Network Performance at UVM
Report a Network Performance Issue
Information Resources
The Resources
UVM has two "Commodity Internet" connections to help isolate UVM from connection failures:
- Adelphia provides 30 Mbps (Megabits per second)
- Verizon provides 35 Mbps
UVM also has an "Internet 2" connection through a partnership with Dartmouth and UNH. Our share is currently 35 Mbps. This bandwidth does not go to any non Internet 2 site and is thus only available for communications to other schools and research facilities that are part of Internet 2.
NOTE: All of these specifications are gross bandwidth. Net bandwidth is typically somewhat (10%) less for a variety of reasons.
There are slightly over 7000 users of UVM's network. All users share the roughly 60 Mbps of real throughput to the regular internet. How these resources are used determines the smooth operation or virtual gridlock of the network.
The Costs
Our commodity connections currently come to about $120,000/year (including a share of the OC3 connection to Verizon that we use to access Internet 2). The current per student cost for bandwidth has been computed at roughly $10/semester/active connection. Because residence hall fees currently fund half of the 16 Mbps capacity, the residence hall connections -- of which there are about 3,400 -- share 8 Mbps of bandwidth.
For comparison: A high speed internet connection at home (Using ADSL as an example) would cost about $50/month (roughly $150/semester) and limit you to 768kbps download and 128kbps upload. At UVM the bandwidth you receive is as much as the speed of your computer allows you to dominate, more on this below.
The Usage
Here is the first part of the issue: Too much demand.
The fairly recent development of a variety of file exchange programs has generated an amazing new load on our network. Where the primary activities on the internet were once web browsing, email, and small file transfers, we now see large scale use of peer to peer file sharing programs (P2P). Many names may be familiar to you: Napster, Morpheus, BearShare, iMesh, and Aimster are all prime examples of these programs. All these programs have the primary goal of making files available to others, legally or illegally.
The files that are in greatest demand typically range from 4MB (Megabytes) to 8MB for music in a standard compressed format called MP3, to entire movies in the 300+MB range. These P2P programs allow world wide searches for these files and the ability to queue up large numbers of them for automatic download. The vast majority of this data transfer is illegal, but what directly impacts us here at UVM is the sheer volume of traffic it creates.
Each individual computer has no real restraint on its network usage. A fast computer with a good connection can easily dominate over 10% of UVM's bandwith going to and from campus. During the month of September we recorded the simultaneous operation of between 200-300 Morpheus clients at various points in the day from student machines alone.
These P2P programs do generate a huge amount of traffic, but are not the only source.
Streaming video, streaming audio, online games, direct downloads, even email spam and large attachments all contribute to the volume.
The bottom line: The system we all must share for research and education has become a primary means of entertainment. This entertainment segment is growing faster than we can possibly compensate and is crushing the primary needs of the institution, education and research.
The Steps Being Taken
For the latest information, please see the archives of, or join the UVM Network Performance list found at the top of this page.
In general though, the following things are underway or done at this time:
- Education and Publicity - Attempting to explain the problems caused by sharing software and communicating the need to curb its use.
- Bandwidth - We are working to buy more.
- Restrictions on File Sharing - Using various means to block off-campus usage.
- Enforcement of UVM's Computer and Network Usage Policy - Taking action against those causing a negative impact on others, and enforcing policy regarding copyright violation.
Longer Term Solutions
We have, and may use, many options to try to gain some ground against this astounding demand for network service. Better control of individual usage, increased bandwidth, a comprehensive firewall system, proxy restrictions, fees comparable to actual usage, and many other options are under consideration.
For Now
- Communicate with us regarding your needs and experiences.
- Be aware of your usage of the network and how it directly impacts others.
- Be aware of the legality of your usage, and refrain from sharing content that you don't have the right to.
Last modified January 24 2003 09:39 AM
