iPass - Internet access worldwide with a local call

iPassConnect User Guide Contents:

  1. System Requirements
  2. Installing iPassConnect
  3. Using iPassConnect
  4. Setting your Username, Domain Name, and Password and Modem
  5. Selecting your Modem
  6. Choosing the iPass Access Number
  7. Setting the Dial Properties
  8. Connecting to the iPass network
  9. Disconnecting from the iPass network
  10. Using the iPassConnect Menus
  11. The Options Menu
  12. The Bookmarks Menu
  13. The Help Menu
  14. Updating the Phonebook
  15. Connect Options
  16. Retry a busy number
  17. Configure programs to run after connection (post-connect actions)
  18. Connecting to your Corporate Network
  19. Using a Calling Card
  20. Uninstalling iPassConnect
  21. Dial Up Networking
  22. Verify if DUN is installed
  23. Verify the DUN Version Number (Win95 only)
  24. Install Dial Up Networking
  25. Support and Troubleshooting
1. System Requirements

Your system needs the following minimum requirements:

  • Operating system support for the following versions of Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000: Win95 OSR (original release) with Dial-Up Networking 1.2b or higher (1.3 is the latest).

    • Win95 OSR-1, 2, 2.1, 2.5 (a.k.a. Win95 "Gold")
    • Win98 OSR (with or without Service Pack 1) and Second Edition
    • WinNT Workstation 4.0 and Server 4.0 (with Service Pack 3 or later....5 is the latest)
    • Windows 2000

  • Modem

Note: For Windows 95, we recommend Dial Up Networking (DUN) v1.3 that can be downloaded at ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/msdun13.exe For Windows NT, Service Pack 3 is functional, but is not Y2K compliant. We recommend Service Pack 4+.

To verify you have the correct DUN installed and working see the Dial Up Networking section.

2. Installing iPassConnect

To begin:

  1. Download iPassConnect from your company intranet or service provider web site.
  2. Double-click the executable file.
  3. Follow the directions on the screen.
  4. When the installation is complete, iPassConnect automatically runs. You may choose to connect at this time or click Exit to quit the program.

3. Using iPassConnect

There are five basic steps to connect to the Internet using iPassConnect:

  1. Setting your username, domain name, and password
  2. Selecting your modem
  3. Choosing the iPass access number
  4. Setting the dialer properties
  5. Connecting to the iPass network

Firstly, launch iPassConnect by double-clicking the iPass icon on your desktop.

 

4. Setting your Username, Domain Name, and Password and Modem

To begin:

  1. From the iPassConnect window, open the Options menu.
  2. Select User Info.
  3. Fill in your username and domain (i.e., userid@dircon.co.uk).
  4. To save your password for future sessions, check Save Password.
    The password field becomes writable Ÿ enter your password. (Note: your service provider or network administrator may have disabled the Save Password feature.) Or,
    If you choose to enter your password each time you connect (or the Save Password feature has been disabled), do not enter your password now. You are prompted later.
  5. Click OK.

5. Selecting your Modem

  1. From the iPassConnect window, open the Options menu.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. From the Modem pull-down menu, select the correct modem.
  4. Click OK.

To configure your dialer to retry a busy number, automatically start a web browser on connection, use a VPN or other advanced configurations, see "Connect Options".

6. Choosing the iPass Access Number

There are several ways to pick an access point to dial into:

  1. Enter your physical location in the Country, State/Region and City dialog boxes.
    (Note: These dialog boxes use "type ahead" -- type the first few letters of the word you are looking for), or
    In the Location box, enter the area code where you are or want to dial from. All the available access points in that area code come up.
  2. From the Connection Type pull down menu, select the connection type (modem or ISDN).
    The "iPass access point" list only shows points of presence (POPs) with the specified type of connection.
  3. Select the number to dial.
    The numbers can be sorted by City, Number, Speed and Price by clicking the appropriate header on the "POP number" table, or if you want the dialer to dial all available numbers in turn until a connection is made, click Select All.

Next, you need to set the Dial Properties.

7. Setting the Dial Properties

There are two ways to set the Dial Properties:

  1. Click the Dial Properties button on the iPassConnect window (you must select an access point before clicking Dial Properties), or
  2. In the iPassConnect window, select the Options -> Dial Properties.
    The Dial Properties window appears.

In the General box:

  1. Enter any number needed to dial an outside line (i.e., if you are in a hotel, you need to dial a 9, etc.)
  2. Check the appropriate radio button for pulse or tone dial.

