To make e-Welfare possible, a wireless internet network was installed in the compounds. This network makes surfing the internet and chatting possible.
The internet network can be used in the following ways:
Via the wireless internet access points (so called hotspots) you can access the internet through your own laptop.
The hotspots are positioned in order to cover the dutch part of the compounds, and if possible, the entire compound, as much as possible.
Despite our care during installation it is impossible to guarantee coverage everywehere and anywhere. Because of changes on the compound, for example through the construction of extra containers or buildings and other interference-sources (like privat access points), these radio signals may be interferrd. That is why it is possible that in some areas there is not enough coverage to make proper telephone calls or to make proper use of the internet.
In most cases, when launching the internet browser, you will directly see the e-Welfare homepage. If this is not the case, please check if the settings of your wireless network card are correct. Please refer to the 10 tips for effective use of the internet.
We cannot guarantee support on possible problems with privé equipment and software. Through the FAQ and the information provided at this webiste, we will do our best effort to support you with the possible settings in order for you to make optimum use of the e-Welfare services.
If you do not have a laptop with you or if there are problems with the wireless network, you can always use the desktop computer in the Internet café.
Connect up to a SkyXS wireless network and launch the Internet browser (Mozilla Firefox preferred) on your laptop. If you are using a desktop computer in the Internet café, you only need to launch the Internet browser.
Log in with your 12-digit e-Welfare PIN code (do not forget to close this with a hash sign #). You can now surf the Internet, provided your account has sufficient credit (to credit your account, see: Credit your Account). When you have finished your session, do not forget to log out. This is your responsibility!
You can end your Internet session with the "Log out" button in the popup window of your browser. After 3/5 minutes of inactivity, the session will, in principle, be broken off.
However, this will only happen if no programs such as Windows Update or chat programs like MSN are running in the background. Such programs prevent you from being automatically logged out after a few minutes of inactivity. When you have finished your session, do not forget to log out. This is your responsibility!
The best way to ensure that your connection does not remain open is to log out via the e-Welfare homepage (http://hotspot.e-welfare.nl) or by switching off your computer completely.
Programs that start up in the background can be switched off by means of the 'MSCONFIG' command. Run this command by clicking the ‘Start’ button, clicking ‘run’ and then typing 'MSCONFIG'. Under the ‘Start up’ tab you can then check or uncheck the programs.
The internet connection runs from the compound via a satellite to the Netherlands and has a limited bandwith. You share this connection and the available bandwith with all the other e-Welfare users in the compound.
For these reasons, it is unreasonable to compare the quality of the connection in the mission area with that what you are accustomed to at home. But if everyone takes heed of the ten tips for effective internet use, the available bandwidth will be sufficient.
e-Welfare provides Internet access according to a priority system. Some applications use a lot of bandwidth. In order to share the available bandwidth as fairly as possible while enabling everyone to surf, e-mail and chat with minimum delay, applications have been divided into categories: Real-time applications, such as telephony, television and radio, have priority. As a result, Internet and e-mail services may be slower during peak periods. Peer-to-peer applications and other download programs, as well as streaming audio and video, will be placed in the lowest category (in terms of priority). The Internet connection is used mainly between 17.00 and 22.00 hrs local time. During this period, therefore, it is likely that the network will be slower.
In short, the e-Welfare connection is not intended for;
Traffic from these applications will be blocked or slowed down in order to allocate more bandwidth and speed to the other Internet applications, such as surfing, e-mailing and chatting.
Click here to find out how to reach a deployed serviceman or woman connected to the e-Welfare network.
