Rice/Level(3) Dialup for MacOS 8/9
Rice University has partnered with Level(3) Communications to provide robust local dialup Internet service in Houston and dozens of US cities and towns. This document describes how to obtain a Rice/Level(3) Dialup Account, and how to configure your Mac with MacOS 8/9 to use Rice/Level(3) Dialup.
Requirements
To use Rice/Level(3) Dialup and these instructions, you will need:
- An Apple Macintosh with a telephone modem
- Access to a standard analog telephone line
- The MacOS 8 or 9 operating system
- A Rice/Level(3) Dialup Account
If you have a different computer or operating system, please check for another document for your computer and operating system.
How to Get a Rice/Level(3) Dialup Account
Rice/Level(3) Dialup accounts are available to all current Rice University faculty, staff and students. To apply for a Rice/Level(3) Dialup account, use a web browser to visit
and follow the Account Application link to apply for an account. If you do not have a NetID or LOLA password, you will be prompted to create a password when you apply for the Rice/Level(3) Dialup account. If you already have a NetID or LOLA (Local Owl-Linked) password, you will use that password for your dialup connection.
What Phone Number Do I Use?
Rice/Level(3) offers local dialup numbers throughout the continental US. To find the number for your area, visit the Apply web site:
and log in with your NetID or LOLA password, then go to Account Maintenance, Dialup Phonebook. This page will allow you to search Level(3) local phone numbers by state. If you plan to travel and use Rice/Level(3) local dialup, you should print out the numbers for your destination to simplify the connection process.
At this time, the following phone numbers are used in the Houston metro area. However, these numbers may change. Please consult the Apply web site for the latest phone numbers.
| 281-668-4688 281-968-4336 281-667-4300 281-915-4340 281-377-4254 832-772-4138 832-514-4371 281-573-0066 281-622-4257 832-497-4140 281-241-4281 832-769-4456 281-816-4281 832-838-4139 281-466-4474 832-495-4914 281-973-4302 281-394-4349 832-529-4034 713-893-4584 832-685-4247 281-305-4365 832-604-4093 832-261-4141 281-456-4338 832-735-6021 281-306-4157 832-539-4239 281-201-4209 281-205-4430 832-789-5035 832-626-4034 |
ALIEF ALVIN APOLLO ARCOLA BAMMEL BARKER BAYTOWN BEACH CITY CLEVELAND CYPRESS DEER PARK DICKINSON FRIENDSWD HIGHLANDS HOUSTON HOUSTON HUMBLE KATY LANGHAMCRK LEAGUE CITY LIVERPOOL PINEHURST SATSUMA SEABROOK SHELDON SMITHERSLK SPLENDORA STAFFORD SUGAR LAND TOMBALL VLY LODGE WESTFIELD |
First Time Setup for MacOS 8/9
To connect with your Rice/Level(3) Dialup account, you need to set up
a connection on your computer. If your Mac is already set-up for the old
Rice modem pool, please read the extra notes as indicated.
(1) Open the Control Panels,
in the Apple menu.
(2) Double-click the Modem control
panel icon.
(3) Make sure that your modem is selected from the Modem pull-down menu. Check the other settings and make sure they are appropriate for your location. When finished, close the Modem panel by clicking the close box on the upper left. If you are prompted to Save changes to the current configuration, click Save.
(4) Open the TCP/IP control panel
by clicking the TCP/IP control
panel icon in the Control Panels
window:
(5) Choose PPP from the Connect via menu, then choose Using PPP Server from the Configure menu. Clear the contents of the other
fields (Name server addr., Implicit
Search Paths, and Additional Search domains) by selecting their
contents and pressing the Delete or Backspace key. When finished, close
the TCP/IP panel by clicking the
close box on the upper left. If you are prompted to Save
changes to the current configuration, click Save.
(6) Open the Remote Access control
panel (MacOS 8.5 and up) or PPP
control panel (MacOS 8.0-8.1) by double-clicking the appropriate icon.
The two control panels are very similar, and the instructions in this
document apply equally well to both.
 (for MacOS 8.5, 8.6 and 9) |
 (for MacOS 8.0 and 8.1) |
(7) In the Remote Access or PPP
control panel, enter your Rice username (the portion of your e-mail address
that comes before the @ symbol) and the NetID or LOLA password that you
used to create your Rice/Level(3) Dialup account in the Name
and Password fields, respectively.
Locate a local Level(3) dialup number for your area from the list at the
top of this document, or from the Dialup Phonebook on the Apply web site per the instructions at the
top of this document. Enter this number in the Number field.
(8) In the Remote Access or PPP
panel, click the Options button then click the Protocol tab. Make sure that Allow error correction... and Use TCP header compression are checked. Make
sure that Connect to a command-line host
is unchecked. Rice's old modem pool required this setting, but the new
Level(3) dialup system does not require it. Click OK
to close the Options box.
(9) Your dialup configuration is complete. You may close the Remote Access or PPP panel by clicking the close box on the
upper left, then clicking Save
if prompted to save your changes. Or you may leave the Remote Access or PPP panel open and proceed immediately to the
next section to connect to the Rice/Level(3) dialup system.
Connect to or Disconnect from Rice/Level(3) Dialup
You can connect by opening your Control
Panels (in the Apple menu) and double-clicking the Remote Access or PPP icon.
(for MacOS 8.5, 8.6 and 9) |
(for MacOS 8.0 and 8.1) |
In the Remote Access or PPP panel, click the Connect button.
Your computer will dial the telephone number and you will see a progress
indicator on the Remote Access
or PPP panel.
Your computer should connect to the Level(3) dialup system in 30-90 seconds. When the connection is complete, the Remote Access or PPP panel will show the connect speed and status indicators. The Connect button will turn into a Disconnect button.
You may leave the Remote Access
or PPP panel open while you work
on the Internet, or may close it and remain connected. When you are finished
with your Internet session, return to the Remote Access or PPP panel and click the Disconnect button to hang up the phone.
Changing the Phone Number
When you move or travel, you may need to change the phone number for your Rice/Level 3 Dialup connection. Before you leave for your travel or move the computer, check the Dialup Phonebook on the Apply web site:
You can search for local phone numbers by state. It would be a good idea to print out a copy of the local phone numbers for your destinations, so you will have them on hand.
When you are ready to change the phone number, open your Remote Access or PPP control panel. Enter the local Level(3)
dialup number for your location in the Number field. You can close the Remote Access or PPP panel and save your changes, or you can
connect immediately by clicking the Connect button.
For More Help
If you need help with the connection set-up process, please call xHELP (x4357, or 713-348-4357 from off-campus). You may also request assistance from http://helpdesk.rice.edu or via e-mail at helpdesk@rice.edu.
