COMPUTER AND NETWORK SERVICES

GENERAL POLICY ON THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
http://www.uc.edu/ucit/itgenpolicy.html
As an institution of higher learning, the University both uses information technology and supplies it to the members of the university community. This policy sets forth the general rights and responsibilities common to all uses of information technology, from the simple stand-alone PC to the complex systems that create virtual classrooms, workplaces and recreational facilities in the University.

PEER-TO-PEER FILE SHARING (P2P)
Unauthorized peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing on college and university campuses is receiving increasing attention from the entertainment industry, the media and the United States Congress. Although P2P file sharing on university networks is not unlawful, such activity is not necessarily harmless [or without harm] especially as it can lead to a violation of the federal copyright law. Indeed, many students using popular software, such as KaZaA, Direct Connect, Morpheus and Gnutella, intentionally or advertently infringe on copyrighted works relating to music, movies, computer software, video games, and photographs. Lawsuit filings indicate copyright owners are taking the offensive against infringements on their protected works. Students need to know their rights and responsibilities, and their potential liability for unlawful P2P activities.

The basis for copyright law is found in Article 1 of the United States Constitution and codified in Title 17 (the “Copyright Act”) of the United States Code. The Copyright Act lists exclusive rights of copyright holders, including reproduction and distribution of the copyrighted work, both of which are implicated in P2P file sharing. There are three types of infringement. Under direct infringement, a person is liable for his or her own infringing conduct; under contributory infringement, a person may be liable if he or she knows of the infringing activity, and induces, causes, or materially contributes to the infringing conduct of another; under vicarious infringement, a person may be liable if he or she has the right and ability to supervise the infringing activity and also has a direct financial interest in the activity. Most users of P2P networks fall under the direct infringement category. However, even without directly infringing conduct, students who operate or encourage the use of such networks may be open to contributory or vicarious claims.

Downloading, possessing or distributing copyrighted material without the owners’ permission is also a violation of the University’s General Policy on the Use of Information Technology (http://www.uc.edu/ucit/itgenpolicy.html). The University of Cincinnati does not actively monitor illicit or inappropriate activities, nor is it under any obligation to defend or accept responsibility for its students’ illegal actions in the P2P context.

The University of Cincinnati expects our user community to act in a proper and responsible computing manner and to the extent possible attempts to thwart illegal file sharing. However, if illegal or inappropriate activities are brought to our attention, the University will take all reasonable and appropriate actions. Copyright violations will generate a report to the office of Student Life-University Judicial Affairs as part of the University’s disciplinary action process. This can result in a variety of actions, including removal of computer privileges and probation. Additionally, the copyright holder of the material found on your system may take legal action against violators.

What can you do to be part of the solution? Avoid downloading, distributing or possessing copyrighted material over the Internet and the UC internal network unless you have received explicit permission from the owner or their official representative, or have paid an access or license fee to obtain the material. If you are using a peer-to-peer application you should consider removing it from your system prior to connecting to the University’s network. If you do not remove the application, you should ensure your system is set to prevent the application from acting as a provider of unlicensed materials to other users. Failure to restrict the application, whether you are aware of the violation or not, will result in the University’s information technology unit (UCit) removing your machine from the network until the copyright violation is rectified.

SPAM PREVENTION
http://www.uc.edu/infosec/HowToFightSpam.htm
It is the responsibility of each computer user to take steps to safeguard against increasing the amount of spam that comes into the University. A thorough review of “How To Fight Spam” will help to understand the world of spam and how you can help control it.

DISCOUNTED AND FREE SOFTWARE
http://www.uc.edu/ucit/helpdesk/software/default.html
The University of Cincinnati has negotiated favorable software licensing agreements for many applications. If you do not find the software application that you need, contact the Help Desk at 513-556-HELP(4357) or send an e-mail to helpdesk@uc.edu. Include the product(s) that you need.

E-MAIL – YOUR UNIVERSITY ACCOUNT
http://www.uc.edu/email/
Your e-mail account is the official means of communication from the University. You are expected to check it regularly. Please visit the e-mail website above for more information on how to access your e-mail.

UCFILESPACE
http://ucfilespace.uc.edu/
UCFileSpace is UC’s online file storage service, providing you with 1 GB of personal storage space. Using this service, you can access your UCFileSpace from anywhere on the UC campus network. If you connect to the campus network from off campus using UC’s VPN service, you can access your UCFileSpace from anywhere in the world. You can also use your UCFileSpace to publish a personal web site. Just drop your web pages into your Sites folder, then go to http://homepages.uc.edu/~username to view your pages online.

PRINTING ON CAMPUS
UC provides each student with 100 free black-and-white prints per quarter. After that, standard black-and-white prints are 7 cents per page. Larger page sizes and color printing are available in some locations. Charges for those services are higher, and vary based on paper size, color, and print quality. Call 513-556-1215 for more information.

ORDERING A PC
UCit has negotiated special pricing on Dell computers for personal purchases. Although Dell’s prices are attractive, the individual buyer may be able to negotiate a better price elsewhere. However, Dell offers additional value such as a three-year warranty included with the purchase, and the high quality standards that make Dell a market leader in the computer industry.

Dell Order Link: http://www.dell.com/uc
Dell Order instructions: http://www.uc.edu/ucit/helpdesk/desktop_support_svcs/DellOrder.html
Dell Support: http://www.uc.edu/ucit/helpdesk/desktop_support_svcs/
OrderSupport.html

Software: See Discounted and Free Software

GETTING ONLINE
http://www.uc.edu/ucit/access/resnet.html

Connecting From Off-Campus: UC Remote Access (UCRA)
UCRA is a service provided by UCit and is available, free of charge, to any UC registered student, faculty, and staff. UCRA provides the UC community with home access (from the local Cincinnati calling area) to the UC Network (UCNet) and the Internet using a computer and a standard telephone line. The student modems/lines can be accessed from off campus via 513-861-9501.

