Network Infrastructure Services

These services comprise of the physical cabling, network hardware, and software required to manage the communication between end user devices and the services they use. Access to the network is provided directly over wireless connections, or from outside the University premises over the Internet.

Campus Information Technology Services (CITS) monitors the availability and performance of the network and takes appropriate action to maintain adequate performance.

CITS manages all new network installations across and between the many campuses of the University. Using an annually agreed budget, CITS ensures that the core network provides sufficient capacity. Core and edge devices are regularly reviewed and upgraded. Refurbishment projects are required by University Policy to include network provision and compliance with the CITS Cabling Standards.

CITS provides and supports the network infrastructure to provide an internet connection to those Halls of Residence currently connected to the University network.

For all network services described below, CITS reserves the right to upgrade or maintain parts of the network during scheduled "network at risk" times.

 

Core Services

CITS will:

  • Provide a resilient, high capacity backbone network based on fiber links and high speed routers and switches connecting the major buildings and external campuses of the University.
  • Directly or through the management of third party suppliers, provide links to all University locations with:
    • High speed access to Tier 1 sites
    • Medium speed access to Tier 2 sites
    • Broadband links to Tier 3 sites
  • Design and support links to other University locations at customer request (e.g. Sports facilities).
  • Provide a link to the Internet.
  • Ensure adherence to the Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) when making use of the University connection.
  • Monitor all elements of the Service provision to ensure that the network can support the demands made of it. The evolution of the service will be planned on the premise that no component is utilized at more than 50% of its design capacity.
  • Restore broken network links and failed services, either directly or through the management of third party suppliers.
  • Work with the operators of other networks to maximize the availability of these services.
  • Give 2 weeks notice to customers of any planned network downtime outside the Network at Risk period, which should be scheduled in consultation with the affected users.
  • Consider requests for other high speed links to support research.
  • Research and evaluate new technologies and recommend their use to the University.

 

Customers will:

  • Agree to AUPs when making use of the University's connection. 
  • Be aware that there may be service disruption during "network at risk" times.

 

Departmental Services

CITS will:

  • Provide active equipment to support departmental connections.
  • Provide the physical infrastructure in the buildings, up to and including the network connections.
  • At the wall sockets provide 1 gbps in limited circumstances, primarily when the bulk of traffic is intra-group.
  • Agree, authorize and sign off network infrastructure installations, either stand-alone projects or part of larger refurbishments, in their capacity as duty-holders.
  • Arrange and manage installations and moves of a limited number of sockets (up to 24) within a room, within three weeks of a request being received. A charge may be made.
  • Make live wall sockets within two days of a request being received by the service desk.
  • Exercise its right, as delegated by the University Information Technology (IT) Security Policy, to block individual machines, groups or entire departments, if necessary, in the event of an unexpected service disruption, such as hacking or misuse.

 

Customers will:

  • Ensure, in consultation with CITS, that any building refurbishment project includes budgetary funding for network services and space provision for accommodating network infrastructure.
  • Provide adequate closet space for network equipment.
  • Provide cost free and safe access at all times to the network infrastructure components.
  • Not install additional devices for onward access (e.g. Mini-hubs, wireless access points, modems and similar devices); only one device may be connected to a wall socket.
  • Not change or add any element of network infrastructure including cabling, containment, active equipment and power supplies without prior agreement with CITS.
  • Ensure that all hosts connected to the network, in whatever capacity, are registered in the Host Data Base (HDB) as required by then AUP.

 

Network Services

CITS will provide the following Network Services:

  • Domain Name System (DNS): This stores information about host names and domains on networks, such as the Internet. Most importantly, it provides an IP address for each host name.
  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): This is a networking protocol, provides a means to allocate IP addresses dynamically to computers on a Local Area Network (LAN).
  • Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): This is a protocol running over TCP/IP for accessing, updating and searching on-line directory services.
  • Host Data Base (HDB): This is a database and updating mechanism for providing the definitive record of all hosts on the University network.
  • Web Caches: These provide for authenticated proxy access to external web sites.

 

Customers will:

  • Use the CITS provided Network Services and not operate their own alternative services

 

Roaming Access

CITS will:

  • Provide secure wireless access to authorized users, only using either a VPN or WPA.
  • Provide wireless access points to cover public places in Departments and other areas of campus. Note, there is not total campus coverage.
  • Provide additional wireless points on request which will be chargeable to departments.
  • Provide wireless connection to the 802.11a, b, g or n standard with "Wi-Fi" compliance. Note, bandwidth cannot be guaranteed.
  • No guaranteed wireless base station coverage across the entirety of the campuses.
  • Not be able to guarantee wireless service in the event of interference from sources such as other (non-CITS) wireless points.
  • Provide a VPN service to enable secure access to the University network over an ISP connection (e.g. Home, hotel).
  • Provide access to the Cloud Services over the University network.

 

Customers will:

  • Use CITS provided wireless access points and not install their own.
  • Register the MAC address (i.e. Media Access Control address which is the unique hardware address programmed into a network interface adapter) of their wireless adapters.
  • Register laptops and tablets for roaming access.
  • Sign up to an extended "Acceptable Use Policy" to use CITS service.

 

Student Halls Network

 CITS will:

  • Provide and support the network infrastructure, up to the network connection.
  • Monitor usage of the network:
    • For illegal activity, such as downloading of copyright material.
    • To ensure that the network users all receive a fair share of the service block access where illegal use is suspected.
  • Review utilization and upgrade capacity as necessary to provide acceptable performance. 
  • Proactively ensure that the network is secure and virus free.
  • Provide assistance with virus protection on the individuals' machines.

 

Customers will:

  • Complete the registration form to register their machines for use on the network.
  • Ensure that their machine is virus free by installing a virus protection program and keeping it up to date.
  • Use the network as governed by the University's IT Conditions of Use Policy.
  • Not knowingly use a disproportionate amount of the network capacity which consequently reduces the performance experienced by other users.
  • Not download copyrighted material without the owner's permission.

 

Halls included in the Data Network Service

  1. Trinity Hall
  2. Canada Hall
  3. Milner Mall
  4. Joyce Gibson-Inniss Hall
  5. Sir Arthur Lewis Hall
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