Configuring a Dial-Up Connection

After installing the computer's modem, the administrator can configure a dial-up connection. Windows XP allows an unlimited number of dial-up connections to be set up. For example, a user may have dial-up connections to multiple dial-up servers at different corporate sites, as well as a dial-up connection to an ISP. The following procedure outlines the steps involved in setting up a new dial-up connection.

1. Click on Start/All Programs/Accessories/Communications and then select New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard starts.
2. Click on Next.
3. Select the Connect to the network at my workplace option and click on Next.
4. Select the Dial-up connection option and click on Next.
5. Type a descriptive name for the connection and click on Next.
6. Type the telephone number belonging to the dial-up server and click on Next.
7. The New Connection Wizard displays a summary of the information that it has collected. Click on Finish to set up the new dial-up connection.

Starting a Dial-Up Connection

An icon representing the new dial-up connection is created and placed in the Network Connections folder. The following procedure outlines the steps involved in using the new dial-up connection to establish a dial-up session.

1. Open the Network Connections folder by clicking on Start and then right-clicking on My Network Places and selecting Properties.
2. The Network Connections folder appears, showing the new dial-up connection icon.
3. Double-click on the dial-up connection's icon.
4. Type the username and password of an account that is allowed to log on to the dial-up server.
5. Optionally, select the Save this user name and password for the following users option and then select either of the following options.
   • Me only
   • Anyone who uses this computer
   Click on Dial to initiate the connection.

Once connected to the dial-up server, users can access any resources on the server for which they have security permissions. In addition, access is also usually granted to the local area network to which the dial-up server is attached.

An icon will appear in the notification area on the user's computer, indicating that a dial-up session is in progress. Double-clicking on this icon opens a dialog box indicating the session's status and providing statistical information about the status. To end a dial-up session, make sure that any open files are saved and then click on Disconnect.