Hardware
Thanks to the broad use of high-speed network connections and simple home-networking, most computers come prepackaged with the necessary hardware to connect to our network. To double check, you should make sure your computer has a 10/100 Base-T or compatible Ethernet network adapter. If you would like to use the wireless connections, you will need an 802.11a/b/g network adapter. For wireless cards, we recommend 802.11g for the best performance. You will also need to bring your own network cable. Any standard Ethernet cable will work on the network. Usually these cables are referred to as CAT-5 cables, but they can also appear as CAT-5e and CAT-6 cables. Although these cables are slightly different, all will operate exactly the same.
Please note: students living in Poly Canyon Village should come prepared with a CAT-6 cable for best network performance.
Many students and parents consult us for suggestions about computer hardware to purchase. Different students come with different requirements and applications. As such, it is not possible for us to recommend any one manufacturer or platform. Any computer that possesses the network adapters noted above will be compatible with the network. We will point out that Cal Poly students do receive discounts on purchases from Dell and Apple. To access these discounts, you will need to log into the My Cal Poly portal and click on the "Technology" tab. We recommend you choose a manufacturer you trust. You may also want to check prices at the El Corral Bookstore.
In terms of operating system brands, students come with a variety of platforms ranging from Microsoft Windows to Apple Macintosh to Unix to GNU/Linux. We recommend you choose the platform you are most comfortable with. However, you may also wish to consult with your college or department office. Some majors require students to use software available only on a single platform. Often times these departments do offer the software on open laboratory computers, but some students prefer a version accessible from their room. You can find contact information for your department by searching for your department's name on the Cal Poly homepage.
Last Update: 10/6/2009
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