Lenovo ThinkPad T41p - Manual (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
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