ResNet Acceptable Use Policy
Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Am I allowed to download and share MP3 files using Ares, KaZaA, iMesh, Gnutella, Morpheus, etc.?

Answer: While there is nothing fundamentally wrong with downloading and sharing files over the network, there are some things you should know about filesharing applications such as those mentioned above:

• Filesharing (or peer-to-peer) applications can potentially consume huge amounts of bandwidth and slow the network for everyone else. In situations where all available bandwidth is in use, network traffic generated by filesharing applications will be automatically limited in order to ensure an adequate share of bandwidth for other applications.
  
  
• There is nothing implicitly illegal about MP3 files — MP3 is simply a file format. However, the content of an MP3 file is the 'intellectual property' of the person who originally created it, and the copyright law goes into effect the second it is created, regardless of whether or not it's marked as being copyrighted. You should never download or share copyrighted material unless authorized to do so by the copyright holder. This holds true not only for MP3s, but also for other copyrighted music media, digitized video from copyrighted motion pictures, etc. If you're not sure if you can legally download or share a file, don't take the chance.
  
  
• Finally, you should know that many filesharing applications require your computer to act as a server for others. Not only does this further expose you to possible copyright infringement, it also means that any time your computer is turned on, it can be consuming huge amounts of university bandwidth, even if you're not around.

Question: Can I set up my computer to be a web server?

Answer: Yes, you can, as long as it's not being used to run a business or make a profit. However, if your computer is found to be responsible for generating excessive levels of network traffic, your service may be discontinued without warning. Also, running any kind of server gives you the additional responsibility of responding to any use of your server (by others) which may violate the ResNet Acceptable Use policy.

Question: Can I run Linux (or some other server OS) on the computer in my room?

Answer: Yes, provided you're experienced configuring Linux to behave nicely on a large network such as ResNet. For example, Linux includes a plethora of network services, including DNS and DHCP, which, if configured improperly, can prevent ALL residents from accessing the Internet. In such a situation, we'll be forced to disconnect you from the network immediately and without warning.

If you aren't sure what DNS and DHCP are, it's a good sign you shouldn't run Linux or any other server OS on the computer in your room.

Question: Can I install an Airport base station (or some other wireless network access point) in my room?

Answer: No. Because of limited channel range and possible interference with university-owned wireless access points, student-owned wireless access points are not permitted in the residence halls.

Question: Am I allowed to play multi-user games on the network?

Answer: Yes. The service which ResNet provides is for both academic and non-academic uses. If a situation arises where all available network bandwidth is in use, network traffic flows considered to be "academic" will automatically take precedence over "non-academic" flows. In other words, multi-user network games will perform best when demand for bandwidth is lowest (i.e. mornings and very late at night).

Question: Since ResNet staff members have access to operating system CDs, can they use them to re-install Windows for me?

Answer: No. ResNet staff members are issued Windows CDs in case they need to install a particular driver on your system. We can only install the complete OS if you provide the installation CD.