Tag Archives: network

Make Tech Easier

“Can I block site XYZ at the house?”

SCROLL DOWN FOR ADDITIONAL IDEAS, posted March 2020

The iPad Guy has had several parents ask if such-and-such a site can blocked at home for the iPads.

That is indeed doable, but only on the network at the house. It is not something the school can do for you.

You need a wireless router that includes a feature that is usually called “parental controls” or similar. [Here’s an Amazon Link]. Usually the network cable that comes from the wall plugs into a cable modem [or other box provided by your service provider], and then the wireless router plugs into the network jack on that box.

You’ll have some configuring to do – the routers all work somewhat differently. I suggest doing a Web Search for your router model plus “how setup parental controls”. [LIKE THIS, for example].

As an example, here is a detailed document that steps you through setting up Parental Controls on a TP-Link Archer router:  https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1155/

Some families would find it useful – especially if there is a home business involved – to have TWO wireless networks available – one for family, one for business, for example. Some wireless routers have that capability – some others can have a “guest” network that you can password protect that could be used for that purpose as well.

A last word about costs:

These kind of features are NOT found on the less expensive routers. You will probably pay over $100 for that feature set.

…and please use a good quality surge protector on the router – NOT a $10 one. You are protecting a critical part of your network, so it is worth spending more to make sure the thing KEEPS working!

Here is another option:

1.
Another options is to use OpenDNS [ https://signup.opendns.com/homefree/ ] on your network. Start with the free account, and then upgrade to the paid one if necessary.
Here is why this looks promising:
  • With over 50 customizable filtering categories, OpenDNS Web content filtering keeps parents in control of what websites children visit at home.
  • OpenDNS blocks phishing websites that try to steal your identity and login information by pretending to be a legitimate website. Surf the Web with confidence.
This will require changing some network settings to use them for DNS [think of it as an internet phonebook]. Do a web search for your router model and how set DNS” – you can often find detailed directions there.
Faculty, iPads, Student

No connection to Wi-Fi – Access Denied

This is what the signin screen looks like
This is what the signin screen looks like

If your subscription to the wireless network has expired [it does this every 30 days] AND you have tried to login but keep getting the “access denied error” [a BIG RED BAR across the top where you tried to login], try this:

 

  1. Turn off Wi-Fi (Under settings) and WAIT 15 SECONDS (yes, you have to count).

  2. Turn Wi-Fi back on and select the MDS-Student network.  Wait until you see that network showing next to Wi-Fi on the left.
  3. Load safari and go to www.cnn.com or hamsandwichtees.com or untuxable.com– at this time you will be prompted for your logon/password. After you login and receive a message that you are able to use the network, close that screen.

  4. For a double-check, go to mail and make sure you have a connection – either swipe down for new messages or try to compose a message to yourself as a test.

 

Reason you lost connectivity????????

Meraki (a software that runs in the background – not an app you regularly use – and our wireless network) requires the user (you) to login to reauthenticate  each 30-45 days.  This application is one of many that keeps our digital system working well for our users and keeps others out of our digital system.

Want more details?????????

http://tech2.mountdesales.net/blog/2015/ipad-not-working-cant-get-on-the-web/ has more information.

Essentials, Faculty, iPads, Student, Students

iPad not working? Can’t get on the Web?

If your iPad

  1. can’t get on the web
  2. can’t access your eText
  3. can’t fetch email

….or do anything else that required network access to the outside world, most likely your subscription to the MDS network has expired. This happens every 30 days – it’s a network security thing.

Here’s what to do:

  • Try to access a website that is OFF-campus [moodle is on-campus, so it won’t help] AND that you haven’t visited before. Maybe this one?
    OR
  • Go to Settings–>Wi-Fi–>MDS-student and click FORGET THIS NETWORK. Go back to the list of networks and select it again.
    OR
  • Swipe out of all your running apps. REboot the iPad by holding down the Power button until the “Swipe here to turn off your iPad” slider comes up. Swipe it. Once it is done shutting down – it takes about 60 seconds – turn it back on.

What you are trying to do with all of this is to get the “Welcome to the MDS Network” screen to come up. Once it does, you login with your MDS number and your Moodle password.

CLICK HERE to see what to do if you keep getting the “Access Denied” message when logging in.

This is what the signin screen looks like
This is what the signin screen looks like. Click to see a bigger version.