ResNet

Connecting to the Residence Hall Internet: ResNet

The residence halls with Ethernet (direct-wired) connections are:

     Kennedy Hall
     Sanford Hall
     The Southern Pines Complex
     The Southern Courtyard Complex
     Watson Pods
     
The residence halls with wireless connections are:

     Brannen Hall (802.11b/g)
     University Villas (802.11b/g/n)

The residence halls with both wireless and direct wired Ethernet connections are:

     Centennial Place (802.11b/g/n) & wired
     Eagle Village (802.11b/g/n) & wired
     Watson Commons (802.11b/g) & wired

The University has implemented a network security solution from Cisco Systems called Cisco Clean Access (CCA). This system is one of a series of steps being taken by Georgia Southern University to help improve the quality of networking in the residence halls and enhance the overall security of the campus network.

In order to gain Internet access at Georgia Southern, all Windows machines MUST meet certain security requirements enforced by a Clean Access Agent. Although antivirus software is recommended for all operating systems, Macintosh and Linux users do not need to follow these steps.

Antivirus software running on your machine
If you are not currently running Antivirus software, as a registered Georgia Southern student, Symantec Antivirus is provided at no charge. You may download this application before you arrive at https://download.georgiasouthern.edu.Georgia Southern recognizes a number of other anti-virus programs. Click here to view the complete list. One of these applications must be installed, running and up-to-date. Meaning, if your renewal subscription has expired or if your definitions are out of date, you will be denied network access until this issue is corrected. Rather than renewing your subscription or upadating your purchased antivirus software, we recommend properly uninstalling it, and then downloading the Symantec Antivirus software that we provide. The newest versions of purchased software are often not yet recoginzed by Clean Access, and would need to be uninstalled in order to gain access to the network. If you fail this requirement, step-by-step instructions are provided via the Clean Access Agent. See our Computer Readiness Checklist for steps that you can take at home to prepare your computer for our network before you arrive on campus.

Your machine should be free of spyware
In addition to Antivirus software, Georgia Southern strongly recommends the use of an AntiSpyware utility. What is Spyware you might ask? Generally speaking, spyware is a term used to describe software that performs certain behaviors such as pop-up advertising, collecting personal information, key logging, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without your consent. Spyware can be similar to a virus since it causes these undesirable effects, but sometimes is harder to detect. In our experience there are three free applications that handle the removal of such software, these include: Ad-Aware by Lavasoft ( http://lavasoft.com ), SpyBot Search and Destroy ( http://spybot.safer-networking.de ), and Microsoft AntiSpyware ( http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/ ). Finally, using an alternate browser to Internet Explorer such as Opera or Firefox can prevent further infection.

All Microsoft Critical Updates for your OS
Georgia Southern requires your machine to be current with all related critical updates for your Microsoft OS. Meaning, if you have, for example, Windows XP, you should have Service Pack 3 installed and all critical updates released post SP3. For Windows Vista, Service Pack 1 is required. For whichever updates your Microsoft OS requires, detailed instructions are provided to correct the issue.

Automatic Updates Enabled
Georgia Southern requires you to enable Automatic Updates to ensure your machine receives, in a timely manner, all critical updates. If you fail this requirement, step-by-step instructions are provided via the Clean Access Agent.

These settings are requirements and are in place for your protection and the protection of the campus. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet these requirements before you arrive. Georgia Southern will only provide assistance to users already meeting these requirements. If you don't know the state of your machine, or feel uncomfortable making these changes, we suggest that you take your personal computer in for a professional tune-up before visiting Georgia Southern. Our Clean Access system will prevent your computer from connecting to the Internet unless you meet these requirements. In our Residence Halls, your personal computer will be validated against these requirements weekly. Using your EagleID, you may download Symantec Antivirus at no charge from the Georgia Southern website. For more information please visit the following pages: http://www.gsuhousing.com/resNet , http://cca.georgiasouthern.edu .

ResNet users attempting to access the campus network will be required to log in using their My.GeorgiaSouthern user name and password. After your account is verified, your machine will be checked for certain minimum security standards before you are allowed to connect to any resources on the Georgia Southern University network. Computers not in compliance with the minimum standards will be "quarantined", and allowed only enough network access to be able to download virus updates and operating system patches. Once the "quarantined" machine is brought into compliance, it will be allowed full access to the network. Clean Access helps users do their part in establishing a "safer" internet.

Since Fall 2002, every single residence hall room had access to the internet. This was made possible by the use of two types of Internet Connections: Wireless and Ethernet. Both of these methods of connection use the Georgia Southern Network and provide reliable, high speed connections. In most cases students will connect 20-50 times faster than a 56K modem connection.

In order for a student to be connected to the Georgia Southern ResNet, they must first have a compliant ethernet card properly installed in their computer. You will also need a Category 5 Ethernet cable for connecting your computer to the wall jack in your room. If you are brining a laptop, we recommned purchasing two Ethernet cables, which will allow you to leave one plugged in, to avoid damaging your wall jack from wear and tear.

If you are purchsing a new computer, we generally recommned a laptop for portability and convenience. It is a good idea to check with your major departement for any special hardware or computer requirements before purchase, especially if you are an Engineering or Art major. The University Store is currently offering huge discounts to all Georgia Southern Students on IBM Lenovo and MAC computers.

Connection Standards for Connecting Computer Equipment to ResNet
Click here to obtain the latest information on what types of Wireless and Ethernet cards to purchase. In most cases, acceptable makes and models are available the the University Store.


Copyright Infringement and You?
In the past, Georgia Southern has had network problems in the residence halls due to the increased downloading of files from the Internet using peer-to-peer tools like KaZaA, Morpheus and Gnutella. Please be advised that downloading copyrighted materials may cause legal problems for you. Simply stated, you should not download copyrighted materials because it is a violation of federal law with serious consequences. Most music and video materials are protected by federal copyright law and the owners of these copyrights, such as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), are becoming increasingly aggressive in protecting their interests. If you are downloading copyrighted materials without permission, the owners of those materials have the technology to identify you and they have the resources to fully prosecute you in a federal court for copyright infringement. Georgia Southern University will not be a party to those legal proceedings and will not assist in your legal defense. If you are using peer-to-peer applications to download music or videos without permission of the rightful owner of the copyright, you are probably doing so in violation of federal law. As such, you may also be in violation of the Georgia Southern University Computer Use Policy and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from the University. You are advised to consider these consequences prior to downloading copyrighted music and videos. Questions? Email us at resnet@georgiasouthern.edu.


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