NYSERNet R&E Network - Policies

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Downstream Access Policy
January 25, 2006

Background

The goal of this revision to the NYSERNet Research & Education Network Downstream Access Policy is to engage and encourage Participating Member Institutions in facilitating broader participation in NYSERNet.

The intent is to create a more open, less punitive, environment for downstreaming. In this new environment, NYSERNet will be positioned to more accurately state its full impact as a catalyst in the research and education community.

Policy Statement

This policy governs the provisioning of NYSERNet's Research & Education Network Service by a connected institution to other organizations not directly connected to the Network. The policy does not govern transport or commercial Internet services. Host institutions must: (a) apply on-behalf of the Downstream Participant for the right to exchange traffic with the NYSERNet network, (b) assist the Downstream Participant with completing the NYSERNet SEGP application or securing sponsorship for Internet2 participation, and, (c) agree to all terms and conditions of this Downstream Access Policy.

Not-for-profit institutions are eligible for consideration to connect to NYSERNet as Downstream Participants.

The Host Institution must continually satisfy all of the conditions for providing downstream services as documented herein. NYSERNet reserves the right to refuse to carry or route traffic from any institution, which, in NYSERNet's sole judgment: (a) is in violation of this Downstream Policy or, (b) has originated or will terminate at an unauthorized Downstream location.

Definition of Terms

Host Institution (Host) -- Any NYSERNet Participating Member Institution with a connection to the NYSERNet Research & Education Network that elects to provide a third party with access to the NYSERNet Network and, through that connection, to next generation Internet backbones.

Downstream Participant (Downstream) -- Any not-for-profit organization that meets the qualifications of NYSERNet Basic Membership and accesses the NYSERNet Research & Education Network via a connection through a Host Institution

Terms and Conditions

NYSERNet requires that an institution connecting to the NYSERNet network and wishing to provide downstream access have a complete understanding of: (a) the NYSERNet Network Downstream Access Policy, (b) the support and operational requirements of providing downstream access, and (c) the limitations on the support that NYSERNet and its contractors will provide to the Downstream and Host relating to this service. Further:

• The Host Institution must submit a separate Downstream application for each institution to which the Host wishes to extend service. All applications are subject to the review and approval of NYSERNet's President or the President's designee.
• The Downstream Participant must adhere to the NYSERNet Acceptable Use Policy.
• NYSERNet will not provide support or troubleshooting assistance for the Downstream Participant. The Host Institution is responsible for handling all support questions and issues, network consulting requirements and documentation needs for the Downstream.
• NYSERNet is not responsible for the soundness of Downstream connections and reserves the right to charge the Host at its then current consulting rate for all support provided for the Downstream connection, or to deny such requests for support.
• The Host must consider the types of services that the Downstream may require and how the Host will provide them. Such services might include: Network Consulting, Network Operations, Network Management, Network Maintenance, Email Services, Domain Name Service, Primary Servers, Secondary Servers, Host Registration, and MX Records.
• NYSERNet is not responsible for the redistribution of Network Time Protocol, Network News feed, or other services to the Downstream.
• Network performance reports are available for the Host Institution technical contact, only.
• The Downstream must maintain a connection to the commercial Internet throughout the term of this agreement in order to ensure proper routing. The Downstream must acquire the necessary network addresses for their connection from their commercial Internet provider or the Host. NYSERNet will route these addresses.
• In cases where data communications are addressed to recipients outside the NYSERNet Network and are carried across other special purpose networks or the Internet, Hosts are advised that acceptable use policies of those other networks apply and may, in fact, limit or forbid use by the Downstream. The Host Institution is responsible for compliance by its Downstream(s) with all applicable acceptable use policies of NYSERNet and networks with which the NYSERNet network exchanges traffic. For more information on accessing networks currently reachable via NYSERNet, see the following Web sites: Internet2 www.internet2.edu, CA*net www.canarie.ca, TWAREN http://www.twaren.net/english/ and Esnet http://www.es.net/
• NYSERNet is not responsible for and cannot be held liable for changes and modifications to other network's acceptable use policies that eliminate or prevent Downstream sites from exchanging traffic.
• Allowance for service interruptions identified in the NYSERNet Service Agreement do not apply and are not extended to Downstream connections.
• NYSERNet reserves the right to suspend or revoke use of its network by any Downstream found to be in violation of the terms and conditions of this policy.
• NYSERNet reserves the right to, from time-to-time, and at its sole discretion modify this policy. Any such modification will be provided to the Host institution for dissemination to their Downstream sites.

Procedures

• Carefully read and consider the NYSERNet Downstream Policy and Acceptable Use Policies.
• Complete a NYSERNet Downstream Application. The Host Institution is responsible for securing the signature of the authorized representative of its Downstream Participant.
• Assist the Downstream Participant with securing SEGP approval through NYSERNet or Sponsored status with Internet2.

Forward one copy with original signatures and all attachments to:

Membership Services
NYSERNet Inc.
Suite 300
100 South Salina Street
Syracuse, New York 13212