Network & Internet Access
Information about On-Grounds Wired Ethernet Access
ITS provides and maintains the network infrastructure to allow on-Grounds computer users access to UVa resources and the Internet via a “wired” connection. To connect, simply plug your computer into a wall port using a standard Ethernet cable.
- For UVa students living on Grounds, every residence hall room has a network outlet for a wired Ethernet connection to the Internet for each person in the room. See also Ethernet Information for Students in Residence Halls, below.
- For UVa faculty and staff working in University-owned facilities, virtually all rooms and offices generally have a direct Ethernet network connection. You may also want to check out the UVa More Secure network—for a complete description of firewalls and applications. If you have trouble connecting, call the UVa Help Desk at 4-HELP (434-924-4357) or ask your Local Support Partner (LSP) for assistance.
Ethernet Information for Students in Residence Halls
Below is more information about 2 possible areas of concern for students living in UVa residence hall housing facilities:
- How capacity is handled
- Behind-the-network firewall or not?
How Network Capacity Is Handled
ITS manages the wired network traffic in the residence halls so that that bandwidth is fairly and equally distributed during periods of high demand.
Our goal is to provide at least DSL-like broadband Internet speeds to dorm network users using their wired connections, but in periods of high demand we cannot guarantee that.
In cases of extremely excessive student use, an offender would be contacted directly, and such problems would be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Behind-the-Network Firewall or Not?
A firewall works by preventing remote Internet users from making inbound connections to your computer, while at the same time allowing you to connect to any remote site on the Internet.
At UVa, you may opt out of your computer being behind a firewall for your residence hall wired Ethernet connection. Note, however, that all UVa wireless connections (whether in residence halls or not) are protected by a firewall, and there is no “opt out” for that.
- Read the complete policy, UVa Student Residence Hall Network Firewall, for more information.
- Please visit our Network Security Firewall Management page if you must request that your computer's Ethernet connection be moved out from behind the firewall.
