To facilitate Cornell University’s administration of the RedRover Wi-Fi network service and to maintain equitable use of finite network resources, the following terms and conditions apply to the use of this service. All terms and conditions are subject to change.
Unless otherwise specified, the term “RedRover” in this document refers to all versions of the service.
RedRover is Cornell University’s Wi-Fi network service. It is administered by Cornell Information Technologies (CIT).
RedRover is available in select areas on campus, including the libraries, many dining facilities, and student common areas. Coverage is not ubiquitous on campus or within buildings, and signal strength may vary within service areas.
Two versions of RedRover are offered. Connection instructions are at www.cit.cornell.edu/services/redrover/howto.cfm.
1.1 RedRover-Secure RedRover-Secure is for use by members of the Cornell community who have a valid Cornell NetID. It is secure; it encrypts the wireless portions of data transmissions. Users are encouraged to use RedRover-Secure whenever possible.
1.2 RedRover RedRover is for use by members of the Cornell community who have a valid Cornell NetID. It is not secure; users should assume that all unencrypted data transmitted via RedRover can be viewed by others. Visitors who do not have, and are not eligible to receive, NetIDs may register for short-term network access.
2.1 Registration for RedRover-Secure and RedRover Per University Policy 5.7 (Network Registry), any computer or other networkable device connected to RedRover-Secure or RedRover must be registered to the primary user or administrator’s Cornell NetID. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, game consoles, PDAs, printers, and servers. Vistiors without NetIds must also register.
Renewal of MAC address registration is required at least annually. Renewal may be required more frequently, or in response to substantive changes in the RedRover terms and conditions
2.2 IP Address Assignment RedRover-Secure and RedRover users are assigned a dynamic IP address when they connect to the network. The use of any IP address other than the assigned address is prohibited. Use of unassigned IP addresses can cause conflicts and disrupt service for the user or other users.
3.1 Device Security Per University Policy 5.4.1 (Security of Information Technology Resources), RedRover users are responsible for maintaining reasonable security on their computer or other networkable device. For use of RedRover, this responsibility 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 driver, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software.
3.2 RedRover Security Only RedRover-Secure is secure; it encrypts the wireless portions of data transmissions. Users should choose RedRover-Secure whenever possible. RedRover is not secure. Users should assume that all unencrypted data transmitted via RedRover can be viewed by others.
The use of computers and other networkable devices that are owned by Cornell University, or that connect to Cornell University networks, is governed by and subject to Cornell University policies and codes, and is governed by and subject to local, state, and federal laws.
Activities prohibited by university policies and codes, or by local, state, and federal laws, are prohibited on RedRover. In particular, RedRover users should be familiar with these university policies:
4.1 Examples of Prohibited Activities Activities that are prohibited on RedRover include, but are not limited to:
- fraud
- harassment
- software piracy
- copyright infringement
- operation of any commercial or for-profit enterprise or advertising
- re-sale of access or services
- IP spoofing
- MAC spoofing
- packet sniffing
- virus distribution
- any activity that disrupts Cornell’s networks
4.2 Policy Violations Policy violations, or violations of the RedRover terms and conditions, 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. CIT reserves the right to investigate suspected violations using all appropriate means.
5.1 Faculty/Staff Billing There is no faculty/staff billing for the use of RedRover.
5.2 Student Billing Network usage-based billing (NUBB) applies to student use of RedRover. All use of Cornell University’s wide area network (Internet usage to or from off-campus sites) via RedRover is applied toward the student’s monthly base allocation, which is 10 GB (gigabytes). Wide area network usage above 10 GB per month is billed per additional MB (megabyte), see network rates.
Students are notified via e-mail to their Cornell NetID when their usage exceeds 10 GB.
Students who believe they have been billed in error are responsible for notifying CIT within 90 days of the billing date on which the usage in question is reported. CIT will not honor refund requests submitted after that period has elapsed.
5.3 Responsibility for Charges Incurred Network users are responsible for all network usage-based billing charges associated with their computer, networkable devices, and/or network connection. This responsibility includes network traffic that originates off campus and connects to the network user’s computer, server, or other networkable devices (such as occurs with file sharing), regardless of the user’s awareness of said network traffic.
6.1 Connection Speeds Even in pristine conditions, the speed of RedRover (and any Wi-Fi connection) is slower than wired networks. Because RedRover is a shared connection, speed is affected by the number of users sharing the same wireless access point and the amount of bandwidth demanded by those users’ activities.
6.2 Interference The performance of RedRover may suffer service degradation in the presence of other devices that operate in the same radio frequencies. Devices that can interfere with RedRover include, but are not limited to, unregistered wireless access points, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz cordless handset telephones, 2.4 GHz wireless cameras, wireless video/audio transmissions and transceivers, and microwave ovens.
6.3 Physical Barriers and Constraints The performance of RedRover may be affected by physical barriers and constraints between the user and the wireless access point. These barriers and constraints may be static or moveable, and may even be located on a different floor. Performance variations may occur in as narrow a range as 3 feet (0.9 meter).
6.4 Downtimes and Maintenance RedRover may experience planned and unplanned outages. Outages will be communicated via the Net-Announce-L e-list. Planned outages will be scheduled during the standard CIT maintenance windows whenever possible.
Problems with RedRover networks that occur during standard weekday business hours should be reported to the CIT Contact Center (607 255-8990). On nights, weekends, and holidays, problems should be reported to the Network Operations Center (NOC) at 607 255-9900.
Cornell University reserves the right to place limited restrictions on the use of its computers and network systems in response to complaints presenting evidence of violation of university policies or codes, or state or federal laws. Once evidence is established, computers involved in alleged violations may be disconnected from university networks, including RedRover, until the situation is resolved.
CIT may terminate or restrict any person’s access to RedRover, or any other CIT resources, without prior notice, if such action is necessary to maintain the availability, security, and/or integrity of operations for other users of those resources.
University policies in Information Technologies on electronic data and communications apply to all wireless data networking. Relevant parts of those policies include the privacy, non-interference and finite capacity provisions in the Policy Regarding Abuse of Computers and Network Systems. Under the Responsible Use of Electronic Communications Policy, the University reserves the right to limit access to its network under certain and particular circumstances, such as in the case of security, legal or policy violations. Misrepresenting one's identity on the network is a violation of university policy. University policy also incorporates all applicable federal and state laws. Third party "spoofing" monitoring, recording or "listening-in" on electronic communications violates both federal law and university policy.
For a practical interpretation of university networking policies, see Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities. Questions about the applicability of these policies to the use of wireless communications may be directed to the Policy Advisor, it-policies@cornell.edu.
Because wireless communications operate within the non-regulated radio frequency spectrum, interference is an unfortunate but an anticipated complication. In an effort to mediate this interference, the Office of Information Technologies (OIT) is establishing a board comprised of students, faculty, communication technologists, and information technology administrators to coordinate wireless communications. This board is the Cornell Wireless Commission (CWC).
July 21, 2006 memo from Stephen T. Golding, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration.
