Good to know facts

• Student Village Network uses TCP/IP version 4. IPv6 support is coming in near future.
• Connecting to the network is done via wall mounted ethernet (RJ45) network sockets. All TYS apartments have at least one active network socket. You can connect any network enabled device directly, be it a computer, TV or a console.
• Network has a firewall, which blocks most connections (and attacks) from the outside world. All connections are open to the outside world, ecxept port 25, to avoid spambots.
• IP addresses are dynamic. The DHCP server takes care of distributing the free addresses evenly.
• Your IP address is public. Student Village Network does not use NAT.
• Student Village Network does not have a wireless service. Some buildings might have SparkNet cover, which most students have an access. You should inquire about an SparkNet user account from your school.

Firewall

Student Village Network is protected with a firewall, which effectively blocks attacks and networms originating from outside world.

Student Village Network connections are intended for accessing on-line materials and services needed in your studies, and for normal internet usage. Firewall does not prevent normal usage, but it renders all server hosting functions invisible from outside world. For example you can not host an online multiplayer server if the server requires users to form a direct access to it. The firewall does not block instant messaging clients like MSN messenger.

The firewall policy ensures that Student Village Network and its users are protected from outside threats, such as unauthorized access, port scanning, hacking attempts and exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The firewall policy can not be chnged by user request. You can not get any ports open just by asking.

Firewall allows secure remote access porotocols, such as SSH, IMAPS and IPSEC. This allows adept network users to gain remote access to their home computers, if they really need it. If you are hosting an SSH service, make sure that its security is updated regularly. Bruteforce attacks to open SSH services are common. You should take proper measures to ensure that your computer is secure. Hosting an SSH service is limited to house holds personal use. Hosting a service for public usage is forbidden.

Notice that our firewall does not block connections inside Student Village Network. Threats originating from inside the network can be viruses installed to other network users computers, which can spread through network access. Last networm epidemic was in the spring of 2009, when Conficker / Downadup virus infected many computers in the network. Student Village Networks administration recommends usage of personal firewall, to prevent other network users to gain access to your network shares, and preventing possible outbrakes of networms. Notice that we can not offer any support for personal firewalls, users must configure personal firewalls on their own.