Position
Statement on
Connecting Devices to the Campus Network
Rationale for Position Statement: The campus network is a University shared resource. IT is responsible for the overall performance of the shared network. The connection of network devices must be properly planned and managed to ensure a consistent and acceptable level of service to the campus. Thus, all network devices must be compliant with University standards and installed within design topology of the network.
Ethernet standards require strict adherence to specifications in order to provide availability and top performance to all devices attached to the network. Distance limitations and rules governing the number and types of ethernet devices that may be linked together prohibit indiscriminate additions of ethernet devices.
The Position Statement is similar to statements in other UW network policies, for example:
"All devices connected to any part of the campus network must be approved by OIT [Office of Information Technology]." UW Platteville, "Acceptable Use of Computing and Information Technology Resources," 10/16/2000
"Unauthorized connections to the University network are prohibited." UW Stevens Point, "Computing and Network Use Policy," 4/27/2001.
IT Position Statement: Devices such as hubs, bridges, routers, switches, dial-in servers, and wireless access points extend and alter the topology of the campus network. They are, therefore, under the jurisdiction of the Information Technology division. Such devices may not be connected to the campus network without authorization of IT.
Requests for the addition of hubs, bridges, routers, switches and similar devices to the campus network must be submitted to the Director of Telecommunications and Applications Programming. Approval for the new device may be granted following investigation of existing topology and expected use of the new device. Any hubs, bridges, routers, switches and other network equipment that have been approved may be used only in the authorized location and in the authorized manner.
Unauthorized devices discovered on the campus network will immediately be removed and the network port will be disabled.
IT Guidelines for Approving Devices: Hubs, bridges, routers, switches, dial-in servers and wireless access points may be approved for connection to the campus network if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The requesting unit must provide written justification for the device.
2. Ethernet standards such as distance limitations and repeater rules are strictly adhered to.
3. The device must be connected to a managed port. A non-managed device may not be connected to another non-managed device.
4. IT must approve all connections extending from the device.
5. Conditions such as bandwidth utilization and error rates on the network segment will be considered before granting approval.
6. The device must be used only in authorized location(s).
7. Network problems caused by any device connected to the original device will cause the entire original device to be disconnected until the problems are resolved.
8. The department installing the device is responsible for all maintenance and troubleshooting of the device.
May 9, 2001
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