PUCC slows Internet connections

I'm sure that many people have noticed how slow ResNet has been. Many people have wondered if PUCC has the resources to support the Internet needs of the entire campus. Do they need to update their equipment? No, this slow-down is 100 percent intentional.

In an effort to keep students from using file sharing programs such as Napster, PUCC has put a bandwidth cap on everything except port 80. Port 80 is the port through which most Web traffic flows. This is why surfing the Internet is usually pretty painless here. However, as soon as you need to download a file from an FTP server, play an online video game, or visit a secure Web page, you should expect problems. All these things run through ports other than port 80.

I recently attempted to check my bank balance online, on a secure server. Because of the bandwidth cap and the slowness imposed by PUCC, my session timed out before I ever found out what my balance was. Thanks, PUCC. I'm not able to wind down by playing a little Counter-Strike any more, as the time it takes for information to get from my computer to the server and back is well over a full second. Thanks, PUCC. It takes an extremely long time for me to download updates and patches for my games, web browser and operating system since these usually come down on FTP servers. Thanks, PUCC.

Some people may say that since we only had to pay $50 for our Internet connection that I shouldn't complain. Wrong. While we only paid a $50 "hookup" fee, the remaining expenses were moved to other areas of tuition and housing costs. Even those who do not use ResNet pay for it. It's time that we ResNet users get our money's worth. It's time that everyone paying fees here got their money's worth. I encourage everyone to make contact with a representative of PUCC and voice their opinion. With all the money we're forking out to live in the halls and to go to school here, the least Purdue could do would be to make sure that PUCC doesn't SUCC.

Robert Benner

Senior, Schools of Engineering

Thoughts, prayers lie with victims of attack

In wake of tragedy, America needs to rebuild

PUCC slows Internet connections

Citizens have right to see budget

College textbooks prove expensive

OPINIONS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 256

Opinions editor:
Tom McHenry

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org