Who should I contact for support with Mercer's Information Technology Resources?
Please contact the Help Desk:
Atlanta : 678-547-8989
Macon : 478-301-7000
Click here for information about our services, locations, and hours of operation.
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How can I get help after hours?
Please contact the Student Help Desk:
Atlanta : 678-547-8989
Macon : 478-301-7000
Click here for information about our services, locations, and hours of operation.
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How do I find out my username and password for the Mercer e-mail system?
Your Mercer e-mail account name is your eight-digit Mercer ID number. Your initial password is your date of birth in the following format: YYMMDD. In order to ensure the security of your Mercer e-mail account, you should change your password as soon as possible. Click here to change your password.
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How do I find out my e-mail address for the Mercer e-mail system?
Mercer's Online Directory contains contact information for all currently-enrolled students and all current faculty and staff. You can find out your Mercer e-mail address by searching the directory for your name. Click here to access the Online Directory.
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How do I get access to my Mercer email?
WebMail provides a web interface to your Mercer e-mail account. WebMail is probably the most convenient method of getting your Mercer e-mail since you can use it from anywhere that you have Internet access. It is, however, slower since it requires another server to interface with the e-mail server. This additional step makes the process somewhat slower.
You can also use any e-mail client which supports the IMAP4 or POP3 protocols. Click here for configuration instructions for several popular e-mail clients.
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My email password is not working – what's wrong?
Email passwords are case sensitive – try your password in all lowercase; if that doesn't work, try it in all UPPERCASE. If you still can't get access, please contact the Help Desk at 478-301-7000 in Macon or 678-547-8989 in Atlanta .
Your Mercer e-mail account name is your eight-digit Mercer ID number. Your initial password is your date of birth in the following format: YYMMDD. In order to ensure the security of your Mercer e-mail account, you should change your password as soon as possible. Click here to change your e-mail password.
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What do I need to do to connect to the Mercer network from my dorm room or apartment?
You will need a 10mbps, 10/100mbps, or 10/100/1000mbps Ethernet card in your system. You will also need an Ethernet cable (Category 5 or higher) with RJ-45 connectors. You can purchase one on campus from Auxiliary Services for $10, or you can purchase one at most electronics or office supply stores. Make sure you purchase at least a Category 5 or higher (Category 5E or 6) cable.
- Set up your network card to obtain an IP address automatically (MS Windows DHCP Settings)
- Shut your system down
- Plug the Ethernet cable into your Ethernet card and into the network jack with the blue icon. ( Do not attempt to use a phone cord to connect to the campus network; it will NOT work.)
- Power your system on
Your system should acquire an address automatically and you should have network access. At this point, you will need to complete the Cisco Clean Access authentication and vulnerability assessment on your system. This process has been put in place to help protect your system from viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc. and must be completed before you can access Mercer's residence-hall network. Click here for more information on Clean Access and the process for securing your system.
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Am I allowed to connect a router or wireless access point to the Mercer network?
No. Mercer's Information Technology Access and Use Policy specifically prohibits the installation of any network device which has not been approved by the Department of Information Technology.
“ All network access ports are provided for use with a single computer system. No router, wireless access point, hub, or other network device may be installed in any Mercer facility without prior review and written approval from the Department of Information Technology.”
Click here get a complete copy of the IT Policy. NOTE: This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader; click here if you need to download and install Acrobat Reader.
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I get a message stating that no operating system was found when I boot my system. What's wrong?
Check to make sure that you don't have a disk in your floppy drive, a CD in the cdrom drive, or a USB flash drive plugged in. Your system may try to boot from these other devices. If this is not the cause of the problem, you should contact the Help Desk at 478-301-7000 in Macon or 678-547-8989 in Atlanta.
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Where are the wireless access points on the campuses?
Wireless access is available in the University Center , all of Mercer's libraries, the 24-hour study rooms, and in a number of classroom buildings. The wireless access points in the classroom buildings are generally designated for use in a specific program and may require special permission to gain access.
We are currently working with the Student Government Association to get feedback from the Macon Campus student body on where they would like to have additional wireless coverage.
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How do I get access to Mercer's wireless network?
