October 9, 2003

IT News

Information Technology recently discontinued its current Usenet news service with the retirement of the central news server during the summer.

The server, known as either “news.nwu.edu” or “news.northwest-ern.edu,” has seen dramatically reduced local usage as the Web and other collaboration tools have been developed. The decision to end this service is part of IT’s efforts to contain costs and increase network security.

Faculty who use Usenet news for class-related purposes can use Northwestern’s Course Management System in a similar manner. Questions should be directed to course-management@northwestern.edu. For detailed information, visit https:// course-management.northwestern.edu.

A listserv can also be used as an alternative to newsgroups.

Visit www.tss.northwestern.edu/conferencing/listserv/ for detailed information about listservs at Northwestern.

IT and the University Office of General Counsel, with participation of a committee of administrative advisors, have revised four University information technology policies to address copyright issues.

IT has also issued a policy restatement focusing on campus network security and has issued a new guideline document.

The revised policies, which govern aspects of joint use of University-owned computers and networks, are:

• Use of Computers, Systems and Networks, www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/csn-use.html.

• Rights and Responsibilities for the Use of Central Network and Computing Resources, www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/responsibilities.html.

• Policy on Cable Television, www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/catv.html.

• Policies on Management of the University’s Central Web Server (“NUInfo”), www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/nuinfo.html.

• Policy Restatement and Enforce-ment Plan for Unapproved Campus Network Extensions, www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/extensions.html.

• Computing Services Guideline for Off-Site Data Protection Storage, www.it.northwestern.edu/policies/storageguide.html.

IT has introduced a new “white pages” directory mirror, based on LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), that replicates directory information in the online Ph directory. This service supersedes ldap.nwu.edu, which will be shut down in June 2004.

The new service, at directory.northwestern.edu, will replace Ph by the end of 2004. Current users of the ldap.nwu.edu server should change to directory.northwestern.edu immediately as the LDAP service. Current Ph users are also encouraged to migrate to this source of “white pages” information.

The introduction of a new LDAP-based directory is an important step in IT’s creation of an Enterprise Directory for Northwestern which will contain more information than is currently retained in the online Ph campus directory, such as a person’s affiliations, authorizations and permissions.

Current users will have to reconfigure their client software to use the new services. Configuration instructions are available at http://aquavite.northwest-ern.edu/it-services/browse.cgi?s=LDAP%20directory%20service.

New data network connections will be installed to detect and accommodate switched 100Mbps Ethernet service, provided that the local wiring will accommodate that data rate, it was announced by IT.

The pricing will be the same as for switched 10Mbps connections ($230 per port, exclusive of wiring). There will no longer be a separate price for switched 100Mbps service. This change is effective immediately.

For new construction and renovations, wiring installed is now always “Category 5” or better and will accommodate the switched 100Mbps data rate. Older wiring (“Category 3”) will only accommodate the switched 10Mbps data rate.

During the course of regular visits to service closets, IT will examine existing Ethernet services. Where existing switched 10Mbps service can be changed to detect and accommodate switched 100Mbps, the change will be made at no charge.

IT has created a Web site resource for travelers that presents many ways campus services can be reached from across the Internet.

The site, at www.it.northwestern.edu/reference/modem/traveler.html, alerts travelers to Internet cafes, conference facilities, and other resources.

To further support some travelers, Information Technology has created a new for-fee service that provides toll-free access to the University network from across the U.S.

This service is charged to a University account, but only with the approval of a dean’s or vice-president’s office. Individuals using the service must be registered by NetID with IT.