Managing Networks at Rutgers

Note: this document is aimed at staff in units who manage networks for their units. For individual users who want to connect a computer to the network, see Getting Connected

There are a number of different services involved with connecting to the network. This document is an attempt to explain what they are, and to guide you through the process of getting your network operational.

Responsibilities for Networking

At Rutgers, responsibility for the network is split between OIT and individual units.

OIT is responsible for all aspects of networking between buildings and the campuses, as well as for most equipment that connects a building to the network.

Individual units are responsible for networks within a building or a department. Units, working with OIT, should make the following decisions about networking:

Unless management of the network has been delegated to OIT, units are expected to keep track of what systems are assigned to each network, and assign network addresses and names to them. OIT has services to help manage this responsibility.

End users with systems to be connected to the network should contact the IT staff responsible for their unit.

This document deals with the following services:

Network Equipment: Wiring and Installation

To ensure integrity of the Rutgers network, OIT must be involved in all data, video, and voice projects. OIT maintains building network maps showing cable locations, as well as a fiber and cable database. Units with networking needs should contact the OIT Network Operations Center at the email address and phone number via email to noc@rutgers.edu or phone 732/445-0327.

In new construction projects, OIT is an integral part of the building design team. A telecommunications budget, funding the purchase of data, video, and voice electronics as well as all wiring needs, is generally included in the building budget. These budgets usually do not include associated recurring costs for electronics support and maintenance, which must be taken into account during a unit's budget planning.

Local Area Networks (LANs)

Local area networks are the responsibility of individual units. OIT provides no-cost support and maintenance for switches installed as part of the RUNet 2000 project. OIT will provide no-cost support for switches installed through projects initiated through and managed by OIT. To learn the status of a switch in your unit, contact the OIT Network Operations Center (NOC) at the email address and phone number listed above.

Hostname and address allocation and related services

Every computer or other device attached to the Rutgers network requires an IP address. Normally, each system is also assigned a name. The addresses and names are registered in a system called DNS (the Domain Name System). These addresses and names must obey certain rules in order for the network to function and to avoid duplications of names or addresses.

OIT manages DNS for Rutgers through a service known as "hostmaster." It also manages the overall mechanism for allocating addresses and names. OIT provides an application that easily allows a unit to manage allocating addresses and names of devices attached to its networks. See http://www.td.rutgers.edu/services/ and select hostmaster.

OIT can also delegate ranges of host names and IP addresses to a unit for its own management. These allocation services are managed by the Network Operations Center (NOC). Once a name and address has been allocated via DNS to a computer, the computer needs to be configured statically or dynamically to obtain its allocated IP information. To arrange IP allocations, contact the NOC at the email address and phone number listed above.

Wireless Networking

Wireless infrastructure is generally the responsibility of building occupants, although units are encouraged to contact OIT prior to installing a wireless network to ensure that university wireless networking policies are followed. (See the Wireless Policy .) Units are responsible for consulting with others in the same or nearby buildings to ensure that wireless implementations in nearby areas do not interfere with each other.

OIT provides contract services to install and operate wireless networks for units that can't or prefer not to manage such networks on their own. More information is available through local campus help desks.

Equipment Rooms

OIT creates, implements and coordinates maintenance and preventative maintenance programs for new and modified equipment rooms. OIT can also assist building/unit representatives with the design, upgrade or modifications these rooms. This includes space enlargement, power needs, cooling requirements, rack design, physical security, and applicable code/permit requirements. Units with equipment room needs should contact the OIT Network Operations Center via email to noc@rutgers.edu or phone 732/445-0327.