What is OSUNet?

OSUNet is the Ohio State University campus backbone network, and was formerly known as "Sonnet". The OSUNet provides connectivity for both the commercial Internet and Internet2, which is a high speed educational research network. In the simplest terms, OSUNet ties computers together using transmission techniques such as fiber optics, special coaxial cable, and dedicated, high-speed telephone wiring. Currently more than 120 miles of fiber connects computers in OSU campus buildings and public labs. A number of remote sites also are connected to OSUNet via hig h-speed lines; these include the OSU residence halls and regional campuses, Don Scott Field, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, the Agricultural Technical Institute, the Center for Huma n Resource Research, Children's Hospital, and other locations.

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Who can use OSUNet?

Anyone with a valid OSU Internet username and password has the ability to connect to OSUNet. To receive to an OSUNet OSU Internet username and password you should be a current student, faculty, or staff member. Any visiting faculty, lecturers and other guests can get a temporary username and password by permission of their department, or other university group.

Computers in most public computing sites are connected to OSUNet and have client programs installed for such tasks as writing papers, reading e-mail and browsing the web, to prevent unauthenticated traffic from these locations filtering bridges designed to require valid OSU Internet accounts have been installed.

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How to request an OSUNet connection?

To receive a OSUNet building connection, an OSUNet connection request (pdf) needs to be submitted. The connection request needs to be fully completed including billing and DNA information for the network.

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What are the policies concerning the use of OSUNet?

While departments may have additional policies, all users of OSUNet must follow the Policy on Responsible Use of University Computing Resources.

Academic and administrative units also are responsible to insure that their network(s) comply with the OSUNet Policy on the use of the Campus Network, and the Policy on Deployment and Use of Wireless Data Networks.

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