RezNet Computing Agreement 2006 - 2007 (August 2006)

 

What is RezNet

RezNet provides access to information resources, including computer networks and the Internet, to students living in the residence. Through their RezNet connection, residents will be able to access the University’s network and services and other hosts on the Internet. Computers and networks provide powerful communication tools and access to resources on campus and around the world. When used appropriately, these tools increase the open exchange of information and advance the mission of Bishop’s University.

 

Principles and policies governing RezNet

Inappropriate use of computers and networks can infringe on the rights of others. Appropriate use must always be legal and ethical, reflect academic honesty and show consideration in the consumption of shared resources. Appropriate use must also demonstrate respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, system security, and individual rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation or harassment.

 

Residents who connect to Bishop’s University’s  residential network must abide by the conditions described here, as well as all Bishop’s University policies including the Acceptable use policy ( http://www.ubishops.ca/administration/computing_AUP.htm ), and all relevant provincial and federal laws, regulations, and contractual obligations. The use of Bishops University’s technology resources is a privilege, which may be revoked if users fail to comply with these policies. As a member of the RezNet network, you agree to abide by the principles listed above, as well as the specific responsibilities listed below.

 

RezNet Equipment

Information Technology Services(ITS) is the department that provides the RezNet service, in partnership with Student Housing Services.  ITS will provide residents with an RJ45 network jack/port.  A network cable supplied by the resident must be used to connect the jack/port in a residence to a Network Interface Card (NIC) connection via a RJ-45 connection on residents’ computers. TCP/IP is the network protocol supported on RezNet; other protocols are not supported.

 

RezNet Support

RezNet support is available to assist residents to connect to RezNet and to help them maintain their connection on the network.  Residents are responsible for keeping their computers in working condition both in terms of the hardware and the operating system and are responsible for any upgrades and installations that are necessary to ensure their computer is in working order.  ITS recommends that residents use antivirus software and ensure they have the latest updates for their operating system at all times to keep their computers in good working order.

 

Service Availability

The RezNet service is available for residents paying full semester residence fees and will be available to the resident until they move out of residence, unless they violate this Agreement.  The RezNet service is also available to conference users or residence hostel guests who pay a prescribed fee.  Guests will be provided with a UserID and password that will allow them access to the RezNet network.  By activating on the network, they agree to abide by all conditions described in this policy.

In all cases, the RezNet Computing Agreement will be in effect from the date the resident/guest activates on the RezNet network until they move out of residence.

 

Service Outages

Maintenance of the network in part or as a whole may be necessary at any time. Planned down times for RezNet network maintenance will be between 6:00am and 8:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when necessary. Unscheduled down time due to equipment failure or due to circumstances beyond the control of ITS and/or Student Housing Services may occur. RezNet service in the single student residences will be discontinued 24 hours after the final undergraduate exam for the each semester and will resume upon the opening of residence for the next semester.

 

RezNet Service Limitations

Residents may bring more than one computer to campus, such as a desktop and a laptop, but should be aware that RezNet supports only one connection per user at any one time and defines this by providing one IP address per MAC address (unique computer identifier) per Central Login account. If residents choose to implement a configuration allowing more than one computer to connect to the network at any one time, they do so at their own risk and without the support of ITS.  Any such configuration must not interfere with the RezNet network, the university Wireless Local Area Network, or impact on any other resident.  This includes but is not limited to wrongly configured equipment.  If ITS identifies any wrongly configured equipment on the network that is impacting on other RezNet users or the Bishop’s University network in general, the connection may be removed from the network without notice.  The resident(s) concerned will be required to take the appropriate steps to ensure the problem is fixed and does not reoccur before service is restored.

 

RezNet Client Responsibility

By activating your computer on the network, you are thereby agreeing to this RezNet Computing Agreement and are responsible for:

 

1.         Having a computer in proper working order
You are responsible for having a computer system in proper working order and problem free, including being virus free and having all current security updates installed. System configurations that do not meet the recommended specifications, as outlined on the RezNet web site, may not successfully connect to the network. ITS is not responsible for configuring systems to meet the recommended specifications services.  You must also ensure you have the appropriate operating system media and/or .CAB files for your system so you can continue to keep your computer in working order

 

2.         Knowing your Central Login Account and password
You must know your Central Login Account to activate your computer on the network.  Every computer that connects to RezNet must be properly configured for the network and activated with the owner’s Central Login account and password.

 

3.         Responsibility for network traffic
All network activity originating from your equipment and every bit of information that comes from your computer while it is connected to the RezNet network, whether you generate it knowingly or not, is your responsibility.  For information about bandwidth policies see the RezNet FAQ website at http://www.ubishops.ca/residence/reznetfaq.html#limitations .

 

4.         Securing your data
You are responsible for backing up or protecting your data before requesting support or assistance.  The Bishop’s Univeristy and its departments and employees are not responsible for damage to, or loss of property or data directly or indirectly resulting from network access and/or assistance requested by staff. It is your responsibility to back up your data before the installation or activation of your RezNet connection or before any troubleshooting assistance is provided by the ITS staff.

 

5.         Protecting the privacy of your Central Login account.
You must never release your Central Login account information to friends, relatives, roommates, neighbours in residence, etc. Likewise, don't ever use a computer account that you are not authorized to use or obtain a password for a computer account not assigned to you. Both of these are a violation of the Bishops University’s Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines http://www.ubishops.ca/administration/computing_AUP.htm

 

6.         Preventative computer maintenance
 You are responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of your computer system, including the use of antivirus software and installing all security and critical updates to your operating system. In cases where a computer is "hacked into", the user's computer may be temporarily removed from the network to prevent an extension of the attack. You can download a copy of McAfee Antivirus at http://www.ubishops.ca/downloads/index.html your Bishop’s central Login is required to access this site.

 

Every reasonable effort will be made to inform the owner of the computer when such action is taken.  You will be expected to follow instructions from ITS staff for securing your computer so that it can be reconnected to the network as quickly as possible.

 

 

Misuse of RezNet services

 

Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to:

1.         Using a computer to route or forward any network traffic on behalf of devices or services other than your own.

2.         Offering any network services of any type.  This includes but is not limited to: game servers, IRC servers, ftp servers, WWW servers, wireless access points, DHCP services, etc.

3.         Using the network/Internet to gain unauthorized access to any computer systems.

4.         Running or installing a program intended to damage or to place an excessive load on a computer system or network. This includes but is not limited to programs known as computer viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, spamming software, and denial of service applications.

5.         Attempts to bypass security and/or bandwidth policies and processes.

6.         Violating terms of applicable software licensing agreements

7.         Violating copyright laws.

8.         Using RezNet resources for commercial purposes.

9.         Sending chain letters, advertisements, or solicitations of any type.

10.       Sending mass mailings to individuals who have not expressly agreed to be contacted in this manner.

11.       Attempting to monitor or tamper with another user's electronic communications or accessories, reading, copying, changing, or deleting another user's files or software without the explicit agreement of the owner.

12.       Modifying network wiring.

13.       Use of network scanning tools.

 

 

ITS reserves the right to temporarily terminate a network connection in order to prevent expansion of a threat to network.  ITS staff will attempt to give advanced warning in these situations, but does not guarantee it.

 

Please note: Information technology changes rapidly, and updates to these policies may be made throughout the year.  ITS will widely disseminate announcements of any policy changes that take effect during the academic year, but it is the responsibility of the user to remain informed of the policies posted on the RezNet website or on the RezNet activation page. Anyone connected to RezNet is required to abide by these policies at all times.