Student Network Access Program

Kenyon's residential network program, SNAP, provides access to academic information resources available at Kenyon, at schools in the Five Colleges of Ohio consortium, OhioLINK, and globally via the Internet. Students who have personal computers can use SNAP to take advantage of these resources.

What does SNAP Provide?

SNAP provides wireless access in all residence halls and a network wall jack for each student in the room. Although most students have laptops and use the wireless network, any student who wishes to use wired access may pick up a cable at the HelpLine in Olin and Chalmers Libraries.

Wireless Access

Wireless access is available in all residence halls, academic buildings, and at the Olin and Chalmers Libraries. For Apple laptops, Apple Airport cards have been tested and confirmed to work using OS 10.3 and newer. Windows computers require an 802.11b or 802.11g (WI-FI compliant) wireless network adapter.

To protect the residential wireless data network that all students use from interference and interruption, personally owned wireless devices that broadcast to create networks are prohibited in all College residences. In other words, don't bring your own wireless router to campus! It will interfere with the college wireless system. Wireless network devices are electronic communication devices that broadcast in the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz frequency and include wireless access points, gateways and routers. Occasionally, some wireless printers, cell phones, and digital music devices can also cause interference on the network, and if we detect a problem, we'll let you know. Examples of wireless access points.

Computer Hardware and Software

If your computer does not have either a built-in Ethernet port or wireless access, a Network Interface Card (NIC) must be installed. Wired connections use an Ethernet 10/100-Base-T port. Wireless connections use an 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g (WI-FI compliant) wireless network adapter. We suggest that computers with wireless network cards also have a wired connection for maximum flexibility.

We support Windows based computers running Windows XP or newer, and Macs running OS X 10.3 to 10.5. These operating systems include the necessary components to allow connections to the Kenyon network. For more information, we have provided a list of Suggested Computing Specifications at http://lbis.kenyon.edu/snap/hardware.

Remember to bring all operating system software disks that came with your computer.  This is essential if you should need to reload some or all of your system files in the event of hardware or software problems.

Additional Software Required to Connect to Kenyon's network

In order to protect the College community from rapidly spreading viruses, students are strongly encouraged to run antivirus software on any student-owned computer connected to the network. Kenyon provides antivirus software for Windows at no cost; software will be provided once students arrive on campus. More information about safe and responsible use of the network can be read at http://lbis.kenyon.edu/policies/antivirus. Using up-to-date antivirus protection is critical to keeping your computer functioning well.  LBIS does reserve the right to disconnect any computer which poses a hazard to other computers on the network.

Can I buy a network card or computer at Kenyon?

Kenyon does not sell computer hardware, but miscellaneous computer accessories are available at the Kenyon Bookstore. There are also computer supply stores in Mount Vernon, about five miles from campus, and in Newark, Mansfield, Westerville, and Columbus -- all about an hour's drive away.  Visit these pages for information about local PC and Apple repair businesses.

What technical support services does Kenyon provide?

Library and Information Services (LBIS) staff will provide assistance to students who are experiencing difficulties in accessing Kenyon network resources. Instructions for supported operating systems are available on the web (see Student Network Access Program at http://lbis.kenyon.edu/snap). Using these instructions, most students will be able to connect their computer to the network on their own.

The LBIS HelpLine will assist students in getting their computers connected, through walkup service in Olin and Chalmers Libraries, or over the phone at (740) 427-5700.  Students will be able to schedule an appointment with a LBIS support staff member if connection problems are due to malfunctioning ports or wiring in their rooms.

Because of liability and insurance issues, LBIS staff cannot diagnose or repair problems, install network cards or make other hardware alterations to student computers. LBIS staff has experience in networking all current Windows and Macintosh OS versions; however, we support Windows XP and Vista, as well as Apple OS X 10.3 to 10.5. LBIS does not currently support Linux or older Windows and Macintosh operating systems. We cannot guarantee that every student's computer can be successfully connected to the network, but we will make every reasonable attempt to assist students.

Kenyon Policies

Students who use the network must comply with Kenyon's computing policies. At Kenyon, Internet access for academic purposes has precedence over other types of usage, such as entertainment. Therefore certain types of entertainment related network traffic, such as music and video downloads through file sharing programs, are severely limited. For a full explanation of these policies, see the Policies link on http://lbis.kenyon.edu/policies.

For More information about SNAP at Kenyon:

Check the LBIS Web site http://lbis.kenyon.edu. You will find the link for Residential Network (SNAP), along with other helpful information on this page. You can also email helpline@kenyon.edu or call 740-427-5700 for more information.