LSC aim to provide the College with a comprehensive and well managed Data Network Infrastructure appropriate for its evolving needs. The Network Infrastructure is defined as the physical network carrier and associated equipment, together with supported networking standards, interconnecting all academic and administrative users and College buildings (MSI, WTB, JBC & CAR) with each other and the central ICS core network. Funding for maintenance and development of the College Network is provided centrally to LSC by the College.
ICS is responsible for the management, maintenance and development of some of the teaching complex network infrastructure (OMS, OTI).
Users are responsible for financing cabling of individual rooms and making provision for the procurement and replacement of associated workstation network cards and software.
The College Data Networking Infrastructure uses fibre-optic cabling to link individual Local Equipment Rooms (LER) to the Core Equipment Rooms (CER) within the Research Complex. All data links to LERs are Gigabit or higher speeds. All LERs are connected by multiple links to provide resiliency. All LER and CER network switches are supported by UPS and generator backed power supplies.
The College Network provides support for TCP/IP connections. Other networking protocols such as AppleTalk and IPX are not supported.
A perimeter firewall is in place as well as a number of other access control lists protecting servers and workstations from rogue devices. Connection of unmanaged and non-approved networking devices is banned both by LSC and ICS Acceptable Use Policies (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/ics/pubs/).
LSC monitor network services, server availability and machine room environment (power, UPS availability and temperature) via use of the Zenoss modular network monitoring system. This provides notification by email in the case of a failure of a number of critical services and systems. Access to Zenoss can be made available to support staff on request.
Endeavour to ensure that the maintained Network is available for use at all times. It should be noted that the campus network and user devices form an inter-dependent entity and the failure of a single device can cause widespread problems and service disruption. LSC will endeavour to maximise performance and minimise time lost due to a failure of a network component.
Aim to respond to reported network faults:
Build resilience into the network configuration where technically and economically possible. Investigate reported network security incidents within one day, which will be recorded by the LSC Systems Team and reported to JANET CERT.
Regularly provide a report (via newsletter, reports at meetings of representatives, etc) on the availability, performance and reliability of the Network. Schedule major changes to the network infrastructure during vacations as far as possible. Essential hardware and software activities that require interruptions of the service to all or part of the network will usually be carried out on Tuesday mornings between 07:00 and 09:00, though urgent work maybe carried out at other times. If possible, notice will be given not later than noon on the preceding day. In emergencies the service may be interrupted at any time without notice. On occasion, ICS undertake systems work which may affect the College's external connectivity. Where possible, seven days notice is given.
Aim to respond to firewall update requests within two days, and implement if agreed, within one week.
