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The purpose of this document is to describe the terms and conditions that govern networked computer systems connected to the UMD network. The UMD network is an ethernet-backbone network that was installed by and is under the direct technical and administrative stewardship of UMD Information Technology Systems and Services (ITSS). The network provides the entire campus with continuous shared data communications services.
For various reasons, departments or individuals at UMD may decide to administer their own computer systems without direct assistance from ITSS. In order for these systems to provide efficient and productive services, it is reasonable for owners of these systems to request that these systems be connected to the UMD network. Departments or individuals at UMD can and should be granted access to the campus networking system if their sole purpose is to promote and serve the mission of the University of Minnesota and this campus.
It is the responsibility of ITSS to see that this network runs securely and efficiently for the benefit of the entire campus. All proposed changes or additions to the network must therefore be studied carefully and tested thoroughly by ITSS staff. ITSS must also monitor the network continually in order to avoid problems and act quickly and decisively when problems do develop.
Starting in the year 2000, the UMD network supports both wired and wireless connections. During 2000-2001, wireless pilots established the usefulness of wireless in certain settings to enhance the network. Our wireless pilot projects have demonstrated that wireless should be used as an extension to the wired network in areas where wiring is not practical; it should not be used as a replacement for wired connections. A wired connection will, in general, perform better than a wireless connection and will be necessary to support a high-performance network.
Wireless hubs must be carefully deployed so that they do not interfere with one another. Moreover, other devices using the same radio frequencies as wireless hubs may interfere with the wireless network. ITSS stewardship of the network must expand to include the segment of the radio frequency used by wireless networking devices. See our guidelines for the use of the 2.4 GHz radio frequency for more details.
In order to provide the most secure, productive, robust, and fair networking services to all users of the network, it is necessary that both parties agree to share responsibility for the well-being of the network. ITSS requires that any department or individual requesting to connect an independent system to the UMD network agree to the following conditions:
Networking equipment such as routers, switches, wireless access points, and hubs will be added to the network as needed by ITSS. Clients will not be allowed to add networking equipment to the network unless a special exemption is obtained from ITSS in advance. Such exemptions will be granted only in very special circumstances with compelling justification. Customers should not in general expect to add networking equipment to the network in order to circumvent normal network billing. It is the responsibility of all users of the network to pay their fair share of the cost to run the network.
ITSS will inspect the system configuration, both hardware and software, to verify that it is compatible with the existing network. If it is determined that the configuration is incompatible or otherwise unacceptable, the network connection will be postponed until such time as it is made acceptable. ITSS will work with the client to this end. The client will be billed for time spent by ITSS staff in preparing the system for connection to the network. This may include adding network equipment required to support the client's request.
The owner or administrator of the system will notify ITSS of any plan to modify or upgrade any network-related software or hardware.
ITSS reserves the right to disconnect the system from the network, either temporarily or permanently, if it is suspected and subsequently shown that the system is causing network-related problems. The owner of the system may be held accountable for ITSS staff time required to track down any network problem that is finally traced back to their system.
ITSS will monitor all systems connected to the network in order to anticipate and correct network-related problems. For individual personal computers or terminals, this may require that the user provide physical access to the machine from time to time. For more complex systems with remote login capabilities, ITSS must be granted an account on the system that can be used to check network configuration software.
The standard charge for access to the UMD campus network is based upon a single device. Each device will be associated with an individual person or department for the purposes of tracking and billing. Customers will be charged the standard hourly rate for labor when ITSS staff install network connections and wiring. A current rate sheet for access and labor charges is available on the web.
Clients may find it productive to integrate printing services on their systems with the networked printing capabilities available via ITSS systems. If printing services are requested and granted to ITSS printers, clients will be held accountable for all printing-related charges originating from their systems.
Clients will be be responsible for hourly charges for systems programming work required to integrate their systems into the existing network printing or file serving systems, if such services are desired. Any system and/or networking consultation will be charged back to the client at the current system programming hourly rate.
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