What do I need to get started?

To use IPORT, your computer must have the following equipment:

Microsoft® Windows® 95, 98, or NT® 4.0
10BaseT Ethernet network card
Pigtail (or podule) for your Ethernet card and an Ethernet cable (Check at the hotel front desk if you forgot your 3Com podule or cable)
TCP/IP protocol configured to obtain IP addresses automatically and file sharing disabled (See How to configure the client for details)
Web browser installed (Internet Explorer 3 or 4 or Netscape 3 or 4)
IPORT Microsoft Public Internet Port software installed (click here to download and install the client)

How do I configure my computer to use IPORT?

With version 1.5, your laptop computer will obtain its IP address automatically in order to use IPORT. For security reasons, Windows 95 and Windows 98 users also should disable access to your files while using the Internet (this step isn’t necessary on Windows NT). The procedures for doing this are given next.

Disabling file sharing

To obtain an IP address automatically and disable file sharing, follow these steps:

Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel and double-click the Network icon. Select the Configuration tab in the Network dialog box.
On Windows 95 and Windows 98 only: Click the File And Print Sharing button. If the box next to I Want To Be Able To Give Others Access To My Files is checked, click the box to remove the check mark, and then click OK. Respond to any prompts that appear. (This step was not documented on the hotel room card.)
Click OK.
If asked about restarting the computer, choose Yes.

OK, IPORT is installed. How do I run it?

When you’re ready to connect your laptop computer to the Internet, follow these steps:

If you haven’t done so already, shut down Windows and turn off your computer. Then, connect your 10BaseT network cable to your computer's network card and the IPORT jack in your room. Turn on your computer.
Close all browser windows, if you're using any browsers.
Double-click the Microsoft Public Internet Port icon on your desktop
If you see the message, "We need to reconfigure your system automatically to work with IPORT and then restart your computer," click Yes. The program will update your settings for use with IPORT and restart your computer. (To reinstate your old settings later, simply restart your computer.)
When you see a Web page, follow the instructions on the page. Usually, you'll just have to click a "Connect" button on the page.
Your connection is confirmed, and the IPORT icon on the taskbar shows the green "connection" status.

Congratulations! You now have a high-speed connection to the Internet. Once you’re connected, you can use your Web browser, start your e-mail program, or run whatever software you normally use to cruise the Internet.

How do I disconnect from IPORT?

When you finish using your IPORT connection, close your Web browser if it’s open, double-click the IPORT icon on the taskbar, and then click the Disconnect button in the dialog box that appears. Or, just shut down Windows and turn off your computer.

How do I restore my configuration for returning to the office?

If you removed the check mark in the box next to I Want To Be Able To Give Others Access To My Files, you should restore the file sharing when you return to your office.

To restore these settings, do the following: