College offices & labs - network connection requirements

Below is as list of the general requirements for connection to the College network in College offices and labs. See the network connection requirements for the TCDconnect service if you need details on connecting to the the self-service TCDconnect system in College residences and the student wireless network.

• Only holders of valid College usernames can request connection to the teaching and research network
• All users are obliged to read and be familiar with the terms and conditions of connecting to the network
• Your computer must conform to the minimum software and hardware requirements listed below
• You will need a network card in order to connect to the network. A modem will not perform this function. USB dongles are not supported on the college network.
• Users requiring connection to the wireless network should be aware that there are wireless network card requirements
• Unless you are using the wireless network you must have access to a live network point and you will need a network cable
• Staff or postgraduates wishing to connect a printer to the College network in offices and labs should refer to the web page on network printing
• Staff wishing to connect a server to the College network should refer to our documentation regarding server procurement and setup

Software Requirements

Operating System Language

The preferred language of the operating system should be English/Irish. Users running non-English/Irish versions of Windows must be aware of some important security information. You must have your operating system CD during the network configuration as you may be asked for some files from it.

Supported Operating Systems

• Supported PC Operating Systems
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows XP Professional*
  • Linux (limited support)
    
    *No new Windows XP network connections will be accepted after May 31st 2013 - please see our Windows support statement.
    
    
• Supported Apple Mac Operating Systems: OS X versions 10.3 - 10.8
  

• Supported Mobile Devices Operating Systems: iOS 4.3 or later, Android devices running Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) or later
  

Hardware Requirements

Minimum device specifications supported by IS Services:

• PC running Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8 Pro
  Minimum of 4GB RAM
  Minimum Hard Disk size of 40GB
  Minimum processor speed 2GHz
  
  
• PC running Windows Vista Business
  Minimum of 2GB RAM
  Minimum Hard Disk size of 40GB
  Minimum processor speed 2GHz
  
  
• PC running Windows XP Professional*
  Minimum of 128MB RAM
  Minimum Hard Disk size of 4GB
  Minimum processor Pentium III 500 MHz
  
  *No new Windows XP network connections will be accepted after May 31st 2013 - please see our Windows support statement.
  
  
• Mac running OS X
  G3 processor
  Minimum of 128MB RAM
  Minimum Hard Disk size of 3GB
  
  
• iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch running iOS 4.3 or later
  
  
• Android devices running Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) or later.
  

Network Card Requirements

Wired network cards

In order to connect your computer to the College 'wired' network you will need a network card, also known as an ethernet adapter. All new Apple Macs (excluding Mac book Air’s) come with the network card pre-installed. All PC's purchased through the College PC suppliers with the pre-installed College image also come with a network card by default. To verify that you have a network card, look at the rear of the computer and you should see a port for a network cable. USB dongles are not supported on the college network.

Wireless network cards

Most new and recent laptops will have a wireless network card, or wireless ethernet adapter installed. Most wireless network cards with the WiFi Logo on it should be able to connect to the College wireless network.

Specifically your wireless card must be WPA Enterprise compatible (also known as WPA with TKIP). There is a tool available on the WiFi Alliance website which will allow you to determine if your wireless card meets this requirement.

Since 7th June 2012 support for legacy 802.11b wireless adapters has been discontinued. Users with such wireless adapters will not be able to connect to College wireless network services and so are advised to purchase a new wireless network adapter, or to check if their current adapter can be switched to 802.11g.

If you need further assistance with regards to wireless network card compatibility please contact the IS Services Helpdesk.