Remote SUNet Access over DSL
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Moving? Changing your phone number? Disconnecting from another ISP to get Stanford DSL? Allow ten business days for new service...
Although IT Services can usually install your DSL service right away, AT&T requires up to five business days to reconcile its records with your new number, or for your old ISP records to clear its system before we can place our own DSL service on that phone line. For that reason, please allow ten business days for DSL service to be activated.
Overview
Remote SUNet Access over DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) provides the fastest remote Ethernet-level connectivity currently available between remote equipment, a home or remote office computer, and Stanford's networked computing resources. Unlike commercially available DSL lines, Stanford's DSL service provides "virtual private network" connectivity and a Stanford IP address -- features that allow for faster throughput and full access to SUNet-connected servers.
DSL subscriptions are available only to faculty and staff and must be requested and paid for by the subscriber's department, at the department's discretion. Departmental approval must be obtained before submitting a subscription request.
Physically, a SUNet DSL circuit is very similar to a regular telephone or ISDN circuit. A private virtual circuit is created using existing copper telephone wires, DSL routers at both ends and our service provider's data equipment in between. This "always on" circuit provides a reliable, high-speed Ethernet connection between your home computer and SUNet. This remote access service supports only IP routing, not AppleTalk bridging, and requires that your computer's Ethernet interface card accommodate 10BaseT cabling, not 10Base2 (ThinNet).
Since the SUNet DSL line provides a SUNet connection similar to the network jack that your campus office computer plugs into, setting up the software in your computer for a DSL connection is just as easy as configuring a computer for an on-campus Ethernet connection.
Remote SUNet access over DSL provides consistent downstream speeds of 192Kbps and 1.5Mbps (depending on grade of service available/selected), with bursts up to 1.5 Mbps and 6 Mbps respectively. The most important factors controlling your DSL transmission speed are the availability of service to your home and the distance between your home and the local telephone company's (AT&T) equipment. Once these factors are determined, you may be able to choose between speed options, at different monthly service price levels.
Information Technology Services provides the following:
- coordination of service provider installation activities, including a confirmation of your order;
- special IP, gateway router, and subnet mask addresses for your home or remote office equipment;
- facilities and equipment to connect your private virtual DSL circuit to SUNet;
- month-to-month service billed directly to your department;
- troubleshooting and coordination of necessary repairs.
Stanford's DSL service provider is responsible for the following:
- installation of the DSL router;
- the monthly service itself;
- troubleshooting and necessary repairs to the DSL line;
- A warranty on your purchased DSL router, with repairs or replacement as needed during that time.
Your department provides the following:
- initiation and authorization of a service order through the IT Services Site;
- financial responsibility for, and payment of, installation, equipment and monthly charges;
- any assistance necessary to set up your home or remote office computer (specifically, ask your department's LNA or network manager about remote access to services or restrictions that may be unique to your department, such as non-Leland mail servers, proxy servers, and firewalls -- these are issues ITSS may have difficulty helping you with).
You provide the following:
- a working phone line with AT&T as the local service provider;
- a home or remote office computer with an Ethernet interface card that supplies 10BaseT connectivity (10Base2, or ThinNet, is not supported);
- ability to configure your IP address, and other associated network addresses, at home. For information about setting up your computer's networking software for an Ethernet connection to SUNet, visit one of the Web sites below or contact your LNA, other IT support staff, or an Expert Partner.
Windows: ess.stanford.edu/pc/sunet.html
Mac OS: ess.stanford.edu/mac/sunet.html - observance of Stanford University's Computer Security Guidelines (see warning below)
Remote SUNet Access over DSL provides 24-hour, 365-day access to SUNet and the Internet. (Some communication companies in the area offer a DSL service, but Stanford's Remote SUNet Access over DSL is the only DSL service that can provide full SUNet connectivity.) SUNet over DSL may be the ideal remote access option for individuals looking for higher bandwidth connections to SUNet or for those individuals trying to reduce usage charges they are incurring with ISDN or modem pool service. While Remote SUNet Access over DSL does provide SUNet connectivity, it does not support AppleTalk. You can use SUNet over DSL for SUNet Ethernet networking through IP routing only.
Rates
| SPEED: | TOTAL ONE-TIME INSTALLATION FEE |
MONTHLY RATE | USAGE FEES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 192Kbps-1.5Mbps downstream 128Kbps upstream (Kbps: Kilobits per second) |
$299.00 | $35.00 | none |
| 1.5-3.0Mbps downstream 384Kbps upstream (Mbps: Megabits per second) |
$299.00 | $49.95 | none |
| 3.0-6.0Mbps downstream 512Kbps upstream (Mbps: Megabits per second) |
$299.00 | $125.00 | none |
Charges Resulting from Unauthorized Reconfiguration: A minimum charge of $85 will apply if a service outage is determined to have been caused by an unauthorized change to router configuration or wiring.
How to Order
To get started, have your Department IT Contact submit a service order through the IT Services Site requesting a DSL installation. Be sure to include the following:
- Account number for installation
- Account number for monthly billing
- High Speed or Low Speed
- User name, campus phone number and email address
- Installation address and telephone number to be used at that location
Upon receipt of a signed service order, the IT Services team will coordinate with Stanford's DSL provider to verify availability of service and to schedule the installation.
Note on Scheduling: While the IT Services team is committed to assisting you throughout the installation process, please remember that Stanford's DSL lines are provided and installed by an outside vendor and that availability and installation schedules are determined by the DSL provider.
WARNING! Do Not Tamper With Configuration
The DSL equipment that AT&T installs for you is set up specifically for Stanford DSL service. Any change to the DSL router configuration or wiring as installed by AT&T may cause a loss of connectivity or performance and is not permitted under the terms of Stanford's Remote SUNet Access over DSL service. A minimum charge of $85 will apply if a service outage is determined to have been caused by an unauthorized change.
SECURITY CAUTION: DSL Subscribers Responsible for Remote Security
Computers that are connected to SUNet over Stanford's DSL service are assigned dedicated Stanford IP addresses, making them virtual extensions of the Stanford network. These devices are potentially vulnerable to the same security risks as on-campus office computers. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all DSL subscribers to observe the University's Computer Security Guidelines for their DSL-connected equipment, as well as their on-campus desktop equipment. The guidelines require the installation and use of Kerberos, regular SUNet ID password changes, and the installation and use of anti-virus software. Please read the Computer Security Guidelines at http://adminguide.stanford.edu/ch6contents.html. Additional security information and resources are available at http://securecomputing.stanford.edu/.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Unavailability During Maintenance
As with all SUNet-dependent services, DSL service may be unavailable during Networking's scheduled maintenance windows on Thursday mornings (6-7 a.m.) and Saturday mornings (5-8 a.m.). For current information about scheduled SUNet outages, see www.stanford.edu/group/networking/.
If you encounter trouble with your service during a time that is outside the scheduled maintenance window, contact the Stanford IT Help Desk at 5-HELP (650) 725-4357.
