Spring Break
Internet trouble caused by maxed-out bandwidth
by Michael Newborn
News | 10/21/08
Posted online at 4:11 AM EST on 10/21/08
Students have experienced difficulty accessing and using the Brandeis Internet service due to Brandeis bandwidth exceeding capacity and a single infected computer on campus, according to Director of Networks and Systems John Turner.
Student complaints include a significant decrease in Internet connection speed, the effects of which have been felt since last year, and difficulty performing such tasks as logging on to LATTE and accessing the Web on the wireless network.
"It took me a half-hour to load a half-hour television show [on the wired network]. I have trouble even logging on to [Learning and Teaching Technology Environment]. Sometimes I can't even use the wireless network at all. I can't watch any of my shows or download any movies," Jonathan Pincus '11 said.
In an e-mail to the Justice, Turner wrote that "the greater problems students have been experiencing are a result of our Internet bandwidth being maxed out. We have seen the overall bandwidth usage grow each year, primarily due to the quantity of online video and legal downloads."
He continued: "We have 150 Mbps (megabits/second, the measurement of the informational capacity of a telecommunications medium) connection to the Internet, which in peak hours is being totally used up. We are currently looking into increasing the connection speed, but we need to be mindful of the financial situation and costs associated with the increase." Turner indicated that although over the years LTS continually attempts to increase bandwidth, the current economic crisis may delay LTS' efforts.
"[The Internet] just doesn't work," Jenna Glasenberg '11 said. "When the Internet doesn't work in East [Quad], I get very frustrated." She questioned why "I can't even use my computer" in light of "the amount of money [students] are paying" for tuition.
Hillary Bender '11 said she noticed that the slow Internet "always happens at 4 in the afternoon" and occurs "even though my computer claims that I have a lot of connection bars."
Student complaints include a significant decrease in Internet connection speed, the effects of which have been felt since last year, and difficulty performing such tasks as logging on to LATTE and accessing the Web on the wireless network.
"It took me a half-hour to load a half-hour television show [on the wired network]. I have trouble even logging on to [Learning and Teaching Technology Environment]. Sometimes I can't even use the wireless network at all. I can't watch any of my shows or download any movies," Jonathan Pincus '11 said.
In an e-mail to the Justice, Turner wrote that "the greater problems students have been experiencing are a result of our Internet bandwidth being maxed out. We have seen the overall bandwidth usage grow each year, primarily due to the quantity of online video and legal downloads."
He continued: "We have 150 Mbps (megabits/second, the measurement of the informational capacity of a telecommunications medium) connection to the Internet, which in peak hours is being totally used up. We are currently looking into increasing the connection speed, but we need to be mindful of the financial situation and costs associated with the increase." Turner indicated that although over the years LTS continually attempts to increase bandwidth, the current economic crisis may delay LTS' efforts.
"[The Internet] just doesn't work," Jenna Glasenberg '11 said. "When the Internet doesn't work in East [Quad], I get very frustrated." She questioned why "I can't even use my computer" in light of "the amount of money [students] are paying" for tuition.
Hillary Bender '11 said she noticed that the slow Internet "always happens at 4 in the afternoon" and occurs "even though my computer claims that I have a lot of connection bars."
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