Frequently Asked Questions

1. Monash dial-up service call charges

STD and IDD Rates

I live outside the metropolitan area, how do I know if I am paying STD rates for my call?
If you are dialing from outside the metropolitan area to an area inside there is a possibility that you could be being charged at STD rates. Contact Telstra on 132200 if you are unsure what costs you will incur.

I intend taking my laptop overseas, I hope to use it at my destination to access Monash, what should I consider?
Is the power supply in the country you are visiting of the same voltage as Australia, if not can your power supply be adjusted to conform to the destinations countries power supply standards.
Is your modem type compatible with the telecommunication system in the destination country? Will you be using international long distance dialing to connect back to Monash or will you have a local point of connectivity?

2. Modem and disconnection problems

What is 56K?
56K is a general term given to the new generation of modems. These new generation modems deliver speeds of up to 56Kbps, almost twice the capacity of conventional 28.8Kbps modems. Although the name suggests an actual doubling of speed this is not the case, several real-world limitations restrict the maximum rate of 56K to an actual speed of around 53Kbps, and that is under ideal connection conditions. Add to this the fact that 56K was designed to work in one direction only, that being from your ISP to your computer and a more likely connection speed would be in the region of 42 - 46K

I have a 56K modem, and so does a friend, can I dial their PC and get a connection speed of 56K?
No, the type of technology used in 56K modems is not designed for 'peer to peer' type calls. The best connection speed you could expect will be approximately 33.6K, even if both modems are rated at 56K.

Things that can affect modem connections:

Noise caused by devices on the telephone line:
Try disconnecting all devices from the line, including FAX machines, answering machines, portable phones, and other telephones.

Poor quality telephone line:
Try listening carefully when you next on the phone to a friend. If you hear any signs of Noise or ''electrical interference'', then it will almost certainly be the cause of disconnection.

Radio towers and CB radios:
Having these nearby can cause problems, especially in the case of ''Internal modems'', as the computers case acts as an antenna. External modems are less affected by HF interference because they are sufficiently shielded.

Very slow computers:
If an application on your computer takes a long time to load, you may find yourself disconnected. For example if a connection is idle, an echo is sent to your PC which then in turn is expected to respond. If, after a predetermined number of response failures, the dial in system assumes that your modem is no longer connected and the call is terminated. This type of loading time problem usually affects 486 or older computers that have insufficient system resources, for example Netscape will take forever to load on such a PC.

Poor quality modems:
Some ''El Cheapo'' modems have trouble under some circumstances. If you have an Austel approved modem, you have a good chance of having a decent quality one. Some modems purchased overseas do have problems in Australia.

Connections at Low Speed:

If you keep getting connected at 26400 or 24000 or lower!, it will be for one of the following reasons:

Poor Line Conditions:
The modems attempt to connect at the highest speed possible for correct data transfer. V.34 28.8k modems will connect at 28.8k only if the phone line conditions are ideal, and the modems are fully compatible. Quite often, a V.34 modem will connect at 26400, 24000 or even lower if the telephone line isn't up to standard.

Modem Incompatibility:
There are several modems available in Australia that are not of sufficient quality. Genuine brand name modems will give you the least problems, it boils down to the adage, You get what you pay for. Furthermore there are a few modems that will not communicate correctly as not all hardware is compatible.
Always purchase an Austel approved modem.

Line Noise:
Any line noise can, and usually does affect connection speed, but is more likely to cause the modem connection to drop out. Try removing all devices such as telephones, portable phones, FAX machines and answering machines from the phone line, except the modem. One brand of phone, the TouchPhone 200, causes a great deal of hum on the line. Unfortunately, Telstra will only guarantee a stable data connection over a standard telephone line of 2400 baud. As a test, it pays to attach a phone to the line and make a voice call; listen carefully to noise, crackles and hum - if any is audible, it will most likely affect the modem. Port Speed: The serial port speed should be locked at a rate of 38400 or higher. A port speed of 57600 is usually preferred. Incompatible compression/error correction protocols This is not usually a problem with Austel approved modems, but disabling compression can sometimes help with drop outs on poor quality lines, or cheap modems.

3. Passwords for Staff

Which password do I use?

To access the modem service you will need your Authcate username and password.

AuthCate, what is it?, Does it apply to me?
Authenticate or AuthCate as it is termed here at Monash is the means by which restriction is placed upon University staff/student only web pages. It enables your identification to be validated against a database, thus enabling you access to the page you are requesting. All Monash staff and current students have a AuthCate Username and Password. If you are not sure, please contact your local IT Support person or the ITS Service Desks.

How do I change my Authcate password?
It is recommended that you consciously change your password every 2 months for security.
To do this go to http://www.its.monash.edu.au/staff/accounts/passwords/index.html or talk to your local TWP representative

Dial-up for Staff