IT Services

Policy Subject

ITS009 - Network Policy

Purpose

The University is committed to high availability computing for administration, teaching, learning and research for students and staff.  The objective of this policy is to create a stable computing environment that minimises disruption, maximises uptime and recognises the Computer Network as a valuable and shared corporate asset.

Scope

This policy applies to all use of the Macquarie University Computer Network, both wired and wireless, on and between each campus.

Policy / Principles

Responsibility for the Network

1. The central Office of IT Services is responsible for the design, provision, maintenance, upgrade and modification of the Computer Network.

2. All modifications to the Computer Network must be authorised in writing in advance by an officer of sufficient delegation in the central Office of IT Services.

[Back to top]

Modifications to the Network

4. The following devices may be connected to the Computer Network : desktop computers, notebooks, printers and scanners.

[Back to top]

Access to the Computer Network

6. Unrestricted access to the Macquarie University web site at www.mq.edu.au may be provided from any active port on the wired Computer Network and from any location on the wireless network.

7. All other access to and from the Computer Network requires authentication using a unique personal identifier and a password, smart card, biometrics or other form of authentication authorised in writing by the central Office of IT Services.

[Back to top]

Prohibited Use

The following is prohibited on the Computer Network:

9. Creating or transmitting:

• material which is designed or likely to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety
• defamatory material
• offensive, obscene or indecent images
• junk mail or chain mail
• a computer virus or worm
  

10. Using a username or password that does not belong to you or allowing another to use your username or password.

11. Interfering with another user or violating their privacy.

12. Disrupting or illegally accessing computer systems, including computer systems which are within the University and those which are external to it.

13. Transmitting or receiving copyright material or any other unlawful activity.

14. Using the network for unapproved commercial purposes (e.g. the transmission of unsolicited commercial or advertising material).

15. Port scanning (the scanning of another machine to determine which services are running).

16. Masquerading as another real or fictitious user (for example, forgery of the source of mail messages or news articles).

17. Running of password capturing programs.

18. Installing misappropriated, unlicensed software.

19. Running private SMTP or NNTP servers without explicit authorisation from the central Office of IT Services.

20. Running network monitoring applications.

21. Running of peer to peer file sharing systems without explicit authorisation from the central Office of IT Services.

[Back to top]

Cost of the Network and Network Access

23. The University centrally funds approved network infrastructure and usage charges, including internet usage charges.

References and Further Information

Policy issues should be directed to Director IT Services.

Approval

This policy was approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer on on 30 March 2007.

Supplementary Information

The following information is relevant to this policy:

• Not applicable.