How do I get a UCRA Account?
https://www.uc.edu/ucit/online/ucra_sign_up.asp

Connecting From On-Campus: ResNet
ResNet is the computer network provided to students living in the residence halls, except the Stratford Heights complex (see section “Stratford Heights Telephone and Network Services” for connection directions). Each room has wiring for a 100MB Ethernet connection. This type of connection provides much faster transfer rates than with a modem or high speed broadband connection.

To access the UCNet:

• Your computer must be equipped with a Network Interface Card (NIC) and configured for a LAN connection.
• You must plug into an active data jack with a category 5E (or above) patch cord (see “Resnet Services”).
• Hubs, routers or wireless access points are not allowed on the UCNet.
• You must have a valid Central Login Service (CLS) username and password.
• Game box devices such as the XBox, Play Station, or Wii connect directly into a data jack with a Category 5e (or above) ethernet cable.
• For a user to access the UCNet, your computer must be authenticated and verified as having the appropriate security software in place to minimize the vulnerabilities to pass viruses throughout the network. UC uses SafeConnect to provide this service. Please refer to “UCNet and SafeConnect” section of this manual for instructions and additional information on SafeConnect.
• Stratford Heights residents see section “Stratford Heights Telephone and Network Services” for how to connect to the network. After connecting, return to this page for complete requirements.

SafeConnect Policy Key System Requirements
 

Recommend:

-McAfee VirusScan Enterprise + AntiSpyware Enterprise V8.5.0i for Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista

Download from (if no anti-virus is installed during installation, the notification presented will provide a link to this site): http://www.uc.edu/ucit/computers/software/mcafee.asp

Each room is equipped with a number of data jacks equal to the maximum capacity for that room (e.g., double rooms have two jacks). Each Student Resident is allowed one active computer connection as a condition of his/her residence hall/apartment lease agreement. If additional connectivity is desired, the student may submit a request by completing the Online Data Jack Connectivity form. Information concerning this service is available through the reception area of each residence hall. Housing and Food Services Office must approve all service requests before service will be provided. If the request is approved, there will be an activation fee per school term for each additional data connection that is activated. This fee must be paid before activation.

Requests for Changes or Moves
https://www.uc.edu/ucitstudentgetit/login.aspx

Requests are not accepted during the first two weeks of school. Changes in your network data jack to another jack within the same room or moving your network connection to another room may be requested by submitting the Data Jack Connectivity Form. To order dormitory connectivity, enter the website shown above. To report dormitory connectivity problems, call the Help Desk at 513-556-HELP (4357).

See below for Ethernet card and cable instructions.

RESNET SERVICES

For troubles and technical assistance, call the Help Desk at 513-556-4357 or stop by the ResNet Student Walk-In Center, 453 Dabney Hall, B10 Calhoun Hall, and Stratford Heights at 2 Law Grad (SH10), open M-F, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Ethernet Card Installations/ Network Configuration/ Software Issues
Ethernet card installations, network configuration, and software support is available Monday through Friday through ResNet Services. ResNet technicians will assist you with basic software and hardware support issues. It will be noted that while basic support issues will be addressed by ResNet technicians, there are some problems requiring expertise and materials that may require an outside source for solution. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with these resources.

Solutions for Common Problems
You must use the proper connectivity cord to access the University’s Ethernet Network: Ethernet Connectivity is supported by a Category 5e (or above) patch cord. Phone cords will not provide connectivity to the University Network. The University Bookstore sells Category 5e patch cords, or they are available at most retail outlets that provide computer hardware and peripherals.

Phone cords will not provide connectivity to the University Network.

You must plug into an active data jack with a category 5E (or above) patch cord.

While there may be multiple data jacks in a residence, only designated jacks are active. Active data jacks will be distinctively marked with a colored paper dot. Residents may use only the data jack that has been assigned to them. Requests to change data jacks should be made by submitting a Data Jack Connectivity request to Housing and Food Services for approval. Upon approval, ResNet will normally provide service within one business day.

UCIT COMPUTER LABS
UCit operates nine computer labs on the main campus. These labs are available to all UC students, faculty, and staff. Each lab computer has access to popular software for Internet access, document editing with Microsoft Office, statistical analysis, and multimedia editing. All labs have one or more black-and-white laser printers, and color printing is available in some locations.

• The UCit Student Technology Resources Center (STRC), 630 Steger Student Life Center. The UCit STRC includes a 24-hour computer lab, as well as a walk-in help desk, creative design center for multimedia editing, Internet Express kiosks, and break-out rooms for small group work. Wireless network access is available throughout the facility.
• Internet Express kiosks, 200-level University Pavilion. The kiosks in the Internet Express lab in University Pavilion provide quick access to check e-mail, access a web site, or take a quick look at Blackboard.
• 2145 French-West
• 31 McMicken Hall
• 825 Old Chemistry Building
• 616C Rieveschl Hall (evening hours only)
• UCit@Langsam, 540 Langsam Library

For complete information, including operating hours and a list of available software, visit the UCit Computer Labs web site at: http://labs.uc.edu/

Call-In Help Desk: 513-556-HELP(4357)

If you have trouble with ResNet Sign On, contact the UCit Helpdesk at 556-HELP, Monday - Friday: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

IT Handbook
Student Planner Campus & IT Handbook

UCit, Directory Services PO Box 210107 Cincinnati, OH 45221-0107 E-Mail: Directory.Services@UC.Edu