Network Services
Network Services are responsible for the maintenance and development of the campus LAN, which comprises over 75 interconnected networks. Most of these networks are within University departments and colleges. The remainder are located within associated groups like ABRI, the CRC's, Sports Union, UNE Union etc. The Campus LAN is a mini Internet. Multiple protocols and many users and computers co-exist on the Campus LAN. Each of the subnets on the campus LAN must be correctly configured to permit it to be seen and communicated with.
Currently the UNE data network comprises local 10 and 100 Mbit/s Ethernet networks interconnected by a Gigabit backbone, with Dial-in Modem access and an AARNet link to the Internet. A radio network is under development, as are Voice over IP (Telephony over the computer data network) and VideoConferencing over IP facilities.
As more people use the network in an increasing number of ways, the network is being upgraded to cope with the additional load. An extensive range of systems and applications software is maintained by Network Services. This includes reporting bugs in existing software, installing new versions, and testing new network software as it becomes available, with a view to its usability on the campus LAN and for dialup Internet access.
Network Services maintains the campus Domain Name Servers (DNS). This software maintains a database of all known systems on the campus LAN and translates hostnames into address understood by the TCP/IP network. This service is integral to the operation of every other type of server on campus (e.g. email, Web, etc). The DNS software is run on a number of servers to give good performance and a failsafe service.
Network Systems Include:
- UNE Switches and Routers
- Unix Hosts
- Remote Campus Access Equipment
- Modems for Dial-in Computer Access
Network Services Include:
- Mailhubs - email services
- World Wide Web Proxy access
- News Services
- Network Identity and Authentication
- Network Time Services
- Useage Statistics
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Network Equipment
Network Services maintains a broad range of hardware, some of which are listed below.
- Central Routers in a failsafe configuration
- Border Gateway link to AARNet.
- Modem Access Server, up to 64 concurrent users.
- 100Mb Server Access and Trunking Switches.
- 10Mb Local desktop switches.
- Unix Servers.
- Routers, switches at remote Access Center sites.
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Network Services Applications
Network Services maintains a broad range of network software for UNE, mostly in dual configurations for backup purposes, some of which are listed below.
- Email (SMTP) services.
- Proxy services for desktop browser access to the Internet.
- FTP services, automatically updated with the latest downloads from AARNet.
- Access, Authentication and Accounting software.
- DHCP, DNS and Vlan services, for authentication and network allocation of connecting PC's.
- Network Time Protocol services.
- Network Useage Monitors and Statistics.
- Services to configure Network Equipment.
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Network Infrastructure
The network comprises of more than 40 kilometres of single- and multi-mode optical fibre, in-ground copper cable plant, used for security, telephone and alarm systems, utp cable plant within buildings, more than one hundred main and intermediate distribution frames, as well as other physical plant structures such as cable pits and conduits. There are also radio links used for telephone and data communications and wireless systems.
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