UMKCnet Connectivity and Usage Guidelines
The following guidelines apply to any user connecting any device to UMKCnet. UMKCnet is the campus-wide data communications infrastructure primarily utilizing Ethernet standards for media, and using TCP/IP as the communication protocol. UMKCnet is managed and maintained by UMKC Information Services Networking and Telecommunications department. These guidelines were developed to ensure the stability and security of UMKCnet and the protection of ALL network users. Infringement of these guidelines may result in one or more of the following: unreachable systems connected to UMKCnet; temporary or prolonged loss of the individual's UMKCnet connection; server outage; assessment of wiring or repair charges; assessment of damages caused to UMKCnet hardware or other University property.
- The University of Missouri
Acceptable Use Policy
applies to all faculty, staff, students, and affiliated users of the network
to support the university’s mission and goals. Network devices (devices)
include, but are not limited to, computers, printers, and other equipment
necessary to obtain access to UMKCnet and/or the Internet.
- The user accepts full responsibility for any and all
network activities over the connection, including ensuring their connection
is not used for hacking activity. The user is responsible for maintaining
their network devices in a secure and controlled manner.
(e.g. appropriate
anti-virus software
must be installed and updated to current configurations). The user is
responsible for maintaining backups of all of their information and data.
- Any faculty, researcher, or staff can obtain a
connection to UMKCnet for an authorized network device. To start the
process,
submit a Service Order to Networking and
Telecommunications. The Service Order
should contain funding information, contact person and exact room location
where the data jack is needed. An Activation Fee will be charged for an
existing network data jack. An Installation Fee will be charged by
Networking and Telecommunications for the installation of the network data
jack, if one does not exist, at the desired location. The network data jack
will be completely tested by Networking and Telecommunications before
activation. Normally, only one or two network data jacks will be installed
within a normal office. However, situations requiring more network
connections per room will be supported. (e.g., servers, shared laser
printers, and computer labs, large offices, etc.). The installation of
repeaters or other networking devices by anyone other than UMKC IS staff is
strictly prohibited. Ports will be monitored and will be shutdown according
to the ‘Data Jack Shut Down and Reconnect’ procedure document, when multiple
devices are detected on a single network data jack.
- At this time, students are only allowed to connect
privately owned devices to UMKCnet data jacks in the following situations:
- Students living in one of the Residence Halls may use data services provided in the residences (See guidelines on computers in the Residence Halls).
- Student Common Areas such as Miller Nichols Library Commons, the Bloch School Lounge, and the Law School Lounge.
- Wireless access is available for student use on limited devices. Refer to the map of coverage areas at https://www.umkc.edu/is/nt/Services.asp.
- ILE workstation data jacks. (Special data jacks
located on the computer-enabled lecterns in certain classrooms.)
- Students may use university owned network devices, as
approved by the appropriate faculty, researchers or staff. This
authorization includes the use of the Student General Use Laboratories.
- The network data jacks, routing equipment, and
switching equipment are University property. UMKC IS Networking and
Telecommunications staff are the only personnel authorized to install,
reinstall or relocate them. Please notify Networking and Telecommunications
at 816-235-2000, if a network jack becomes damaged or disconnected from its
anchor point. If a network jack must be moved to a new location, then simply
submit a Service Order to Networking and Telecommunications.
- To obtain full benefit from the UMKCnet connection,
some basic training will be available. Most IT Liaisons provide the required
training and installation support. However to fill any gaps, UMKC IS will
offer training for department support staff on installation and
configuration of network client software and hardware. If Liaisons are not
available UMKC IS will install and configure supported software and
hardware. UMKC IS provides training on basic applications packages. Contact
the Call Center, 816-235-2000, for further information on training.
- No Server services can be defined or offered over the
UMKCnet connection without advance approval from UMKC IS. This includes,
but is not limited to, LAN File Servers, printer servers, web servers, FTP
servers, news servers, and mail servers. This is to ensure that any
services that are to be offered on the network are allowed through the
proper campus firewalls, and other security measures put into place on the
network. You should contact the Technology Support Center at 816-235-2000 or
callcenter@umkc.edu
to request allowances for such services. The typical turn-around time will
be 1-business day.
- Peer-to-peer file swapping services, e.g., Kazaa and
BitTorrent, consume large amounts of network bandwidth due to their ‘swarm’
and ‘mesh’ technologies, and are frequently used for copyright
infringement. Due to the nature of these programs they will not be
permitted on UMKCnet.