In the Dialing from box:

  1. Check the Location same as selected number if you are in the same area code as the selected number, or
  2. Select the country you are in (Note: This dialog box uses "type ahead") and enter the area code from where you are calling.

If you are using your calling card, see "Connection Options".

Click OK when you are done.

When you are finished filling out the Dial Properties window, the number that will be dialed is shown in the gray dialing preview box at the bottom of the window.

You are now ready to connect:

8. Connecting to the iPass network

To connect to the iPass network

  1. Click Connect.
  2. If you have left out any of the above steps, or need to enter your password each time you connect, you are prompted at this time - enter the relevant information.

9. Disconnecting from the iPass network

To disconnect from the iPass network:

  1. Double-click the iPass icon in the system tray (right-hand corner of the Task Bar).
  2. Click Disconnect.
    The iPassConnect window appears.
  3. Click Exit.

10. Using the iPassConnect Menus

The iPassConnect dialer has three menus.

  • Options menu
  • Bookmark menu
  • Help menu

11. The Options Menu

The Options menu has five selections:

  • Dial PropertiesŸ Select this to configure your location, special prefixes, calling card and more.
  • User Info Ÿ Select this to view the username, domain and password.
  • Settings Ÿ Use this to configure your modem, post connect actions and redial attempts.
  • Update Phonebook Ÿ Select this to manually update your phonebook when you have a connection to the Internet through some device other than your modem (i.e. via LAN access).
  • Exit Ÿ Use this to terminate a connection and quit program.

12. The Bookmarks Menu

To make a bookmark of the numbers you call most frequently:

  1. Complete the directions in "Using iPassConnect" to highlight the number you want to bookmark.
  2. Click Add Bookmark next to the dial preview box at the bottom of the iPassConnect window. (Note: you can also do this by selecting Add from the Bookmark menu).
  3. In the Add Bookmark window, name the bookmark a name of your choice (note: there is a default city name, but you may want to be more specific, e.g., San Francisco St. Francis Hotel vs. San Francisco.

To connect using a bookmark:

  1. On the iPassConnect window, select the Bookmark. Menu.
    A list of bookmarks is shown.

  2. Choose one of the listed bookmarks.
    iPassConnect begins the connection process.

To modify the bookmark list:

  1. On the iPassConnect window, select the Bookmark. Menu.

  2. Select Modify.

  3. Select the bookmark you want to delete or modify. (Note: Delete removes the entry, Modify allows you to change the bookmark name).

  4. Click OK.

Important: Bookmarks can become outdated due to new phone books. If you try to connect to an old bookmark, that number might not be in existence any more - check your current phone book to see if the number is listed as a valid access point.

13. The Help Menu

The Help menu has two selections:

  1. Contents - Select this to view online help. You can also click the Help button on the bottom of each window. This shows information about the functions of that particular window.

  2. About iPassConnect - Select this to view version number.

14. Updating the Phonebook

There are two ways to update the phonebook Ÿ manually and automatically. It is important to update your phonebook on a regular basis. This ensures the numbers in the phonebook are up to date and includes any new numbers that have been added.

To configure your dialer to update your phonebook each time you connect:

  1. Open Options -> Settings.

  2. Select Automatically update phonebook.

  3. Click OK.

There are two options for updating your phonebook manually:

  1. If you have disabled your automatic phonebook updates, you can manually download the new phonebook as you connect. From the Connection Status Dialog (seen as you connect), click Info -> Update Phonebook. Or,

  2. If your phonebook is out of date and you cannot connect to the Internet with iPassConnect to perform a phonebook update, Open Options à Update Phonebook
    This method works only when you already have a connection to the Internet through some device other than your modem (i.e. via LAN access).

15. Connect Options

Below are several connection features.

16. Retry a busy number

To configure your dialer to redial a busy number:

  1. From the iPassConnect window, open Optionà Settings.

  2. In the Redial attempts dialog box, enter the number of attempts.

  3. In the Redial if not connected within, enter the amount of time (in seconds) you want to elapse between each dial. This should be a minimum of 60 seconds in order to give the first dialing sequence time to finish.

  4. Click OK.


16. Configure programs to run after connection (post-connect actions)

To configure your dialer to launch a web browser on successful connection:

  1. From the iPassConnect window, open Optionà Settings.

  2. In the Programs to run after connection box, check Web browser.

  3. Click OK.

To configure iPassConnect to launch other programs:

  1. If not already open, from the iPassConnect window, open Optionà Settings.

  2. In the Programs to run after connection box, click Add.

  3. Enter the description of the program to run.

  4. Click Browse.

  5. Select the program you wish to open after successful connection.

  6. Click Open.

  7. Click OK.

17. Connecting to your Corporate Network

Programs that connect you to your corporate network are called virtual private networks (VPN). You can run your VPN as a post-connect action by selecting it as a Program to run after connection (see above). Depending on the configuration of your VPN you may or may not have to enter another user name and password. Contact your help desk for more information.


