NYU WEB

ResNet: Putting the Dorms on the Net

Joshua G. Feldman

Student dorms are joining NYU-NET. Previously, residence-hall rooms were connected via Ethernet individually, on demand, and only in Third North and Goddard. Now, whole residence halls are being wired, with connections available for every student. Eventually, all residence halls will be wired.

This systematic rollout has begun this fall at Brittany, Goddard, and Third Avenue North. This initial phase consists of 1415 data jacks serving about 2000 students (some will use hublets in their rooms to allow a single jack to serve two people). The residence-hall network consists of a fiber-optic backbone linked to switches that split the available bandwidth among a number of secure hubs. These special hubs permit links only with computers that have Ethernet addresses pre-registered with the ACF.

Students must provide their own computers and Ethernet cards, but registration, connection, and services are without charge. Students can register for the service using a Web-based form at http://www.nyu.edu/acf/resnet .

This residence-hall network is called ResNet -- a term widely used in academe. ResNet is fully distinct, buffered from NYU-NET by its own dedicated router. Support services will be provided by a staff of student employees called, appropriately, ResTechs. ResTechs live in the residence halls they serve, providing help to their neighbors. They are dispatched via pager by the ACF HelpLine.

The ResNet project is a joint undertaking of ACF and the Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs. [ C ]

Joshua Feldman is the ACF ResNet Coordinator.
resnet.coordinator@nyu.edu

Posted 23 September 1996; revised 22 October 1996