Minimum Computer Requirements:                                                            Table A

IBM compatible:

Windows 98se, XP:

              128MB of RAM

              Intel or AMD 800MHz processor or better

              CD or DVD drive

              Free PCI expansion slot or

              built-in 10/100 Ethernet

Expansion slot:
      for desktops - one free PCI card slot
      for laptops - one free PC card slot.

Macintosh:

Mac OS 9.2 or higher:

               128MB of RAM

               G3 processor or better

               CD or DVD drive

               built-in 10/100 Ethernet

Buying a new computer?  We Recommend:                                             Table B

IBM compatible:

Windows XP:

              256MB of RAM

              Intel or AMD 1.4GHz processor or better

              CD or DVD drive

              Free PCI expansion slot or

              built-in 10/100 Ethernet

Laptops: If available, we recommend the "built-in wireless" option for any new laptop purchase. Hofstra's wireless network is 802.11B compatible.

Macintosh:
Mac OS X:
               256MB of RAM
               G3 or G4 Processor
               CD or DVD drive
               built-in 10/100 Ethernet

Laptops: We recommend the built-in AirPort wireless option for any new laptop purchase. Hofstra's wireless network is 802.11B compatible.
 

Recommended Network Cards:                                                                  Table C

IBM compatible:

PCI slots:

Linksys -     LNE100-TXU

PC card slots (Laptops):

Linksys -     PCM100 (for wired networks)

Linksys -     PCM100 (for wireless networks)

The Hofstra bookstore carries the above network cards.

Macintosh:

All new Macintosh computers have built-in Ethernet network ports but some require a card or transceiver.  If your Macintosh does not have built-in Ethernet, or you're not sure, then please contact the ResNet office for advice.

Network Cards:

Please read the guidelines below before purchasing a network card.

• ResNet supports network cards from most major manufacturers including Linksys, 3COM, Intel, Xircom, and IBM. We do not recommend the purchase of no-name or generic brand equipment.

• Be sure that the vendor you purchase your network card from has a reasonable return and exchange policy, in case the card you purchase is defective or incompatible with your system.

• No matter where you purchase your card, it is important that you hold onto your receipt.

• If you purchase your network card from an off-campus vendor, be sure to inform the salesperson that you need a 10/100 compatible Ethernet card (for twisted pair wiring).

• When purchasing a network card, be sure that you have been provided with the correct card for your system - PCI card for desktops and PC cards (PCMCIA) for laptops. If you do not plan to install the card yourself, we recommend that you let the installer determine that you have the correct card before unwrapping it.

• The fastest way to get connected to the Hofstra network is to have your network card installed before you move onto campus. Although network card installation is a free service provided to Hofstra students by the ResNet office, we cannot guarantee same-day installation. During the first two months of the fall semester, we often have a one-week waiting period for network card installations.

New computer purchases:

If the manufacturer or dealer of the computer you plan to purchase offers a network card option, then we recommend that you purchase this option.  We make this recommendation for the following reasons.

• The installation of internal components, such as a network card in some desktop computers, will void the manufacturer's warranty.  If the manufacturer or dealer installs the network card, the computer will continue to be covered under warranty (be sure to ask your dealer.)

• There is no guesswork involved when purchasing a network card from the dealer or manufacturer; the card is guaranteed to work in the system you are purchasing.  Although ResNet will provide free installation of a network card, we cannot make any guarantee of compatibility between the computer you own and the cards we recommend.

• Plug and go.  When you purchase a network card from a manufacturer or dealer, the card is pre-installed and configured.  You just need to plug the computer into the network port and you're connected.