ResNet

ResNet Terms and Conditions

Cornell University has policies and codes that govern the use of university computers and networks. In order to facilitate the administration of the ResNet service and to maintain equitable use of finite network resources, additional terms and conditions apply to the use of this service. Please note that all terms and conditions are subject to change.

• Cost Of Service: The ResNet service is included in the Cornell University network usage-based billing system (NUBB). On-campus network traffic is not tracked by NUBB. The network billing threshold for off-campus (Internet) network traffic is 10 Gigabytes per month. Off-campus network traffic beyond 10 Gigabytes total per month incurs a charge of $0.0015 per Megabyte. The 10 Gigabyte billing threshold is measured against the total off-campus network usage for each individual and includes the total usage of all IP addresses attached to each student, both for ResNet and Wi-Fi (RedRover).
  
  Additionally, there is a monthly fee for ResNet service. This fee is included in Campus Life housing costs for all undergraduate and graduate university residence halls. For fraternities, sororities, and co-ops the fee is $21.35 per month. The specific residences where the $21.35 per month fee applies are:
  
      • 722 University Ave.
      • Delta Tau Delta (1 Campus Rd.)
      • Kappa Kappa Gamma (508 Thurston Ave.)
      • Phi Kappa Psi (525 Stewart Ave.)
      • Pi Beta Phi (330 Triphammer Rd.)
      • Psi Upsilon (2 Forest Park Lane)
      • Sigma Alpha Mu (Phillips House/10 Sisson Place)
      • Sigma Phi (1 Forest Park Lane)
      • Sigma Phi Epsilon (109 McGraw Place)
      • Wait Avenue Co-op (302 Wait Ave.)
      • Wait Terrace (308 Wait Ave.)
  
  All ResNet billing is by the calendar month. For periods of service less than one month, monthly charges for ResNet service to Greek residences and co-ops are pro-rated based on the actual number of days subscribed.
  
  
• IP Address Usage: ResNet subscribers are assigned an IP address for use with their specific computer or other networkable device (such as a router). The use of any ResNet IP address other than that assigned by ResNet is prohibited. Subscribers who change jacks or rooms must update their subscription with ResNet (this can be done on-line) to receive their new IP address for that new location. Use of unassigned IP addresses can cause conflicts, possibly resulting in a disruption of service for the person assigned that address.
  
  This does not apply to computers or other networkable devices which are located behind a router, network address translation device (NAT), or similar hardware that provides IP addresses which are not assigned to a particular ResNet subnet.
  
  ResNet subscribers are provided with one IP address for their primary computer or system. Additional IP addresses (up to a maximum of two additional) may be available for multiple computers or networkable devices on a limited basis. The availability of additional IP addresses is not guaranteed, and any additional IP addresses issued may need to be recovered by ResNet without advance notice. Subscribers may use a router, NAT, or similar device to connect multiple computers or networkable devices using a single ResNet IP address.
  
  
• Unregistered Network Devices: Any computer or other networkable device connected directly to the ResNet network must be registered with ResNet. The use of an unregistered device on any campus network is forbidden under University Policy 5.7: “Network Registry.” This includes, but is not limited to, game consoles, PDAs, printers, and any other networkable device. Subscribers can still use these devices, but they must be properly registered.
  
  Registration is not required if a device is connected via a router, network address translation device (NAT), or similar hardware that provides networking without assigning the peripheral device an IP address from a ResNet subnet (although the corresponding router or NAT must itself be registered).
  
  
• Hostnames: All ResNet IP addresses have associated hostnames that are registered automatically after a user subscribes. Hostnames assigned are anonymous, with a prefix consisting of a string of letters and numbers followed by RESNET.CORNELL.EDU (for example: R4567.RESNET.CORNELL.EDU). Vanity hostnames are not available at this time.
  
  Registration of Cornell-owned ResNet IP addresses with external (to the university) hostname registration agencies is also prohibited. In addition, the registration of ".COM" commercial hostnames to a ResNet IP address is considered a violation of the Cornell University Policy Regarding Abuse of Computers and Network Systems which prohibits the use of computers connected to the campus network for commercial purposes.
  
  
• Bandwidth Utilization: Cornell sizes and acquires Internet bandwidth and network resources based on past usage statistics. While every effort is made to assure ample bandwidth is available to all campus network users, unexpected peak demand may cause degradation of services to all users until additional bandwidth is installed. To manage the impact at these times, traffic may be prioritized to assure critical communications are not adversely impacted.
  
  Additionally, it is very important to note that extreme bandwidth utilization will result in very large usage charges being billed under the network usage-based billing system.
  
