Is wireless technology in your IT plan?

Yes, we have a wireless LAN pilot operating in the Library. We are doing 2 new installations of wireless networking in the Memorial Union Building and Dillman Hall. Testing this week. Using Cisco Aeronet equipment.

How do you manage network bandwidth?

The only place on the network that we currently manage bandwidth is between our residence hall network and off-campus. We severely restrict the use of peer-to-peer applications such as Gnutella, Morpheus, etc. to a total of 2Mbps in and 2Mbps out. After this filter we equally distribute bandwidth to each connection in the residence hall with a maximum of 256kbps out and 2Mbps in. We use a pair of Packeteer's Packetshaper 6500ISP boxes for this job. (We're waiting for the new 8500 ISP to come out to do this with just one box)

How do you manage student network access and use?

We have a computer use policy that all computer users are subject to. We do not actively monitor for infractions, but we respond to reports of problems, and react to anything that we may find during regular network management activities. All infractions are handled through the Dean of Student's office. Multiple infractions could result in dismissal if the nature is serious enough or repeated enough.

What network security systems are in place?

We do a small amount of router filtering at our gateway router. (Http only goes to registered web servers for instance). Most security activity is handled at the department level. This will change somewhat with the implementation of the NTSF proposal.

How do you manage student telephone use?

In the residence halls, all students have PIN number dialing for long-distance service. We use a third party to handle long-distance billing. Most on-campus phones in student areas are restricted to local and campus calling only. (I'm not sure if this is what they meant)

What methods are used to upgrade network electronics and infrastructure?

We charge for all our network services which generates a constant revenue stream for upgrading electronics. Infrastructure upgrades are funded a small amount through these same fees, but mostly by direct charges to areas that need more jacks or wire upgrades. Equipment is amortized over 3 years. Wiring is expected to last 10 years. We currently supply either 10Mbps or 100Mbps service to desktops. These two services have a different cost.

MTU's network architecture is very simple. At the core of the network are 3 interconnected 150Gbps IP switching routers. One for the administrative LANs, pne for the residential networks, and one is our off campus router. Each building at MTU has a chassis-based 25Gbps layer 2 switch. These switches are currently connected at 1Gbps over fiber to either the administrative ip switch-router or the residential ip switch-router. Each jack where network connectivity is desired is connected to a 20-port, 8Gbps layer-2 10/100 switch. Each of these switches are connected to the building layer-2 switch via copper at 100 Mbps. These fixed-port switches also support a gigabit fiber uplink. There are a few minor exceptions to this model, but basically all of campus is built this way. All of the layer 2 switches support VLAN and QoS tagging. We use the VLAN support extensively. There are just over 20 of the building layer-2 switches, and approximately 450 of the fixed-port switches servicing campus.