Internet Access and Usage Metering
Carleton blocks certain network traffic between campus and the Internet for network security reasons. For instance, computers on our wireless and residential networks cannot exchange email directly with computers off-campus, and must instead send email through one of the campus mail servers.
In addition to completely blocking certain kinds of traffic, Internet usage at Carleton is audited and metered. In order to ensure reasonable Internet access and performance for everyone, each computer on Carleton’s network is assigned two quotas. One quota affects outbound usage, i.e. data sent to the Internet. The second affects inbound usage, i.e. data downloaded from the Internet. Traffic within Carleton’s internal network is not metered.
Regardless of the amount of bandwidth that users consume, all Federal, State, and College policies regarding copyright apply when using the network.
As of this writing, both quotas are 30 GB per week (Friday to Friday). ITS may adjust them from time to time in order to allow the highest traffic levels compatible with the overall performance of the network.
Currently, Internet2 traffic is audited and metered for security reasons, but no quota applies.
In virtually all instances where the quota has been exceeded, the cause can be traced to the use of peer-to-peer (P2P) technology. Many P2P services, for their own goals, pressure users to “share” more. Carleton recognizes that P2P technology has a place on today’s Internet, but cannot donate large portions of its Internet bandwidth for non-Carleton use.
Throughout the week, ITS checks the volume of Internet data going to and from each computer. (ITS does not store the content of the computer's network traffic, just the source/destination and volume.) If either inbound or outbound usage of a computer exceeds half of the quota (15 GB), a warning email with a subject like "Carleton Internet Usage notice for..." is sent to the owner of the computer. 15 GB is roughly equivalent of four high-quality DVDs, or ten compressed movies from services such as iTunes or Amazon Unbox.
If usage from a computer exceeds the quota of 30 GB, ITS will (at its convenience and discretion) limit Internet access from that computer to basic web browsing. An email will be sent notifying the host computer’s registered owner of the restriction and will include information about actual usage. Access restrictions remain in place for the remainder of the week (Friday).
Note: in the summertime, Internet usage is dramatically lower than when we are in session. If there is bandwidth available, we will not automatically enforce bandwidth quotas. We may continue to send the warning and restriction emails, however, as a reminder that Internet connectivity is a shared resource.
We also recognize that it may be possible to exceed this quota for valid research or curricular needs. If you have received a warning or restriction notice and you believe it to be in error, or that additional bandwidth is needed for your curricular or research needs, simply reply to the warning, and we will discuss the issue.