Lenovo ThinkPad R40 (English) Deployment Guide for IBM Access Connections - Page 7

Chapter 1. Overview IBM Access Connections is a connectivity assistant program which helps to configure various network connections including wireless LANs. Users can create and manage location profiles which helps to store the network and Internet configuration settings that are needed to connect the client computer to a network from a specific location such as home or work. The network connection can be made using a modem, a wired network adapter, a broadband device (DSL, cable modem, or ISDN), or a wireless network adapter. Virtual private network (VPN) connections are also supported. By switching between location profiles as you move your computer from place to place, Access Connections can quickly and easily help users connect to a network without having to reconfigure network settings manually. A location profile supports advanced security settings, default printer, and automatic application launch. Access Connections has the ability to support automatic location switching between Ethernet and wireless LAN connections. Features Access Connections includes the following functions: v Create new location profiles Access Connections provides a wizard that helps you to create location profiles that define all of the settings required to connect to various types of networks. The Connection Status window is opened by default when Access Connections is started. v View location profile and connection status The Connection Status window allows you to view the status of the network connection associated with each location profile defined in Access Connections and allows you to switch between location profiles. When you open the window, status is shown for the network connection and for the components used by the currently applied location profile. v Switch between location profiles Access Connections allows you to change location profiles. You can simply choose another location profile from the list and connect to it. A progress indicator window shows the state of the connection. If the connection fails, a button appears to help you fix the connection. v Search for wireless networks. Access Connections can search for wireless networks that are in range of your wireless adapter. This feature is useful when you are traveling or in a public place and you are not sure about what, if any, wireless networks are available to you. You can attempt to connect to any wireless networks that are found. If the connection attempt is successful, a new wireless location profile will be created using the detected wireless network name and default settings. You can also manually create a location profile for a detected wireless network if you know the appropriate settings. v Automatic switching of location profiles If a network associated with your currently applied location profile becomes unavailable, Access Connection can search for available networks and automatically switch to a matching location profile. You can automatically switch © Copyright IBM Corp. 2004 1