SONNET Network Policy Definition SONNET - System of Neighboring Networks - the digital data communications network of The Ohio State University. Each in- building network is owned by the departments of that building, and SONNET then interconnects one building's network to the next building's network, etc. SONNET is composed of all associated fiber optic and copper cables, routers, bridges, servers, repeaters, monitoring equipment, software, and other devices which enable the interconnection of building networks on the campuses. SONNET is installed and maintained by Academic Computing Services (ACS). ACS is responsible for all aspects of SONNET. If it is necessary to define a specific point of demarcation for where SONNET begins and ends, then with the current implementation, it is typically at the user end of the building bridge. Purposes of SONNET The purpose of SONNET is to advance the research, instruction, and service missions of The Ohio State University by assisting in the interchange of information, providing access to resources, and facilitating collaboration through electronic communications and networking. Acceptable Use Policy 1. All use of SONNET must be consistent with the Purposes of SONNET. 2. All use of SONNET must be consistent with the written policies of The Ohio State University. 3. The intent of the Acceptable Use Policy is to define certain cases that are consistent and certain cases that are not consistent with the purposes of SONNET, not to exhaustively enumerate all such possible uses. 4. The Director of Academic Computing Services or his/her designee may make an initial operational determination that particular uses are or are not consistent with the purposes of SONNET. The Network Working Group (NETWOG) may make a recommendation that particular uses are or are not consistent with the purposes of SONNET. The Research Computing Advisory Committee (RCAC) or the Instructional Computing Advisory Committee (ICAC) may make a final policy determination that particular uses are or are not consistent with the purposes of SONNET. Such determinations will be reported to the user community. 5. If a use is consistent with the purposes of SONNET, then activities in direct support of that use will be considered consistent with the purposes of SONNET. For example, administrative communications in support of the missions of The Ohio State University are acceptable and encouraged. 6. Use in support of research or instruction is acceptable and encouraged. 7. Use for a project that is part of, or supports, a research or instructional activity for The Ohio State University is acceptable even if any or all parties to the use are located or employed elsewhere. For example, communications between industrial affiliates engaged in support of a project of The Ohio State University are acceptable. 8. Use for commercial activities or for-profit activities is generally not acceptable unless it can be justified under (5) above. For example, product advertising, mass mailings of commercial matter, and commercial transactions for for-profit activities are prohibited. 9. It is not acceptable to use SONNET for illegal purposes. 10. It is not acceptable to use SONNET to transmit libelous or harassing materials, as consistent with (2) and/or (9) above. 11. It is not acceptable to use SONNET so as to interfere with or disrupt SONNET operation, networked resources, information, or communications traffic. Disruptions include propagation of computer "worms" and "viruses". 12. It is assumed that resources and information available via SONNET are private to those individuals and departments which own or hold rights to those resources and information, unless specifically stated otherwise by the owners or holders of the rights. It is therefore not acceptable to use SONNET to access resources or information unless permission to do so has been granted; in other words, it is not acceptable to use SONNET to make unauthorized entry to any machine. It is not acceptable to use SONNET to intercept the data content of communications traffic intended for another user. 13. It is not acceptable to have unauthenticated "general use" accounts or "open" (without password) computers or terminal servers that can access external networks that are connected to SONNET. These networks include CICNet, OARnet, and NSFNET. Non Compliance Response Non compliance with the SONNET Network Policy may result in the temporary disconnection of computers or networks from SONNET until the problem is resolved. Individuals may be subject to penalties under the regulations of The Ohio State University and/or criminal penalties under laws of the State of Ohio or the United States. Monitoring of the Network Academic Computing Services reserves the right to monitor any network connected to SONNET for the gathering of statistics and to ensure reliable operation of SONNET. This does not include reading data content, but by necessity, does include examining packet headers and trailers to determine operational characteristics such as protocol types, proper use of network addresses, traffic demand, etc. SONNET Connection Procedures 1. All SONNET connections are initiated by submitting an application form with the appropriate financial commitments and approvals to the Director of Academic Computing Services. 2. All departments or logical units connected to SONNET are responsible for having a Local Network Administrator who will act as a focal point for interfacing with Academic Computing Services and for providing first-level network support to their users. This person's name, phone numbers, postal address, and electronic mail address are to be provided to Academic Computing Services. 3. Local Network Administrators will be assigned a block of IP addresses for their department's computers. The Local Network Administrators are responsible for their department network software, and for assigning unique names and IP addresses to individual computers. 4. Local Network Administrators are required to register all computer and terminal server names and addresses in the SONNET Domain Name System. (Information and assistance is available from the SONNET Network Information Center.) 5. Local Network Administrators are responsible for maintaining their department's or unit's computers in conformance with the Internet Host Requirements. 6. Before purchasing network hardware and software, departments are encouraged to consult with Academic Computing Services to ensure SONNET compatibility of their purchases. Vendor claims are often unreliable. SONNET Principles 1. TCP/IP is the standard communications protocol. 2. No user computers will be connected directly to the SONNET backbone. 3. Local building traffic will be isolated to that building, unless requested by all departments of each building involved. 4. Local traffic of any ACS Public Lab will be isolated from the building's network. We recommend that departmental student labs also follow this procedure. 5. Unnecessary or unreasonable waste of SONNET bandwidth is not permitted. For example, diskless workstation boot, swap, and page traffic are not permitted through the SONNET backbone. 6. A local area network server or other computer device must be configured to not use services of other servers or devices, unless permission has been granted from the owners of the other servers or devices. Refer any comments about this document to acspub@magnus. Indicate Document #977 in the subject line of your message. ________________