Spring Break
University P2P Policy To Change
Andrew Porter
Issue date: 4/11/06 Section: News
Due to an increase in the costs of bandwidth on the UConn network, UConn Information Technology Services (UITS) recently announced the implementation of bandwidth restrictions on all peer-to-peer file sharing programs. Beginning in fall 2006 all peer-to-peer programs will be blocked on the network.
Peer-to-peer programs are applications that allow users to share files or programs between multiple computers over the Internet. Some popular programs include Limewire and Morpheus.
The current restrictions on these programs allow them to work, but limit their ability to consume network bandwidth and restrict their network speed. According to a campus-wide e-mail from UITS, similar restrictions have been on the network in the past from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they now apply to the entire day.
"It's not prevention, but a restriction," said Elaine David, assistant vice-president for Information Services and the director of Information Technology Security, Policy and Quality Assurance.
Beginning in the fall semester, all peer-to-peer programs will be blocked by default on the UConn network, and users will have to request permission to use them for a short amount of time.
"Our initial approach is to disable all peer-to-peer programs, then we'll put a mechanism in place to allow their use," said Mike Lang, a security analyst with UITS. "But we haven't worked out complete details yet, and once we implement the program, we'll make adjustments based on user feedback."
When someone is granted permission to use peer-to-peer programs, they will be given a time window in which they can use the programs. During that window they will have no bandwidth limits and once it has closed they can re-apply for more time.
"Before we put the program in place, we will communicate what we're doing, when we're doing it and how to use it to the university community," David said.
Not all methods of sharing files will be affected though.
"The restrictions are only in place between the UConn network edge and the Internet," Lang said.
As a result, programs that allow users to share within the UConn network, such as the popular DC++ will be unaffected.
"I don't want to lose Limewire," said Jen Stebbins, a 4th-semester math education major. "I use it a lot, I probably get 10 to 20 songs a week."
"It won't affect me too much," said Chris Papa, a 2nd-semester pre-pharmacy major. "I basically only use DC++. I have Limewire, but I don't really use it unless I'm off campus anyway."
The new policies will also place renewed emphasis on the importance of copyright law and piracy.
"We do have a university policy that states use of the UConn network must follow all state and local laws, including copyright laws," David said. "Stating in the fall, part of the process to access peer-to-peer programs will be an agreement that all use of the programs will be legitimate."
Peer-to-peer programs are applications that allow users to share files or programs between multiple computers over the Internet. Some popular programs include Limewire and Morpheus.
The current restrictions on these programs allow them to work, but limit their ability to consume network bandwidth and restrict their network speed. According to a campus-wide e-mail from UITS, similar restrictions have been on the network in the past from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they now apply to the entire day.
"It's not prevention, but a restriction," said Elaine David, assistant vice-president for Information Services and the director of Information Technology Security, Policy and Quality Assurance.
Beginning in the fall semester, all peer-to-peer programs will be blocked by default on the UConn network, and users will have to request permission to use them for a short amount of time.
"Our initial approach is to disable all peer-to-peer programs, then we'll put a mechanism in place to allow their use," said Mike Lang, a security analyst with UITS. "But we haven't worked out complete details yet, and once we implement the program, we'll make adjustments based on user feedback."
When someone is granted permission to use peer-to-peer programs, they will be given a time window in which they can use the programs. During that window they will have no bandwidth limits and once it has closed they can re-apply for more time.
"Before we put the program in place, we will communicate what we're doing, when we're doing it and how to use it to the university community," David said.
Not all methods of sharing files will be affected though.
"The restrictions are only in place between the UConn network edge and the Internet," Lang said.
As a result, programs that allow users to share within the UConn network, such as the popular DC++ will be unaffected.
"I don't want to lose Limewire," said Jen Stebbins, a 4th-semester math education major. "I use it a lot, I probably get 10 to 20 songs a week."
"It won't affect me too much," said Chris Papa, a 2nd-semester pre-pharmacy major. "I basically only use DC++. I have Limewire, but I don't really use it unless I'm off campus anyway."
The new policies will also place renewed emphasis on the importance of copyright law and piracy.
"We do have a university policy that states use of the UConn network must follow all state and local laws, including copyright laws," David said. "Stating in the fall, part of the process to access peer-to-peer programs will be an agreement that all use of the programs will be legitimate."