UCI Home Network Access Plans - 1997
BACKGROUND ON MODEM ISSUES.
In 1995, NACS (formerly NACS) implemented a number of changes to deal with
the frequent busy signals users were encountering on the campus modem pool
at that time. These changes were
largely successful and got the campus through the 1995/1996 school year. However,
each year brings more active network users, and the congestion has once again
been an issue during 1996/1997.
In March 1997, after review from the Academic Senate Computer Policy Committee,
NACS implemented a trial policy of short timeouts on the modem pool (see the Modem
Timeout Announcement sent February 26, 1997). NACS later responded to some
of the questions and concerns generated from this announcement, you may view
this response on our Web pages at: Modem
Timeout Clarifications.
CURRENT HOME ACCESS PLANS.
- NACS believes that increased use of commercial Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) is the best way to meet current and future
remote access needs of the campus.
- NACS is exploring the availability of resources to support centrally-funded
modem service for faculty, staff and students of UCI, whether through on-campus
modem pools or ISPs. NACS is discussing potential restricted-access modem
pools (such as a faculty pool) with the Academic Senate and campus administration.
Seeking requisite funding is an important part of the discussion.
- NACS will pursue more favorable arrangements with ISPs that the "buying
power" of the combined UCI community might allow.
- NACS will continue to work on resolving network access restriction issues
from ISPs. UCI-restricted USENET Newsgroups are now available from ISPs,
and a gateway is in the works for restricted Web areas.
FACTORS LEADING TO CURRENT PLANS.
- NACS has no funding or revenue stream for modem service and sees the on-campus
network infrastructure as its priority for existing recharge money collected
from campus users of telephone and network services.
- The cost of a single modem line is more than many people realize given
the current low-cost of a consumer-quality home modem. A modern self-diagnosing
modem of the sort ISPs use costs between $600 and $800. In addition, there
are additional costs for supporting equipment, maintenance, and telephone
lines. The cost of a modem pool of sufficient capacity to support current
UCI modem demands is estimated to be in the vicinity of $800,000.
- The ISP marketplace is currently very competitive, resulting in low prices
and service qualities that are generally good and getting better.
- ISPs have a steady revenue stream from which to plan future hardware upgrades
to utilize technology advancements. As an example, all ISPs have 28.8k modems,
and most have upgrade plans in the works.
- ISPs offer toll-free dialing to many parts of Orange County, the state
of California, and in some cases, the world. UCI is unable to match this
aspect of a remote service.
- The growing trend is for every "well connected" member of the community
to have a network access account. Network access is increasingly important
to people, regardless of their employment or other status. Students will
come to UCI with pre-existing ISP accounts, and continue to need ISP service
after graduation. It is not feasible for UCI to provide students this sort
of "life-long" access.
- UCI network connections are for University business only, but the temptation
and ease of sharing remote access accounts for personal business and family
use will be too strong to avoid. As a result, it is impossible to restrict
UCI modem pools to University business. ISPs accounts are not restricted
to University business in this manner.
