The University is tightening its control of the network that connects thousands of students and faculty to the Internet with sophisticated computer technology donated by Intel.
The $720,000 worth of devices allow the Computing Center to limit the amount of available bandwidth, or the capacity to transfer information via cable modem and Ethernet wire, to users on the network. Copyrighted audio or video files downloaded illegally require high bandwidth.
The Intel technology doesn’t increase or enhance bandwidth, but better monitors network “traffic” so that resources are more equally divided among users. It puts caps on how much network “horsepower” is available to individual users and prioritizes uses for which the horsepower is allocated.
“We’re not really saying not to” use applications that require a lot of bandwidth, Associate Vice President for Information Services Joanne Hugi said. “But we’re not providing unlimited resources for some of these things because it brings the entire network to its knees.”
Previously, the University searched the files of high-bandwidth users to see if those users were downloading copyrighted material. The policing resulted in revoked Internet privileges for more than 130 students fall term and raised concerns the school was examining private property.
“We had a problem in December with people in the dorms consuming a lot of downloaded audio and video files,” Hugi said. “These devices allow you to control what’s coming in and under what category.”
Some of the devices enable the Computing Center to upgrade security for users on sites that demand privacy, such as DuckWeb, by encrypting information as it passes between a user’s Web browser and the Web page the user is visiting. These devices also ensure the user is visiting a certified Web page, not a thief’s replica.
Intel, an Internet technology company that employs about 15,000 people in Oregon, donated the network-managing devices in November and December because it had an equipment surplus. The gift consisted of seven Intel NetStructure 7370 Application Shapers, eight NetStructure CEA 7180 e-Commerce Directors and 14 NetStructure 7340 Traffic Shapers.
“Sometimes when they have surplus equipment, they ask if anyone is interested in it,” University Foundation employee Susan Plaff said. “We are on that list.”
Intel gave $892,000 in equipment to the University in 2001. In comparison, the technology mogul donated $917,000 to Oregon State University during the same period.
“Generally, when we give gifts of large equipment, we look at the relationship and strategic programs the school offers,” Intel Oregon spokeswoman Morgan Anderson said. Intel employs about 300 University graduates worldwide. “And we have a huge interest in the quality of schools. It’s Incredibly important for everyone to support higher education.”