There are many factors that can affect the performance of your computer on the residential network. Please follow this checklist to make sure your computer is configured for optimal performance.

1. Make sure your computer is not infected with a virus.  You can download the Symantec anti-virus software from the Mercer website.  Make sure your antivirus software is updated with the latest anti-virus data files.
   
2. Check to see if your computer is infected with spyware by using one of the tools on our download page.  Next to improperly configured proxy settings, spyware is the most common cause of poor network performance on the residential network.  You should download and install one or more anti-spyware programs and run them frequently to remove spyware infections from your computer.  You should also consider using the Mozilla Firefox browser instead of Internet Explorer because Firefox is not as susceptible to many forms of spyware.

Wireless Network Performance

Most of the rooms and public areas of Mercer's residence halls are covered by the campus wireless 802.11 b/g network.  Your computer must be configured properly in order to access the Mercer wireless network.  Please call the Help Desk at (478) 301-7000 in Macon or (678) 547-8989 in Atlanta for assistance with configuring your computer for connecting to the Mercer wireless network. 

There are a number of factors that can affect the performance of the wireless network such as:

1. 2.4 GHz cordless phones.  The wireless 802.11b/g network operates at 2.4 GHz.  Cordless phones that also operate at 2.4 GHz can cause interference with wireless network signals.  Older cordless phones that operate at 900 MHz and newer cordless phones that operate at 5.8 GHz do not interfere with the wireless data network.  900 MHz and 5.8 GHz cordless phones are permitted but  2.4GHz cordless phones are prohibited  in the residence halls because they can interfere with the wireless network. 
   
2. Microwave Ovens.  These ovens also operate at 2.4 GHz and can interfere with wireless network signals.  Microwave ovens are prohibited except for the ones in the "microfridge" units that you can rent from the Housing Office.  You should be aware that you should not expect to be able to use the wireless network in your room while you are cooking a burrito in the microfridge!
   
3. Personally owned wireless access nodes.  Many students bring their own wireless access nodes to campus and connected them  to our wired network.  If they are not configured properly  these "rogue" wireless access nodes prevent other students from connecting to the Mercer network.  We recommend that students do not bring their own wireless access nodes to campus but if a student does bring a wireless access node to campus we require that the wireless access node be registered with Network Operations and configured properly.
   
4. Personally owned firewall/router devices.  Again, many students bring their own firewall/routers to campus.  If these routers are improperly configured they can become "rogue" DHCP servers and can give invalid IP addresses to other student computers - preventing the other student computers from accessing the Internet.    Mercer  requires that personally owned firewall/routers be registered with Network Operations and configured properly. 
   
5. Bridged network interfaces.  Some students have, perhaps by accident, configured their computers to bridge the Ethernet and wireless interfaces on their computers.  This interferes with connectivity.  If you use the wireless interface on your computer please make user that it is not bridged with the Ethernet interface.