MONDAY AUGUST 23, 2004
TECHNOLOGY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Anti-virus program bugs students
By MIRANDA LENNING
mlenning@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Brice Sanner spent a great deal of time last week sorting through the multi-step registration process required to activate the KU network, a campus computer network run out of the ResNet office.
When he thought he had completed the process, he was prompted to reboot his computer. After rebooting the computer, a message appeared on the computer screen informing him that he had been registered but he needed to reboot.
Sanner, Horton sophomore, is just one of many students struggling to outsmart the KU Network. In order to register a computer with the network, a user must download a program called "Rings," which comes with a five-step check list. The user must perform a Windows update configuration, a Windows update check, install the anti-virus program Sophos, run a Sophos scan and receive an Internet connection configuration. After these steps are complete, the user will be given an activation number, which allows the user to access the network.
Chris Mehta, Chicago freshman, installed Sophos and then his computer detected a virus, but Sophos did not say how to disinfect the virus.
Both Mehta and Sanner both requested help from ResNet. Mehta said the technician was able to disinfect the virus, and his system is currently operating correctly. Sanner, on the other hand, had to perform the registration process again.
Ann Erney, ResNet coordinator, said that the automated updating features involved with the registration process were there to protect students' computers.
"In the past, when this hasn't been done, infections get into the system and raise havoc throughout the entire network," Ermey said.
Sanner and Mehta are only two of many students who have been experiencing operating problems with ResNet. Some students say the registration is complicated and not user-friendly and ResNet requires that students use the anti-virus program Sophos as opposed to their own anti-virus program.
"The service is fine once you get it started," Mehta said. "I just wish you could use your own anti-virus."
He said that a common problem he noticed in Ellsworth was that people were experiencing a lot of viruses on their computers. Ermey said having one anti-virus program made it easier to locate and troubleshoot problems.
Allison Rose Lopez, public
relations and marketing manager for information services, agreed. She said the main goal of ResNet was to protect the entire network.
"The strength of Sophos is in the uniformity across all campus software," Lopez said.
Sanner said students should be able to use their own anti-virus programs, having experienced serious problems with Sophos last year while living in Ellsworth. Sanner said he used the Norton anti-virus program, but was forced to uninstall it and use Sophos. Not long after installing Sophos, Sanner's computer became infected with the WORM virus. His computer was shut down for three days.
Fortunately for Mehta, his roommate, Kyle Drew, is a sophomore who works as a Network Telecommunications Services customer service consultant and knows about the network. Drew said the new registration system made the system more difficult to install.
"The system is more complicated now because users have to download several programs to get started," Drew said. "You have to be pretty computer literate to run those programs."
Lopez said that she sympathized with students but because of advanced technology, registration is getting less complicated each year.
ear year
When Wes Buck, Overland
Park sophomore, experienced problems with his system, he phoned the ResNet technical service line, but received only an answering machine.
Buck thought a big problem with ResNet was that it was understaffed and not familiar enough with the program to effectively help students.
"They need someone who is really savvy with the system and can easily help people with problems." Drew said.
Ermey said that ResNet has been available to students since last Saturday, visiting each residence hall and helping students set up the KU network.
"We have 23 residential communications consultants working about 10 hours a day since last Saturday," Ermey said. "We have had about 3,200 successful connections in the last four days."
Diana Robertson, associate director of student housing said there were about 5,100 students living in student housing. She said all of those students would use the KU network as their Internet provider.
Rose Lopez said students don't realize that the KU network includes not only their computers, but Blackboard, staff and faculty computers, library catalogues and all academic resources.
She said the biggest responsibility was to protect the 5,100
student machines and all aca demic networks.
Photo illustration by Courtney Kuhlen/KANSAN
reason that we have that we do the things we do is to protect students from these problems."
- Edited by Steve Schmidt
Flustered student begins anti-ResNet campaign, website
By MIRANDA LENNING
milening@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITE
Brett Bolton, Lawrence junior, was so fed up with the KU network, he created the Web site, www.cafeshops.com/ruckesnet, which sells apparel with anti-ResNet messages.
"It was mainly just a joke," Bolton said. "We just wanted to make our point that we were sick of our Internet service taking so long to work."
Bolton, who lives in Battenfield Scholarship Hall, said Battenfield residents have been able to remedy the registration problems, but are now facing other problems.
"ResNet has blocked all of our non-http ports," Bolton said. "We can't use any instant messengers, spp sites, Internet games. Basically we only have an Internet browser."
Bolton said it was inconvenient for people who used instant messenger programs to communicate with long-distance friends. His friend Nick Menefee creates Web pages for customers but because the ResNet blocked all the ports, he cannot upload those Web pages.
Bolton also said people have paid money for Internet games that they cannot play.
Meneffe tried to find out why the ports had been blocked. He said he received conflicting reasons for why ResNet blocked all non-http ports.
Meneefe heard the problem
was caused because ResNet was trying to update the hardware. Then he was told it was because of the large number of users.
Bolton said he also receive two stories about the blockage
He was told that there was a problem with virus attacks then heard problems stemmed from NTS updating the system.
Ann Ermey, ResNet coordinator, said the network blocked the ports for security reasons and that it is a temporary situation.
Ermey said her organization
had to order some equipment to ensure the security of the network. The blocks will be released once the network is secured, she said.
Bolton said he was bothered by receiving different stories.
"I think that they are just trying to make the complaints go away until they get it worked out," he said. "But it doesn't seem like they are in too big of a hurry since they are providing us with Internet and e-mail access."
relations and marketing manager for information services, said that service and support is just half of what ResNet does for students. She said ResNet were concerned about easing the transition into college.
Allison Rose Lopez, public
"We anticipate that once students ease into the semester, things will calm down," said Lopez. "But we will still provide service with the same urgency."
—Edited by Steve Schmidt
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
AUGUST 23,2004
The KU Young Democrats invite you to Come party with Governor Kathleen Sebelius Congressman Dennis Moore Congressional Candidate Nancy Boyda
To order tickets, email kudems@ku.edu or visit www.ku.edu/kudems
Big Metal Rooster To kick off the school year and the campaign!
Tuesday, August 31st
8:00 p.m.- Midnight
Liberty Hall 642 Massachusetts Street
$5 Students
$10 Adults
$100 Sponsors
slab
Invites you to join us in our first meeting on August 24th at 5:30pm in the Curry Room
The Commission on the State of Women
Find out more: Info Meetings Sept.1 & 2,6 pm, Walnut Room, Kansas Union
COORDINATOR POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE