What is the Stanford Network?

The Stanford University network includes all of the computers on campus—hundreds of individual networks totaling thousands of Macintosh, Windows, Unix, and other machines—and the technology needed to connect them to each other as well as to the rest of the Internet. The various subgroups of Stanford’s Information Technology Systems and Services (ITSS) organization oversee this system, providing support for students, staff, and faculty. From the student’s point of view, the thousands of individual computers that comprise the Stanford network fall into several broad categories:

Windows Network / Personal Windows Computer

If you own a Windows computer that is connected to the Internet from your dormitory room, you are part of a local Windows network that includes all of the Windows computers in your dormitory, and in some cases other nearby dormitories. Through your Network Neighborhood the Windows networking protocol allows machines on the same local network to share files.

Macintosh Network / Personal Macintosh Computer

If you own a Macintosh computer that is connected to the Internet from your dormitory room you are part of the Macintosh Network. Other student Macintosh computers, cluster computers in dormitories or University buildings like the Lair, and some department machines are available through the Macintosh AppleTalk network and can share files.

Department Computers

This category includes computer systems and websites maintained by academic and administrative departments. Many departments support their own local computer networks, including computer labs or servers for heavy computing jobs. Most, if not all, departments also maintain websites and many offer services accessible through the World Wide Web: Axess and the Housing and Dining Services draw system, for example.

Leland Systems

The Cardinal, Elaine, and other Unix computers are part of the Leland System, which includes over 100 workstations for student academic work and other activities. Students can access these machines in person at Sweet Hall, or can connect to them via telnet (for checking email, running processes), ssh (for checking email, running processes over a secure connection) or ftp (for transferring files).

ITSS also provides a variety of other services for students under the category of Leland Systems, including personal web space for students, online course support, and email service.

Outside Machines

Off-campus students and those outside the Stanford community can also interact with the Stanford Network, and on-campus students can access machines around the world via the Internet Protocol, IP. All Internet communication to and from Stanford is mediated by a firewall system intended to block unauthorized use of the network. Some Internet addresses are blocked entirely—a current list of blocked addresses is available at http://www.stanford.edu/group/itss-ccs/security/misc/filters.html.