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In this demonstration we learn how IBM Access Connections provides the ability to manage a wide variety of external connections simply by selecting a profile.

Here are some of the ways IBM Access Connections can help you get connected and stay connected: It automatically manages your basic network connections even if you use static or dynamic IP addresses in different locations. It manages your printing by automatically reassigning the default printer to match your location. It automatically adjusts your network configuration to match the IT needs of each location such as: What locations require a VPN; when you need file and printer sharing or an Internet connection firewall enabled; when you need a proxy server or need to change the Internet Explorer home page.

Once the profiles are created simply select a profile and let Access Connections do the rest. Even when you move between a wireless LAN and a wired LAN Access Connections is smart enough to make the appropriate connection. In many situations you can rely on IBM Access Connections to automatically switch to the proper profile depending on the type of communications it picks up when the machine is booted. For example if the system detects a wireless LAN during boot it will detect if it has a profile that matches the criteria for that location and automatically select that profile.

IBM Access Connections also is designed for easy administration. In this demonstration we will show the steps necessary to configure a wired connection. The next module will demonstrate the installation of a wireless connection and examine available diagnostics. For this demonstration the Access Connections program has already been installed.

When you start the Access Connections configuration program the Welcome screen offers two options: Learn more about networking which will open the help file for Access Connections and Import location profile(s) from a file. Click Next to continue.

The Choose Your Connection Type screen is displayed. Item 1 asks to name this Location Profile. Select a name that will identify this profile based on its location such as Home or Office. For our demonstration we will name this profile work desk.

Item 2 asks to select the type of connection. If you leave the selection at Best Available Wired or Wireless the program will attempt to determine the most logical settings to use depending on the communications sources that are available either wired or wireless. If you have the system connected to an ethernet LAN and wireless is available in the area the system will choose the wired connection because it would be the “best connection available.” Since this is an office environment we will select wired Ethernet for our connection.

Item 3 provides an optional setting to allow you configure a VPN or virtual private network. We will leave this selection unchecked because at this point we are inside the network firewall.

Finally Item 4 allows the system to capture the current settings for the current environment. This is handy if you are willing to accept all the default settings for your connection. These settings assume you are in an environment where dynamically assigned IP and DNS entries are used. In our case we will leave this unchecked which will allow us to go through the specific settings for this connection

https://webdoc.lenovo.com.cn/lenovowsi/cskb/data/2006-07-24/20041/Access Connections creating a profile movie part 1 of 2 - ThinkVantage Technologies.swf