18. Using a Calling Card

To use a calling card:

  1. Open Options -> Dial Properties.

  2. Check Use Calling Card.

  3. Click Add.
    The Add Calling Card window appears.

  4. In the Card Name dialog, enter name of the calling card.

  5. In the Dial Sequence dialog, enter the phone number to dial for the calling card. This can be any combination of the below symbols (also can be seen if you click Symbols). For example, if the instructions for your calling card reads "Dial 1 800 222 5050 + PIN + area code + phone number", your dial sequence will be 1 800 222 0505 HFG.

    Symbol

    Meaning

    E

    Country code

    F

    Area code

    G

    Phone number

    H

    Card number (PIN)

    P

    Pulse-dial subsequent numbers

    T

    Tone-dial subsequent numbers

    W

    Wait for second dial-tone

    ,

    Pause (approx. 1 second)

    !

    Flash

    @

    Wait for quiet answer

    $

    Wait for calling card prompt tone

    ?

    Wait for user input


  6. Click OK.

The calling card number is shown in the dial preview box.

To modify a calling card entry:

  1. Open Options -> Dial Properties.

  2. Check Use Calling Card.

  3. From the pull-down menu, select the calling card you want to modify.

  4. Click Modify

  5. Make the necessary changes

  6. Click OK.

To delete a calling card entry:

  1. Open Options -> Dial Properties.

  2. Check Use Calling Card.

  3. From the pull-down menu, select the calling card you want to delete.

  4. Click Delete.

19. Uninstalling iPassConnect

To uninstall iPassConnect:

  1. Open Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.

  2. Select Add/Remove Programs.

  3. Select iPassConnect from the list.

  4. Click Add/Remove.

  5. iPassConnect is removed.

20. Dial Up Networking

To check if Dial Up Networking (DUN) is installed or needs to be installed (Win95/98 users):

  1. Open Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Select the Windows Setup tab.
  3. Double-click Communications.
  4. Look for Dial Up Networking.
  5. Verify Dial Up Networking is checked.
  6. Click OK.
  7. On the Windows Setup tab, click OK.

    If DUN is unchecked, check it.

 

To check if Dial Up Networking (DUN) is installed or needs to be installed (WinNT users):

  1. Open Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network.
  2. Select the Services tab
    Remote Access Service is installed if it is displayed in the list

If it is not there you need to install it:

  1. Open Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network
  2. Select the Services tab.
  3. Click Add and add the Remote Access Service from the Networks Services list. This process requires the Windows NT CD-ROM.
    1. Select your modem from the list when the Add RAS Device window appears
    2. Click OK.
    3. In the Remote Access Setup window, click Configure
    4. Select Dial-out only for port usage
    5. Click OK.
    6. Click the Network button.
    7. In the Network Configuration window, select TCP/IP .
    8. Click OK.
    9. Click Continue. You are prompted for the Windows NT CD-ROM again,
    10. When finished, select OK and reboot the PC when prompted.
  4. After installation is complete, reapply the Service Pack. Note: Windows NT Service Pack 5 is the latest and is available from http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/recommended/sp5/
  5. Install and Configure the iPass client

21. Verify the DUN Version Number (Win95 only)

On Win95, the DUN upgrade version can be viewed in the Add/Remove Programs list.

The proper DUN is already installed on Windows 98.

22. Install Dial Up Networking

23. To install DUN v1.3 for Windows 95

  1. Download the .exe file from ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/msdun13.exe
  2. Follow the installation instructions.

24. To install DUN for Windows 98:

  1. Open Add/Remove Programs -> Windows Setup -> Communications -> Dial-Up Networking.
  2. Insert Win98 CD when prompted.
  3. Follow instructions on the screen.

25. Support and Troubleshooting

Below are frequently asked questions about using the iPass service. If our troubleshooting tips don't help resolve your issue, please contact Netscalibur's helpdesk.

Difficulty connecting to the access number

Try an alternate number within the region you are traveling. If you can connect to another number it may indicate the initial access number is temporarily unavailable.

Make sure you dial the required prefixes and local dial code for the region. Many hotels require you to dial a number to get an outside line. Also, pick up the phone and dial the number yourself Ÿ you may hear a message explaining the problem Ÿ e.g., the hotel PBX system is overloaded.

