West Point Network/PC Complications....

[Ben Mayo]

 

Hello,

 

Next year I will be attending the United States Military Academy. I have been trying to determine what I should purchase to bring there. The army issues laptops with built in CAC readers, and severely regulates the internet for security purposes. The laptops have pre-installed security clearances, making that laptop the only device able to connect to the wireless network. Meaning that I can not connect any non-issued device to the network. Also note there is no wired Ethernet in the barracks.

I enjoy gaming and I enjoy the level of productivity that a desktop can provide. This has lead me to try and find work arounds, as It would be pointless to bring a desktop that can not connect to the internet. I have absolutely no idea if this true or not, but I was told that it is possible to connect a computer to the internet by running an Ethernet cable from that computer to another computer already connected to the network. In theory would this allow me to bring a desktop that I could connect to the laptop via Ethernet and then onto the network?

If that is not true and or not viable. I think i'm just going to have to buy an eGPU, so does anyone have any recommendations on what eGPU to purchase or any other ideas of what I could do?

 

Thanks for your time. 

Ben

 

PS: I know this sounds super ghetto, I am just trying to make the best of an uncontrollable situation. 

[Canada EH]

Quote

 

CAC readers

 

This has lead me to try and find work arounds,

 

it is possible to connect a computer to the internet by running an Ethernet cable from that computer to another computer already connected to the network. In theory would this allow me to bring a desktop that I could connect to the laptop via Ethernet and then onto the network?

 

What is a CAC reader?

Have you asked your Master of Arms if you are allowed to do what you are doing?

Could be a repremand or even military prison for breaking security clearences that you have.

 

Is there cell phone service there?

Hook it up the cell phone service. BTW I am sure the Intelligence is monitoring every thing, even the beams of info.

 

Triple check with your Master of Arms and the Head Honcho. You do not want a black stain on your arms record.

 

Times have changed. Doing time in the US of A is different then the clinker in beaver land where murders walk free on a NCR in a handful of years and outright murder is a dime easy. Breaking the armed forces rules, they have their own laws. Breaching security is a big deal. Security clearances are given for a reason! They give you just enough lee-way to see what you will do. Your leash is slack. Proceed at your own risk.

 

Besides all that, you will have no time to play games. You go in untrained with no routine, and they give you structure. You wake up at 4am, clean the barracks with a toothbrush, and you come back at 1am. They deprive you for a reason. Everything is done for a reason.

 

How much free time do you expect?

[Ben Mayo]

West Point is the Army's military college. I should have free time on the weekends to do what I want etc. 

 

I have thought about getting a cell service hotspot, but I have been told that connection is spotty due to the school being in the mountains. 

 

I am not sure what reprimands there would be (If any), but I know that is common among cadets to alter programs etc to gain access. For example, changing something in their settings to connect a games console to the network. I do not want to break the rules, I am merely trying to find the best way to have the power of a Desktop at the academy. Through working with the rules and regulations in place. 

 

To answer your question, a CAC card is a smart identification card. You use the card as though it is your "login and password," to get onto your issued laptop and the network. You must insert the card into the card reader and go from there. The card has many uses such as being military I.D, a door lock swipe, computer card etc. 

 

Thanks, 

 

@Canada EH

[beavo451]

On 12/6/2018 at 11:15 PM, Ben Mayo said:

Meaning that I can not connect any non-issued device to the network.

 

28 minutes ago, Ben Mayo said:

I do not want to break the rules

That is exactly what it sounds like you are doing. How about you ask other West Pointers?

 

You are dealing with the government. Connecting an unauthorized device to a secure military network sounds like a fantastic way to get disciplined or worse.

[VinsinityKT]

It can’t be that restrictive... My friends are in the Air Force Academy. And he’s a twitch streamer for fortnite. Top 10 in the whole class.