  
• Scanning & Network Security: As a standard business practice, CIT collects data about use of campus services and networks. This is typically "log data," that provides information about the nature of an activity but not its actual content. Note, in particular, that the content of e-mail is not scanned. Log data is an important source of resolving system and network problems, including being able to determine when a campus computer has been attacked.
  
  Data collection is in compliance with University Policy 5.1: "Responsible Use of Electronic Communications" (visit the Information Technologies Rights and Responsibilities page for more information).
  
  All computers and networkable devices connected to ResNet will also be subjected to an initial vulnerability scan immediately after subscribing to the service. Any systems Cornell's IT Security Office finds to be insecure or otherwise vulnerable to compromise may have access to campus networks restricted, or denied, until such time as the user takes the necessary steps to secure their system.
  
  The ResNet networks are periodically rescanned for vulnerable computers. Moreover, the IT Security Office regularly monitors all campus networks, including ResNet, for systems showing signs infection by a worm, virus or Trojan Horse, or other types of intrusion and compromise. Again, systems displaying serious vulnerabilities or problematic behavior will have their network access restricted or denied until the issue has been resolved.
  
  
• General Usage: University owned computers and networks are governed by policies and codes as well as federal, state, and local laws. In addition, all non-university computers and servers using these networks are governed by the same policies. Among other restrictions, the operation of any commercial or for-profit enterprise or advertising is prohibited, along with any re-sale of access or services. Illegal activities -- including, but not limited to, such practices as fraud, harassment, software piracy, and copyright infringement -- are, of course, also prohibited. In addition, IP spoofing, packet sniffing, virus distribution, or any activities that disrupts the network are violations of Cornell computer abuse policies. Legitimate use of a computer or network system does not extend to whatever an individual is capable of doing with it.
  
  The university reserves the right to place limited restrictions on the use of its computers and network systems in response to complaints presenting evidence of violations of university policies or codes, or state or federal laws. Once evidence is established, computers involved in alleged violations may be disconnected from the network until the situation is resolved. For further details on Cornell policies and codes, refer to http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/responsible-use/.
  
  
• User Responsibility: ResNet subscribers are personally responsible for all use of their computers and network connections and will be held accountable for any violations that occur involving their computer or network connections. Students should only allow others to use their machine with the full understanding of the consequences of that action.
  
  In addition, it is the responsibility of all users to maintain reasonable security for their systems. This includes using a secure administrator password, installing the latest operating system and web browser security updates, running a client firewall, and maintaining up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
  
  Subscribers are responsible for all network usage and usage-based network charges associated with their computer and/or network connection. This includes all network traffic originating from off-campus for the purposes of connecting to or downloading from a computer, server, or other network device on ResNet (such as occurs with file-sharing).
  
  Subscribers who operate servers are additionally required to operate any servers in a secure manner (no anonymous access, maintaining accurate logs, good password protocols, etc.). Servers with inadequate security are often used by hackers to gain access to other campus hosts. Any server involved in a break-in attempt will be disconnected from the campus network immediately.
  
  Subscribers who use their own wireless access point, router, NAT, or similar network device are responsible for all network traffic associated with those devices. This includes network traffic which may result from other users connecting via these devices. Users should be particularly cautious of operating their own wireless access point as these devices, if unsecured, can be used by other individuals with wireless cards to access the network and generate usage charges on the connection belonging to the owner of the wireless access point. It is the responsibility of the subscriber to secure, monitor, and administer their wireless access point if they choose to operate one. Operators of a wireless access point will be held responsible for all network usage charges incurred, and may also be held liable for any misuse, including if the wireless node is accessed by other individuals.
  
  Personal wireless access points must not interfere with the operation of any CIT or Cornell wireless network or device. Any wireless access point found to be interfering with the operation of a CIT or Cornell wireless network or device may be subject to immediate removal from the network until the interference is resolved.
  
  
• Access Billing: ResNet reserves the right to bill for any unauthorized use of a network connection. ResNet is a for-fee service and anyone attempting to use the service without proper authorization will be billed for all usage and may be referred to the appropriate university authority.

In addition to the policies described in this document, as a user of university resources you are subject to applicable local, State, and Federal laws, as well as all relevant university and CIT policies. Violations of this policy may be prosecuted under the Campus Code of Conduct or the Code of Academic Integrity. Violations will be referred to the Cornell Judicial Administrator, to the appropriate Cornell body adjudicating academic integrity, and/or to the appropriate local, State, and Federal authorities, as required. ResNet reserves the right to investigate suspected violations using all appropriate means. Furthermore, ResNet may terminate or restrict any person's access to its resources, without prior notice, if such action is necessary to maintain availability, security, and/or integrity of operations for other users of those resources. All users of university resources are expected to be familiar with and to abide by these regulations.

For more information:
Phone: 607-255-8990
E-mail: HelpDesk@cornell.edu
World Wide Web: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/responsible-use/