that is appropriate for your Operating System (such as Win XP/2000) and your University status (such as Faculty/Staff or Student)

Read the terms of this software, check the box and click Continue.

* NOTE: TrendMicro Office Scan is not licensed for faculty/staff personal computers. Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to purchase their own antivirus software for computers that are used for non-University affairs.

You will see a screen that provides a link to the software. Click on the link.

A File Download screen will pop-up. Click Run to continue with the download.

This installation may take several minutes before you notice any activity on your computer. This is normal. Please Wait.

If you see this Security Warning screen, please click on the Continue to continue installing Trend on your computer.

Eventually you will see this window pop-up on your screen. The process may seem to hang here for several seconds before continuing. Once this screen passes, Trend has installed successfully on your system but will take several minutes to configure itself.

Once Trend has completed installation and configuration on your system, you will see the blue icon show here in your Task Tray.

Right-click the blue Trend icon and choose Update Now as shown here to begin update.

This screen will be displayed. You must click the Update Now button.

Within a minute or two, you should see this pop-up. Click OK.

Your system should now be fully updated and ready to access the USCA network.

Reboot your system and log into Clean Access to access the USCA network.

error-file:tidyout.log

AV-Defs

If this screen is displayed, your system does not have the latest anti-virus definitions (dat files) installed.

All systems connecting to the network must have the latest dat files installed for their version of anti-virus software. You'll need to run a manual update on your virus-software to correct this issue.

This can usually be done by right-clicking your virus software icon in the task tray beside your clock and then choosing Update or Update Now from the menu.

Step Five: Add Wireless Access

If you have a laptop with wireless networking capabilities, you will need a network security key added to your system before you will be able to connect wirelessly.

Wireless access is available in all public areas of the campus, however, access in individual dorm rooms and dorm areas is not guaranteed and may not be available. We suggest using a network cable for best access while in your dorm room.

To have the security key added to your system, you will need to bring your laptop to the Helpdesk (or to the Helpdesk staff during "Move-In Weekend"). The key cannot be provided to you over the phone and must be input by a member of the Helpdesk staff.

Please ensure you are able to connect to the network using the Cisco Clean Access Agent before coming to have your wireless connection setup.