[89] in resnet
Dorm/ILG Networking Status
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Dennis Baron)
Fri Dec 10 14:34:12 1993
To: resnet-status@MIT.EDU
From: dbaron@MIT.EDU (Dennis Baron)
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 93 14:31:43 EST
Dorm/ILG Networking Update
12/10/93
Background: In May, MIT announced that it is extending MITnet, the
campus computer network, to all undergraduate dormitories and
Independent Living Groups (ILG). This is a status report of work
completed as of December 7, 1993, the current schedule for completion
of the project, and other related efforts within Information Systems.
For details on the project see the Computing/Resnet section in
TechInfo.
ILG Networking Status: New Frame Relay connections have been installed
providing a 56kbps link to each off-campus ILG. All are up and
running except for one house that is having problems securing the
equipment. Fiber optic links have been installed to all on-campus
ILGs. Several houses have connected ten or more workstations to their
Ethernets and two have installed gateways/routers to their internal
LocalTalk networks. There is a combination of Apple Macintosh,
DOS/Windows, and Unix workstations currently connected.
Informations Systems announced a reimbursement program to help ILGs
get started with their internal networking plans. Proposals were due
October 31, 1993, 23 houses responded, and 15 have been approved to
date.
Dorm Networking Status: Fiber optic lines have been installed to all
on-campus undergraduate dorms. The installation of equipment,
connections to individual rooms, and final testing has begun and is
scheduled to be completed later this month. Student employees have
been hired to work in the dorms as Residential Computing Consultants.
Training for these students started in November. In addition,
Information Systems is providing additional training for the current
staff and extending consulting hours to meet the increased demands of
students with MITnet connections in the dorms and ILGs. MITnet
service will be available in all on-campus undergraduate dorms by
January 31, 1994. Service may be available earlier in IAP.
MITnet has already been extended to the temporary dorm on Huntington
Avenue in Boston. In addition to Ethernet outlets in every room, this
dorm has a small Athena cluster with five workstations and a printer.
Other Related Activities: Networking hardware for sale at the MIT
Computer Connection has been reevaluated and new, lower cost Ethernet
cards for DOS/Windows computers should be available shortly. Although
not available initially, Information Systems is planning to begin
using MITnet to distribute a limited amount of Apple Macintosh
software to students during the spring term. We expect to expand this
service to include DOS/Windows software once it is technically
feasible. We are also discussing with the Medical Department, the
possibility of extending MITnet into the Infirmary.
Additional information and future updates can be found in the
Computing/Resnet section in TechInfo. Questions can be sent via
electronic mail to resnet-help@MIT.EDU.
Dennis Baron