- Improperly installed routers, hubs, and other
networking equipment can result in network bridging and network routing
loops. These devices can also result in other forms of degraded service due
to lack of QoS (Quality of Service) and other similar controls. UMKCnet
routers, wireless network devices, and switches (both hardware and software)
are configured to effectively and efficiently route data throughout the
campus network. Departments or Units are not allowed to install routers,
switches, hubs, repeaters, wireless hubs, or other networking equipment that
will be connected to UMKCnet, without permission from Information Services.
All backbone and building network cables and equipment will be purchased and
managed by UMKC IS. A department or unit may turn an unauthorized network
device to UMKC IS, and UMKC IS will replace the unauthorized device with an
authorized device if the operation of the device is necessary to accomplish
department or unit goals. This turn-in period expires on December 31st,
2006, and will only apply to devices purchased prior to November 1st,
2005.
- Network traffic originating from a UMKCnet connection must not jeopardize or impede use of the network. This includes, but is not limited to, excessive bandwidth usage, detrimental usage, and usage not in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy and this document.
If traffic that is detrimental to the campus network is detected, such as error packets, jam packets, and other malformed or attack-type packets, the data jack will be shutdown according to the ‘Data Jack Shut Down and Reconnect’ procedure document.
- A static IP address is assigned to an authorized
network device must only be used on that device. IP addresses cannot be
transferred to other devices without prior consent from UMKC IS.
DHCP is available in
all campus buildings to dynamically assign IP addresses. A unique DNS
hostname may be requested for a device. This hostname should not be
modified once assigned. Users may request DNS aliases to a hostname as
needed. Requests for static IP addresses and DNS records should be made by
contacting the Technology Support Center at
techsupportcenter@umkc.edu
or calling 816-235-2000. These requests will be fulfilled as soon as
possible, usually within 2 business days.
- is
normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A maintenance window has
been scheduled between Midnight Saturday and 8 AM Sunday. It is during this
period, UMKCnet maintenance is routinely performed. Routers, hubs, or other
networking equipment may be down during this time without prior
notification.
Full access to File Servers, computer systems, databases, or off-campus networks may vary. Please contact the Technology Support Center, 816-235-2000, for further information regarding scheduled maintenance.
- The Technology Support Center hours are 7 AM until 7 PM Monday
through Thursday and 7 AM until 5 PM Friday - excluding University holidays
and periods of suspended operations. UMKCnet is monitored 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Network support staff are automatically notified about major
networking problems. Problems or questions concerning the use of the UMKCnet
should be directed to the Technology Support Center, 816-235-2000. This number may also
be used after hours, from which a calling service will contact after-hours
support personnel.
- UMKCnet outages will be of several types: Scheduled, Unscheduled and Other Network Outages.
1. Occasionally, routine maintenance of UMKCnet facilities will be required and scheduled during the weekly maintenance window (see 13. above). A web page of Networking Information/Events is maintained so that users can check on scheduled outages or other information related to UMKCnet.
2. Unscheduled outages are beyond the control of the UMKCnet management team. Major UMKCnet outages (e.g., routers, building wiring hubs, links to MOREnet and the Internet, etc.) will be automatically detected and reported to the UMKCnet management team for corrective action.
3. Other network outages pertain to specific resources (e.g., a File Server, E-Mail Server, Media Server, Web Server, etc. or any other resource normally accessed via UMKCnet) not being available when needed. Most of these outages will be outside of the purview of the UMKCnet management team, but will be reported to the proper organizations as soon as possible. Notices of planned outages will be communicated by appropriate methods. The time to repair such outages is variable and beyond the control of the UMKCnet management team. A database of campus network resources will be maintained and network access verified. Some outages will be reported directly to the UMKCnet management team for possible corrective action. General access to some monitored links is available through the IS website.
- Departments who operate their own servers, and whose
users also contact the Technology Support Center for assistance calls, should contact the
Technology Support Center at 816-235-2000 if they have any planned or unplanned outages.
This will ensure that the Technology Support Center can help field any questions related
to the departmental server outage.
- This policy will be reviewed on a 3-year cycle unless a significant technology changes in a way that affects the applicability of this policy.
Please report suspected network outages or problems to the Technology Support Center, 816-235-2000. The problem might already be known (e.g., a scheduled outage), if not, appropriate action will be taken to correct the problem. Key departmental contacts should notify the Technology Support Center of any other network device problems.