Make sure you have the correct modem specified.

No dial tone or modem sound

Make sure there is a phone line, the phone line is good, and the phone line is connected to the computer and the phone jack.

Check to see if your modem is turned on and connected to your computer and the phone system.

Make sure the modem volume is not turned off or disabled.

If the system is digital (versus analog), you need a special adapter to connect. You could also request access to a fax line, as it must be analog to function.

Sometimes dial tones from different parts of the world are interpreted differently by your modem (e.g., your modem "thinks" the phone is busy, when in reality it is a pulsing dial tone. Try setting your Windows software to not detect a dial tone when dialing:

  1. Open Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Modems.
  2. On the Modems Properties window, highlight your modem and click Properties.
  3. Click the Connection tab and uncheck "wait for dial tone before dialing."
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. In the Extra Settings box, enter ATX3
  6. Click OK until you can close out of the Modem Properties window.
    On some machines, you need to reboot for changes to take effect.

Check your dialer properties to see that you have the correct modem selected.

You may not have a modem in the computer; if that is the case you need to install one.

Continuing to hear loud modem noise while trying to connect

The phone line might already be in use.

The modem volume may be set too loud; turn down the volume.

The modem may not be negotiating properly; manually set the modem (contact your helpdesk for support).

Error message saying incorrect password

Verify and re-enter the login/password (for possible typos made while entering username, domain and password).

Make sure your CAPS LOCK key is not depressed (or depressed if you have all caps in your username and password).

It is possible that the authentication server or iPass RoamServer at your ISP or company may be down or offline; check with your helpdesk.

Your user account may no longer be active. Check with your helpdesk.

Busy signal when trying to dial in

Try to connect through another number, or if that is not an option, wait a few minutes and try connecting again.

Sometimes dial tones from different parts of the world are interpreted differently by your modem (e.g., your modem "thinks" the phone is busy, when in reality it is a pulsing dial tone. Try setting your Windows software to not detect a dial tone when dialing:

  1. Open Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Modems.
  2. On the Modems Properties window, highlight your modem and click Properties.
  3. Click the Connection tab and uncheck "wait for dial tone before dialing."
  4. Click OK.

Password authentication is slow (e.g. more than 60 seconds)

It is possible that the authentication server or iPass RoamServer at your ISP or company may be down or offline; check with your helpdesk.

You may have a dial script problem. See "Dial scripts are not running properly" below.

There could be an iPass software error. Upgrade the iPass software to the newest version or contact your helpdesk.

Dial scripts are not running properly

As a user you cannot tell if your dial scripts are running correctly. Dial script problems could result in a bad password message, busy signal, wrong number being dialed and more. The best way to prevent a scripting failure is to enter the access point number through the phone book. Ÿ do not manually enter the access number, even if you memorized the number. By entering the phone number through the phone book, you are attaching the correct dial script.

If you feel you are missing the dial up scripting tool, check and see if the scripting tool is installed. Find and run iswscpt.exe.

No answer/human answer

Try dialing into another number; the access number you are dialing may be inactive or temporarily unavailable. The iPass service offers multiple access points in major business centers.

Update the phonebook in your iPass client software. If you do not have client software that has an automatically updating phonebook, then you should manually update your phonebook monthly. Contact your helpdesk for more information.

If you have hand edited the phone number, try creating a new connection from scratch.

Check to make sure the dial properties are filled out correctly.

No local access number in your location

In some instances, you may not find a particular city listed in iPassConnect, but there might be numbers local or close to where you are. Check if there are other cities within the same area code. These might be local numbers.

If you are in the United States, you can use the 800 number or an access number to the nearest city.

If you are outside of the United States, check in-country rates with the local operator. In many countries, it is very inexpensive to dial long-distance within the country.

Connection drops/disconnects in the middle of a session

This is most often a result of electro magnetic interference (EMI) or a "noisy" phone line. This happens most frequently in countries with poor telecommunications systems or when the line you are trying to connect to has audible interference. Try redialing the access number.

If you remain connected to the Internet but are inactive, some access points automatically disconnect you.

If you remain connected to the Internet but are inactive, your PC might be set to automatically disconnect you.

Access to the web is slow

Electro magnetic interference (EMI) -- a "noisy" phone line -- often causes slow transmission speed; this is often the case when you are connecting from a hotel. This can cause modems to connect at a slower baud rate because the modem has to correct for data errors.

Screen is blank

Check that the computer is plugged into an electrical outlet and the monitor is turned on.

The monitor may be in "sleep" mode; wake it up by moving the mouse or pressing the Enter key.

 

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