NIU Network and Bandwidth
Why is the network slow?
Why don't you just increase the amount of bandwidth available?
How do I lower/control my bandwidth use?
I watch movies and music videos over the Internet. Does that affect my bandwidth use?
Could an instant messenger service be the cause of my high bandwidth usage?
Other ways to reduce bandwidth usage
Why is the network slow?
We prioritize traffic so we don't have to block particular programs. File sharing programs receive the lowest priority. Remember, your Internet access is first and foremost for educational purposes.
Why don't you just increase the amount of bandwidth available?
ITS increases the amount of available bandwidth by 30% annually.
These activities contribute to congestion on the network:
- file-sharing
- distributed computing applications
- streaming media
- network gaming
- basic file transfer if the files involved are large in either size or number.
How do I lower/control my bandwidth use?
- Tame your file sharing programs (instructions here) so that people can't download files off your computer.
- Download fewer/smaller files.
- If you need to transfer large files or want to do lots of downloading, do so during off peak hours (2am-10am).
- Avoid running FTP servers with lots of content.
- Be cautious of watching streaming media or viewing digital movies on web sites.
I watch movies and music videos over the Internet. Does that affect my bandwidth use?
Most definitely. Digital media, such as MPEG, QuickTime/streaming QuickTime, AVI, and streaming Real Player movie files, can quickly use up your bandwidth allotment.
Could an instant messenger service be the cause of my high bandwidth usage?
No, unless you use instant messenger to exchange files with your buddies. For example, Aimster enables you to share files, which contributes to your excessive bandwidth use.
Other ways to reduce bandwidth usage:
- Limit file sharing. File-sharing applications are designed to share files. If you haven't specifically set up the application to not share, then you are usually sharing, whether you realize it or not. Many of the applications don't even have a setting to disable sharing. One of the best ways to disable or restrict sharing is to limit which directories are available on your machine.
- File-sharing applications keep running even if you close the window for the application. Turn your computer off when you're not using it - this is the one sure way to prevent access to your computer.
- Avoid peak times. If you're planning on downloading a two-hour video file or something similarly resource-intensive, don't do it during the evening. For example, do it early in the morning or use a download utility that will let you schedule downloads. Not only will it probably go quicker for you, but you won't be slowing down other people as much.
- Guard against hackers.
- If you are running a Linux or Windows system, always make sure you have the latest updates and security patches.
- Don't set up open access or file sharing on your machine, or grant access privileges to users you don't know (and NEVER give access to your system directory).
- Disable services that you are not using, and don't run FTP sites, servers, or any other application that allows access to your computer if you don't need to.
- Make sure you have the latest anti-virus software installed and update it regularly.
- Don't open e-mail attachments from strangers, as this is one of the main methods by which viruses are propagated.
- If you aren't using your computer, turn it off.
