Lamar University
Carl Parker Bld
P.O. Box 10079
Beaumont, TX 77710
409.880.8459

LUNET Policy


Lamar University networking facilities are intended to support the Academic Mission and the Administrative Functions of the University. LUNET is used to deliver services to the faculty, staff, and students of Lamar University as well as the citizens of the State of Texas. The Department of Data, Voice, and Video Networking (DVVN) is charged with the design, support, and maintenance of LUNET. LUNET is physically composed of the cabling, interface devices, circuits or special services, hubs, routers, switches, bridges, Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, Dial-Up Access, and Internet connection equipment required to offer network services on all campus-wide University systems. LUNET includes both the hardware and software required to transmit data, voice, and video traffic from one location to another. LUNET is currently a switched gigabit Ethernet network and may change with future advances in technology. Because of the complexity of design and significant investment of University resources, reliability and dependability can only be attained if all network users abide by a common network policy.

Campus-wide network planning, service, implementation and future expansion are the responsibility of DVVN, that department shall propose, establish, and enforce campus-wide policies established for the use of LUNET. Proposed rules shall be considered by the appropriate campus Academic and Administrative committees. All established rules for network use shall be followed by all LUNET users. Failure to abide by network policies may lead to cessation of services and disciplinary action.

DVVN provides and maintains connections to LUNET for devices operated by authorized users of the campus network. All equipment providing connection to LUNET is managed by DVVN and must not be tampered with or modified in any way. Unauthorized changes may corrupt database records and disrupt the service to other users. All equipment connected to the campus network must be properly identified so that disturbances of network services may be isolated and corrected. It is the responsibility of DVVN to notify the person responsible for the device as promptly as possible but the responsibility of DVVN to protect the integrity of LUNET supersedes the requirement of notification. Any device or computer host found to be interrupting or affecting the reliability of LUNET or the normal flow of network traffic will be disconnected from the network until the problem is resolved.

Connections to LUNET may only be made by DVVN personnel or personnel authorized by DVVN. It is the responsibility of DVVN to maintain a database of all equipment comprising LUNET, all equipment connected to LUNET, and all network activity. The data contained in the database is to be used for determining trouble history, analyzing traffic data, establishing growth patterns, and capacity planning. Remember that LUNET is a shared resource and belongs to the University community.

DVVN is the provider of wired and wireless connections for all campus facilities including offices, student computer labs, conference rooms, and student residence halls in support of the Educational Mission of the University. All requests for network connectivity must be made through the DVVN department. Sub networks may be approved for Departmental use by DVVN. Each sub network administrator is responsible for protecting LUNET from any activity or actions occurring from the sub network connection. Secondary sub network providers shall contact DVVN if contracting services are needed, and DVVN will submit an approved list of contractors familiar with LUNET's overall design. Using LUNET is a privilege, and as such it is the responsibility of each individual to use network services in compliance with University policies.

All users of LUNET facilities must abide by the Texas Computer Crimes Law under Section 1, Title 7, Chapter 33 of the Texas Penal Code. In addition to all specifications of state law and other policies of appropriate conduct of students, staff, and faculty, to all users of LUNET, shall abide by the following policies. Failure to do so will result in the cessation of access to LUNET and may lead to appropriate disciplinary actions.

Disputes by Academic Departments may be escalated to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Assistant Vice President of Information Technology for further review. Disputes by Administrative Departments may be escalated to the Vice President of Finance and Operations and the Assistant Vice President of Information Technology for further review.


 

Users shall abide by the following policies:

 

Legal Policies

  1. Lamar University Networks may not be used for any non-University commercial purposes.
  2. Individuals may not register an outside domain host name that refers to an IP address within the lamar.edu domain.
  3. Electronic mail systems may not be used to send personal announcements or advertisements unrelated to University business, University community service commitments or communications with professional organizations. Use of electronic mail systems should be limited to University-related business.
  4. LUNET may not be used for creating, knowingly displaying, nor transmitting threatening, racist, sexist, obscene, or abusive language or materials.
  5. All rules governing copyright law must be obeyed. Materials for which an individual does not hold the copyright, does not have license for the copyright, has assigned the copyright to another person or organization, or is not being used correctly under the fair-use clause, may not be transmitted nor reproduced using Lamar University facilities. TSUS system rules apply.
  6. Accessing any computer, network, or subnetwork associated with LUNET without proper authorization is strictly prohibited. This includes failure to protect a password or Lamar Electronic Account (LEA) from unauthorized use or falsely representing one's identity through the use of another individual's Lamar Electrnic Account. Permitting the use of a Lamar Electronic Account by someone other than the owner is not allowed. This includes unauthorized acquisition of passwords via physical or electronic means, unauthorized use, access, duplication, disclosure, altertion, damage, or destruction of data contained on any electronic file, program, network, web page, or University Information Resources. Scanning ports of any device on LUNET for any reason, without authorization, or the authoring and/or distribution of computer viruses is prohibited. Prosecution for violations of this policy under State and Federal laws is possible. Lamar University will cooperate fully with all legal authorities in identifying and providing evidence against anyone violating this policy.



