Internet / computer | Telephone ISDN & Fax | Administration | Download ordering flowchart
Eforce Advanced Services FAQ
Q. What will I need to bring with me to use the internet connection?
Eforce internet connections are supplied in one of two ways, either wired or wireless connections.
The WIRED connection is presented on your stand as a male RJ45 10/100 Mbps autosensing Ethernet connection. This can either plug directly into your PC, Laptop or active equipment such as a hub, switch or firewall. This will require the device you are bringing to have an Ethernet card installed.
The WIRELESS connection is a industry standard 802.11a/b/g wireless infrastructure. The connecting device such as a PDA, laptop etc will need to have a wireless card installed or be WiFi enabled (for example Centrino or Apple AirPort). The SSID and authentication method will be disclosed when your order is placed.
Q. In which areas of the venue will the wireless be available?
The wireless connection will be available in all public areas of the venue. This includes the exhibition areas, cafes, bars and eating areas. The connection ordered for your stand will be available in all these areas.
Q. Are your IP addresses Public or Private
Eforce by default issue PUBLIC IP addresses, these are visible from the internet. We can issue RFC1918 (private) addressing by request. Please specify if you want private addressing at the time of placing your order.
Q. Is the internet connection firewalled?
Yes, the firewall is in place to protect your stand from external attack, this option can be removed at your request. Please specify this at the time of ordering.
The firewall currently blocks TCP / UDP ports 135-139 and 445, all other ports are open bi-directionally. This means your device can be accessed from externally (VPNs etc). Please refer to our connection policy for Eforce requirements for MINIMUM levels of security and protection on clients own equipment.
Q. What computer should I bring?
If you wish to bring your own computer and connect it to our network, ask one of our technical staff to contact you. Customer provided hardware of the appropriate standard can be internet access enabled by an on-site Eforce technician. This work may be chargeable.
Q. Who is your internet Service Provider?
Eforce has its own internet connections via THUS, Band-X, Level3, INS and Demon. The reason we use so many is purely for resilience, so in the event of a failure of one of the ISPs, we can migrate to another ISP almost seamlessly.
Q. Can I get my IP address in advance?
Yes, IP addresses are normally allocated dynamically using DHCP. If you require a fixed IP address please contact Eforce prior to the show, preferably at the time of order to request this service.
Q. Can you set up my own computer for me?
Yes. Eforce technicians are available to perform this service and can load all necessary information to connect to our network. The cost will be billed directly to you by Eforce. This is considerably less expensive than having to send one of your own technicians to the event. In order to ensure the availability of our technicians, please be sure to discuss and schedule this configuration assistance in advance.
If you rent a PC from us it will come ready configured with internet access enabled.
Q. Can I use my AOL account on your network?
Yes, however, AOL accounts are primarily dial up accounts. If you are using AOL to read email however, you may still link to their email reader via the internet. When you use AOL or a traditional internet Service Provider (ISP) you have to compete with all the other traffic (users) on their dial up servers. The result is slow service, timing out and lost connections. Eforce Advanced services negate the need for dialling up. All of our internet connectivity goes through the Eforce Advanced services. There are distinct advantages this has over AOL or other providers. When you connect to the internet via Eforce, you are taking advantage of our private gateway to the internet. No time outs, no lost connections and reliable speeds. That's the Eforce advantage.
Q. Can I access my company secure server? (To read my office mail, for example.)
That depends on the security you have set up on your company's mail server. Usually the answer is, "no". After all, your company put its mail server behind a firewall to protect it from outside attacks and prying eyes. However, it may be possible for you to go around that protection, but you will need to discuss this with your internal IT department and Eforce Technical Staff well in advance.
Q. Can I bring in my own internet service connection, like a leased line ?
You could call a local provider to supply the internet access you need. You would also need to call the phone company to get a dedicated line. Eforce would then need to be provided with all of this information in order to extend the line to your stand. Bringing in your own service means that youll have (at least) 3 different contacts to initiate and co-ordinate. This would be unnecessary with one call to Eforce Advanced Services.
Q. Ill be bringing my own laptop and want to work while at Earls Court / Olympia how can I pick up my e-mail?
You have a number of options.
