Bandwidth FAQ
Prepared by Amanda Grainger and Diana Roulston. Adapted for Reznet @ King's University College by Reznet Admin.

 

What are the Reznet Bandwidth Guidlines?
Reznet employs bandwidth limits to protect network performance and ensure fair access for all. To maintain optimal network performance, we ask that all Reznet subscribers follow the bandwidth guidelines listed below:
  • Limit total on-campus downloads to no more than 10 gigabytes per day
  • Limit total Internet downloads to no more than 4 gigabytes per day

Why does Reznet have Bandwidth guidlines?
Network performance can be significantly affected by high bandwidth applications such as file sharing, VoIP, and video streaming applications. The primary purpose of Reznet is to support the academic mission of the University by providing convenient access to online academic resources. Reznet employs bandwidth limits to protect the network performance and ensure fair access for all.

What happens when I go over my limit?
Reznet reserves the right to disable your Reznet connection without notice. Reznet subscribers who have had their network connection disabled can expect a minimum of a 5-day disconnection.

What happens when I go over my limit a second time?
Reznet reserves the right to disable your Reznet connection without notice. Reznet subscribers who have had their network connection disabled a second time can expect a minimum of a 10-day disconnection. Reznet subscribers who have had their network connection disabled a third time can expect a minimum of a 15-day disconnection.

What can I do to avoid accumulating usage without my knowledge?
Try to limit the amount of network-intensive programs such as file-sharing or peer-to-peer applications that you run on the network. Be particularly wary of "queueing up" a number of downloads unless you are very careful about the file sizes. If you choose to use these applications, do not leave them running when you are not actively using them. Reznet recommends that you limit the number of uploads that you allow on your computer with file-sharing applications. They can consume a large amount of network bandwidth and will slow your computer's performance.

What if I was unaware of how much I downloaded? Can I be reconnected sooner?

All Reznet subscribers must abide by the Reznet Terms of Service document. As indicated in the General section of the aforementioned document:

Users are responsible for all traffic originating from their machine, including user activity, regardless of:

  1. whether or not they generated it,
  2. whether or not they know what they are doing,
  3. whether or not they realize that they have violated any specific policies.

What is the difference between on-campus bandwidth and Internet bandwidth?
Reznet provides access to the campus network as well the Internet. File transfers between a location on the UWO campus and your residence are considered part of the campus network. Data transfers outside of the UWO network is Internet data.

How do I know how much I'm downloading?
Keep track of the sizes of the files you are downloading. Be aware of how much data you download each day. Most legitimate Internet uses (such as viewing PowerPoint slides, web surfing, streaming video) use very little network resources. However, it is important that you always be aware of the traffic coming in and out of your port.

Will I be notified if I am approaching my limit?
No. It is up to you to keep track of how much is being downloaded onto your computer.

Do these bandwidth guidelines include uploading as well as downloading?
The bandwidth guidelines concern downloading activity only, however, all uploading and downloading activity affects the network performance on Reznet. You should be aware of all incoming and outgoing traffic coming from your computer.

Does Reznet know what I'm downloading?
Reznet does not normally focus on the network activity of its subscribers. As a result of recent network performance issues, however, Reznet is now examining only the amount of data that subscribers are uploading and downloading.

What if I am using multiple computers on the Reznet network?
The bandwidth guidelines apply to each individual Reznet subscriber in residence, therefore your total downloads and Internet downloads apply to the total of all computers that you are using on Reznet.

What is bandwidth?
In computer networks, bandwidth is often used as a synonym for data transfer rate - the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second). This kind of bandwidth is usually expressed in bits (of data) per second (bps). For more information about bandwidth, also known as "throughput", see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throughput

Can my unused bandwidth from one day be added to the next day's total?
No. Your limits as prescribed in What are the Reznet Bandwidth Guidelines, above, remains the same, regardless of how much you have downloaded the previous day.

I've been locked for excessive bandwidth; Can I have my connection back early if I promise to comply with the guidelines?
Students are not normally reconnected early. Given the severity of the performance problems associated with high bandwidth usage, the minimum disconnection period is 5 days.