In order to use Mercer's wireless network, you must first register your computer with Information Technology. At this time, you will need to visit our office to fill out a form and submit it for registration. The registration process will be completed within 1 business day. Click here for information about our services, locations, and hours of operation.
The registration process helps us to ensure that only currently-enrolled students and current employees are able to access our wireless network. This is for the protection and security of your system and Mercer's IT resources.
We are working on implementing a secure mechanism to allow you to register for wireless access without having to fill out and bring a form to our office. As soon as this is in place, we will announce it to the Mercer community.
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Is wireless access secure?
As with any wireless technology there are always security concerns. There is a chance that someone could intentionally intercept the network traffic between your computer and the wireless access point. As with public-access computers in libraries, airports, malls, etc., you should not use the wireless network to send or receive confidential or sensitive information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, social security numbers, or other forms of personal information or identification.
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Why are resident students required to install and use Mercer's licensed version of the LANDesk® Antivirus?
Resident students are required to use our versions of this software because it allows us to centrally manage the configurations for each system on the residence hall network. What this means is that we can ensure that each system is getting regular updates of the virus and spyware definitions and that each is configured to work correctly on Mercer's network. We also have the ability to quickly deploy updates or configuration changes to your system in the event that a new virus or worm outbreak occurs. This gives us the capability to minimize the risk to your system as well as those of your fellow students so that you have consistently reliable network access.
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I've logged into the network, installed Clean Access, updated my system and installed Mercer's Antivirus. Will I have to do this every time I want to access the network?
Clean Access will require you to authenticate (login) to the network every seven days or if your system is shutdown or disconnected from the network for more than 10 minutes. Once you have installed Clean Access and the initial vulnerability assessment has been completed, your system will automatically receive security patches and updates from Microsoft and your virus definitions will be updated automatically as well. Subsequent logins and system scans will go very quickly assuming that there are no new security vulnerabilities on your system. If a new vulnerability is found or additional updates are required, the process to bring your system up to date may take a few minutes to complete but should not take nearly as long as the initial installation process.
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How can I get a copy of Mercer's LANDesk® Antivirus if I live off campus?
We do not offer off-campus residence the LANDesk Antivirus. Antivirus software is provided
to all resident students as part of the Cisco Clean Access installation. Non-resident students are encouraged to purchase a commercially supported version of Kaspersky: http://www.kaspersky.com
A free antivirus alternative by Avast is also available for non-resident students: http://www.avast.com
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My system is updating Windows and I need to go to class. Can I safely shutdown my system?
Yes, you can click cancel and the update process will restart automatically when you reconnect and restart your system.
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My computer is broken. Where can I get it repaired?
There are many businesses in town that can repair your computer. We do not, however, make recommendations on specific vendors. Check the Yellow Page listings or ask other students who are from the area if they can make a recommendation.
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My computer isn't working. Where are the open-access labs that I can use until I get mine repaired?
Atlanta Campus:
Technology Support Services
Swilley Library – Room 110
Click Here for TSS Lab Hours
Macon Campus:
Academic Resource Center
Across from Admissions on the lower level of the Connell Student Center
Click Here for ARC Lab Hours
Jack Tarver Library
Tarver Library Hours
Information Technology Help Desk
Stetson Hall – Room 238 Lab Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.
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What is Ironport?
IronPort is the name of the spam blocker product provided by Cisco Systems, Inc.
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What does the Spam Quarantine Notification report look like?
Below is an example a Spam Quarantine Notification report:
IronPort Spam Quarantine Notification |
The message(s) below have been blocked by your administrator as suspected spam.
There are 1 new messages in your Email Quarantine since you received your last IronPort Quarantine Notification. If the messages below are spam, you do not need to take any action. Messages will be automatically removed from the quarantine after 14 day(s).
If any of the messages below are not spam, click the Not Spam link to have them sent to your Inbox. To see all quarantined messages view your email quarantine.
Quarantined Email |
|
From |
Subject |
Date |
| Not Spam |
Jane Doe <jane_doe@spam.com> |
[SPAM] As seen on TV |
02 Apr 2008 |
View All Quarantined Messages (1)
|
Note: This message has been sent by a notification only system. Please do not reply.
What if I don't receive a Spam Quarantine Notification Report?
This means that you have not received any spam that has been filtered by our system.
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