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Northern Illinois University

Information Technology Services

Dialing in Using Mac OS X

To set up an Internet connection from a Macintosh OS X system using NIU’s dial-in facilities, you first need to configure the Network settings. Go to the Apple menu (upper left corner of the screen) and select System Preferences. When the System Preferences panel opens up, click on the Network (globe) icon. Put identification information for your NIU account into the TCP/IP and PPP tabs. If the default settings don’t work, you may also need to adjust settings in the Modem tab.

  1. “Configure:” should be set to "Using PPP" (It can be selected from the pull-down menu).
  2. The areas under “Domain Name Servers” and “Search Domains” can be left blank.
  3. Then click on the Save button and allow the changes to be saved.
  4. Next to “Service Provider:”, type “NIU”.
  5. Next to “Account Name:”, put your NDS login ID.

    Students should use their Z ID only (e.g., z901234). Faculty or staff can also use just their login ID in this field as long as they have an NDS (Netware 4.x or higher) password to use in the password field. (Otherwise, authentication can still be made if they have a login ID on another system by adding the system name following an @ sign [e.g., a10xyz1@mvs.cso.niu.edu.)

  6. Next to "Password:" you type in your NDS password. (Faculty or staff without an NDS password should use their password for the system specified in step 5 - e.g., for MVS.)

  7. Only check "Save password" if no one else will be using your system and you don't want to have to put in the password each time you connect.
  8. Next to "Number:" type in: 1-815-753-6600 .

    (If you are outside the local area, toll charges will apply. If you have call waiting, you can turn it off when connecting, by typing: *70,1-815-753-6600 .)

  9. Inside the Applications folder, you should find the Internet Connection application. Open it up and click on the "Connect" button to start the connection process. Watch the Status area for messages. If the connection is successful, you can try out your Internet applications. (Your e-mail software will also need to be configured to point to your post office system and e-mail account.)
  10. Click on "Disconnect" to drop your Internet connection when you're through.

If the modem has not dialed, or has dialed but not made a successful connection, you should check the configuration under the Modem tab of the Network System Preference. Look for the modem driver for your particular modem and select it. Then try again.