ResNet

From CarlWiki

ResNet is short for "Residential Network," a reference to the computer network that provides internet access and other newtork services to the dorms, interest houses, and wireless areas. It is distinct from the academic network that provides internet access from the computer labs.

Although not the official term anymore, many ITS and Sys/Net workers still refer to the portion of the network serving the dorms as "the Res." Currently, the Res is able to access Carleton's 20mbps commercial internet connection, as well the blazingly-fast Internet2 link. The I2 operates at a theoretical limit of 100mpbs and connects directly to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Thus, a savvy student will set his or her default SourceForge mirror to UMN. Speeds on this link regularly exceed 10mpbs, even from the Res. Users of Ubuntu Linux are encouraged to use the UMN mirror.

Students often complain about the speed of the Res, unaware of the proxy. The proxy will greatly increase performance, and all students are encouraged to use it. Speeds for browsing the non-I2 web range from 1mpbs to a theoretical maximum of 20mpbs, although many other types of traffic are prioritized over the Res. Carleton makes an effort to shape traffic such that web browsing will be prioritized over peer-to-peer traffic, like Bit Torrent, although some industrious students have expent a great deal of effort attempting to download large files over Bit Torrent.

Within Carleton, most dorms are wired for 100Base-T ethernet, allowing snappy connections within the campus. Some off-campus buildings have slower uplinks, although ITS is working to improve that.