If you have a modem and dial up access to your office e-mail, you can dial into your corporate network to collect your e-mail. You can rent an analogue phone line on your stand, rent a workspace or room with phone line in our Business Centres, or use a payphone. Call charges are payable.
If your office e-mail is accessible through the internet and you have LAN connection (Ethernet) on your laptop, you can use Eforce internet service by renting a connection to our Advanced Services. This gives you unmetered access to the internet with no after show call charges.
Q. I have 2 or more stands that are quite far apart. Is it possible to connect them together?
Yes, with the Eforce Advanced services, it doesnt matter how far apart your stands are, we can securely connect your stands even if they are on different floors, halls or even other Eforce venues! Please contact us for details.
Q. Id like to demonstrate my companys software on our stand, but dont want to bring lots of equipment to site can you help?
Eforce can rent you a range of high specification modern computers. Our standard PCs come with MS Office, file and print services and are internet ready - support is included. If you would like us to provide special hardware and install your own software as well or instead of the standard options please contact us to discuss your custom requirements with our Technical consultants.
Q. I need two or more telephones on my stand or in my breakout room, is this possible?
Yes. You can order as many analogue services as you need for Phones, Faxes, PDQs. Each comes with its own direct dial in line.
Q. In addition to using my phone line for calls, I would also like to share it with my fax machine/modem too. Can I share one line or can you give me a "splitter" so I can use one line for the two devices?
Yes, The analogue service uses a standardised technology that supports fax machine and modems, it is exactly the same as being at home, except that you will need to dial 9 for an outside line.
If you require a fax machine on your stand you will need to order our Fax service, which comes with its own direct dial in line. Alternatively faxes can be sent and received through our Business Centres.
To use a modem, you can rent an analogue phone line from us.
Q. Do I have to go through a switchboard when making or receiving phone calls?
No, all of our lines are direct dial in and out. You just need to dial 9 when making an external call.
Q. Do you offer ISDN service?
Yes. We offer an ISDN-2e lines, which offers 2x64K digital channels (128K Multilink)
If however you need it to gain access to the internet, you can do this more effectively through our Advanced Services. These services are available on their own, or as part of our PC package.
Q. How much do you charge for calls?
All external phone calls made over our phone lines are billed by us at rates equivalent to BT rates.
Q. Do you rent fax machines?
Yes, renting our fax service provides you with a fax machine and analogue phone line with its own direct dial in number.
Q. Can I get my phone number in advance for printing purposes?
Yes, if we have your full order and proper payment we can assign your phone numbers in advance.
Q. If I rent a computer, can you provide software?
Yes, Eforce provided hardware comes with Windows 2000, MS Office, Ethernet card and will be internet ready as standard. For other requirements contact us and request a custom service. You will however need to order internet provision separately as it is not provided with the PCs
Q. What do you mean when you say your levels of service are "flat rate"?
Flat rate billing means you can be connected to the internet for the duration of the event and not be billed for any usage, however high that may be.
Q. Who do I call if I have a problem with any of my services?
If you ordered your internet service from Eforce and experience any problems with connectivity, simply call our Customer Helpdesk on the number provided with your order confirmation, and one of our on-site Technicians will attend your stand and discuss and resolve the issues in a timely manner. We will test any Internet connection provided with an Eforce laptop to ensure connectivity is available.
Q. Will someone be available on site to assist us, should we require it?
Yes, this is one of the advantages of using Eforce. The Eforce technicians will test all Eforce supplied equipment and connections before the event begins and make sure you are "up and running". If, during the event, you require assistance, simply call us and an Eforce technician will be happy to help. Work on non-Eforce provided equipment might be chargeable.
Q. Do your prices include installation and removal?
Yes, the price of our services includes both installation and removal. We can also offer charged technical consultancy to help you with your own equipment should you require it.
Q. Do you bill for phone calls (usage)?
Yes, we bill for all external calls (i.e. any calls that require a line to access the outside local or long distance network). Pricing is based on time of day, length of call and distance. In addition, there is a charge for all toll-free numbers (e.g. 0800) and operator assisted calls.
internet / computer | Telephone ISDN & Fax | Administration | Ordering