Hardware Policies

  1. Utilizing unauthorized devices, hubs, switches, routers, etc. connected to LUNET will be detected by security software and may cause disruption of network services.
  2. Wiring may not be modified nor extended beyond the area of intended use by personnel other than DVVN or other personnel authorized by DVVN with written approval. Each network connection termination point may only be connected to a single Network Interface Controller (NIC) unless approved by DVVN.
  3. All Hardware MAC addresses must be reported to the Microcomputer Support and Services Department. An example of a NIC is the single network connector normally found on a single computer.
  4. All network hardware connected to LUNET must be reported to and cataloged by DVVN.
  5. Devices which divide the service of a port to multiple NIC's such as a hub or switch may not be directly connected to LUNET unless approved in writing by DVVN. To do so will activate a security mechanism on the network that may disrupt your network service.
  6. Components of any subnetwork may not be directly connected to LUNET unless approved in writing by DVVN.
  7. Firewall devices, either hardware or software connected to LUNET must be approved in advance by DVVN in writing before they are installed and must be behind a DVVN maintained backbone building router. DVVN maintains the campus-wide firewall system and is responsible for its proper configuration, maintenance, and support. Firewall and network address translation rules for any firewall device must be approved by DVVN in advance of connection and are subject to audit, review, removal, and revision at the request of DVVN. DVVN is responsible for providing timely review and assistance with approval and subsequent revision firewall devices and software.
  8. Providing outside access over the LUNET backbone to anyone (internally or externally) via any dial-up or other means is strictly prohibited, except for those services offered and approved by DVVN. This includes any kind of dialup services such as PPP or SLIP connections used as a pass-through to any other University computer.
  9. All network connections to LUNET including moves, additions, changes, or removals must be requested in writing and approved by DVVN. Physical connections must be done by DVVN personnel or personnel authorized in writing by DVVN.
  10. Access to communications closets and all components of LUNET is limited to the DVVN or authorized personnel.
  11. All network devices including servers connected to the network must be approved by the Information Technologies Division before connection to LUNET is done.
  12. Purchase or acquisition of all network hardware, software, or cabling connecting to LUNET must be approved in writing by DVVN.
  13. All network equipment, connecting to LUNET will be managed and maintained by the DVVN department unless behind isolation equipment.
  14. No individual may configure or operate an unregistered server connecting to LUNET. This includes web servers, FTP servers, game servers, or file/print servers without approval from the Information Technology Division. Servers must be registered with the Information Technology Division.



Software Policies

  1. Use of Multicast software must be approved and scheduled with DVVN before use in order to prevent disruption of service to others. This includes ghost and other disk imaging software, multicast video, using push technology, etc.
  2. In order to preserve network viability and comply with copyright laws, the use of Multimedia gathering tools such as LimeWire, Ares and BitTorrent, to illegally acquire or distribute copyrighted materials is prohibited on LUNET.
  3. Only TCP/IP suite traffic will be routed across the campus backbone.
  4. A University wide common naming convention must be followed to identify all nodes residing on LUNET. The naming convention is defined as follows: Building name, Room number, and if multiple connections exist in a room a unique numerical suffix per machine must be used. For example, three computers in Carl Parker Rooms 101A and 103 would use the names PAR101A, PAR103-1, and PAR103-2. Additional characters may be added to the end of the designated naming convention. Contact Microcomputer Support and Services for further instructions. Exceptions may be made for existing servers or in special circumstances as approved in writing by the Information Technology Division.
  5. In order to reduce network/computer security threats that use email to propagate, all incoming email traffic must pass through Lamar University's central email filter.  Any email servers used for the receiving of external messages will need to be registered with Lamar University's DNS server.  These measures will reduce the possibility of the following threats: abuse of mis-configured email servers and the spread of email based viruses, spam, and other network/computer security threats that use email to propagate.


Network Etiquette Policies

  1. No individual or department other than DVVN or authorized Campus Computer Security Officers as authorized by the Assistant Vice President of Information Technology, may monitor network traffic on LUNET or via any means including network discovery tools, port scanning software or devices, or "sniffer" software. No person may use the facilities of LUNET to monitor traffic outside of LUNET unless authorized by DVVN. Exceptions for academic instruction shall be approved by DVVN and must be behind a DVVN maintained backbone building or departmental isolation device.
  2. Use of programs (applications) or network usage which interferes with or inhibits the use of the network by others is strictly prohibited. These applications include network probes and other bandwidth intensive programs.
  3. Misrepresentation of your identity via electronic or any other form of communication is a violation of policy. This includes the forging of IP addresses or Ethernet hardware addresses to conceal the identity of your computer. Prosecution under State and Federal laws may also apply.



Video Network Policies

  1. The DVVN department is responsible for the campus backbone video network. No broadcast may be conducted over the network unless approved by and scheduled with DVVN.
  2. Video delivery, storage, and archival devices such as IPTV, VBrick, TurboCast, etc. are maintained by the DVVN department. DVVN will administer, deliver, and maintain equipment required to deliver these services. DVVN will purchase, approve purchasing for authorized departments, and maintain these devices for campus wide use.
  3. DVVN maintains the devices and software for the encoding of analog and digital archive content. DVVN will provide the service of encoding and maintaining such archives. DVVN will provide instruction to users about the requirements for archival and assist them in accessing archived material.

 

 

Security Camera Policies

 

The network based security camera system on campus has been carefully planned and designed to minimize network traffic, maintain campus information security, and maximize the benefit of centralized storage capacity.  In order to assure that proper procedures are followed the following changes should be added to the current network policies:

 

  1. Any department that desires installation of security cameras on campus must have the request approved by the Lamar University Police Chief and the Department of Data, Voice, and Video Networking.
  2. All security cameras must be placed into a special, secured segment of the network that has been established for this purpose.  The types of cameras will be specified by DVVN based on user requirements, and shall be installed by DVVN or their designated contractors. 
  3. All security cameras must store data to the central University server designed for archival purposes, and must be available for monitoring by the Lamar Police Department.