Internet Access without VPN Client

Hey,

Since so many people asked me about the possibility to get internet access within INF 129 without using the cumbersome and slow method via a VPN client, I wanted to give a manual how to get access using an alternative which is way faster and more reliable. The uni-network's speed is relatively high, but as far as I know the VPN servers are a bottleneck. The method I'm going to present is avoiding this via using an authentication protocol called 802.1x. This is similar to a wifi authentication, just for a wired network. Don't be scared, it's quite easy, just takes some clicking around.
I'll explain it step by step with screenshots from the German version of Windows 7 (btw: you can get a free copy of Windows 7 at the URZ at  http://www.urz.uni-heidelberg.de/programme/msdnaa.html ). I'll provide a translation where I think it would be necessary.

A similar tutorial for Macs can be found here (I couldn't test it though):
http://www.uio.no/english/services/it/network/student-residential-network/instructions/mac10-5/

A German tutorial is provided by the URZ here: http://www.urz.uni-heidelberg.de/zugang/dot1x/

To my knowledge, this method works only at INF 129 so far and not at the other dorms.


Update (18.02.2012)
I added an alternative to step 9, which corresponds to the one from the URZ howto. The original version works with me though.

1.

Press the Windows Key + R
A window will show up.
Type in "services.msc".





2.

In the list, look for "Wired AutoConfig" (German: "Automatische Konfiguration (verkabelt)" ). Double-click on it.

3.

Select "Automatic" at "Startup type", then "Start" and confirm by clicking on "OK".

4.

Right-click on the network icon in the task bar. Select "Network and Sharing center".

5.

Select "Local Area Connection".

6.
Click on "Properties" in the following window:

7.

There, select "Authentication":

8.

Check everything according to the screenshot below, then select "Settings".

9.

Select "Deutsche Telekom Root CA 2" under "Trusted Root Certification Authorities", then "Configure ...".

Alternative:

10.

Uncheck the checkbox here.

11.

Almost done! Click "Ok" in both windows. You should be back here:

Click on "Additional Settings".

12.

 Here, select "user authentication" :

13.

After clicking "Ok" here and in the Properties-windows. The following window should pop up:

Type in your URZ account data.

14.

Select "Public Network" in the following window:

This is it! Enjoy!

2. Heimversammlung / 2nd Dorm Meeting

Hey people of INF 129,

Here's the summary of the second Heimversammlung:

• One of the main points was, that the effort to improve the social life at the dorm was acclaimed and the Heimsprecher want to keep the opportunity to meet Thursdays in the common room.
• Remember that you'll have to hand in your certificate of enrollment ("Immatrikulationsbescheinigung") soon. You'll be notified via mail and postings at the entrance.
• The dorm party was a huge improvement to the last ones (at least that's my opinion). The christmas party was also well received.
• The removal of the bikes which are still marked with warning tape will start soon.
• After the problems with the dryers last semester, the elevators started to have more and more issues the last months. However, they should be fixed now and hopefully work for some time ...
• If you haven't done it yet: Please donate 5€ or more at the Heimkasse (treasurer). As last semester, Florian Mulks is reponsible for this.

Besides these points, the usual administrative matters were handled:

• Election of the new Heimsprecher (~dorm spokesmen) : Inna Krieger, Stefan Kattner and Stefan Lindner
• Election of the Heimkasse: Florian Mulks
• Assignment of the Sonderaufgaben

Heimversammlung / Dorm Meeting

Hey,

This is supposed to be a summary of the last dorm meeting. Basically, we discussed six items:

Gemeinschaftsraum / Common Room

To actually make use of the common room on the first floor, the dorm representatives ('Heimsprecher') had the idea to have weekly get-togethers (movie nights, playing board games ...) there. This is supposed to be a 'take it easy' gathering instead of a bar night like in INF 133. In order to have a little bit more comfortable furniture, the Heimsprecher bought new couches. However, they are still looking for couch tables. If you know a cheap way to get one, let the Heimsprecher know. Also, a big help would be car, so, if you are willing to drive around furniture or know a nice person with a car who is willing to help us out, let us know.This would be very much appreciated.
It is planned to open the common room every Thursday at 8 pm (starting 27.10.).

Stockwerks-Tauschbörse / Swap List
You know the problem: The apartments are tiny and over time you accumulate more and more stuff which is taking more and more space. That is why the Heimsprecher came up with the idea to share items among apartments on the same floor. A List will be put up on every floor and you can write down what you are willing to share, for example bike tools or a vacuum cleaner.

Junk Mail
The mailboxes are often crammed with junk mail although it says above the mailboxes that is forbidden to put leaflets etc. in them. Since the basket was stolen (!?), a card box will be put there, so you can conveniently discard the junk mail in front of the mailboxes.

Bike Room
As you may have noticed, there are lots of unused bikes in the bike room. The attendants agreed that these bikes in the bike room and at the bike racks in front of the building should be removed so there is more space availabe. The details will be discussed with the janitors. Any action in this regard will be announced way ahead, so don't worry. If you are living in INF 129 and use your bike from time to time, you are fine.

Laundry Room
Neverending story: the dryers are still malfunctioning. Apparently somebody was so frustrated that he used force (without success) to get them to work. This damaged the electronics in such a way that they don't work at all now. The janitors are going to repair them in a couple weeks, but it is unclear whether this will also cure the regular "F66" error messages.

Front Door
To restrict the entrance to the dorm, the attendants voted unanimously for keeping the front door locked. If you notice that the door is unlocked, please push the little lever within the lock down, so it stays locked again.

Cheers,
Chris

How international is the "International House" really?

Walking in the dorm, greeting people and looking at the mailboxes, I often wondered: Why do I encounter so many Germans? Isn't this dorm supposed to be an "International House", which should especially have a majority of foreign residents? Does it deserve its name?
I got the stats for you. Let's take a look:

Residents per country
Europe in detail

In a pie chart:
I find two facts suprising:

• No people from Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Scandinavia or Spain have their home at INF129. I could have bet that there would be at least one person from these countries living in this dorm. Ok, I know, your countries are nice places, but why not come to Heidelberg :)?
• Chinese are usually the biggest group (everywhere :) of the international crowd, but here it is people from the US! I guess Heidelberg is pretty popular there :)

Is this worth the title "International House"? Hardly. However, I have to admit: The 30% international people are pretty diverse. In any case, I hope there will be more opportunities to bring the German and non-German people together. My year abroad in the US was unquestionable one of the best years of my life so far and a big part of it was meeting people from different countries with different cultural backgrounds. Meeting people here could be the cheapest student-exchange you will ever have.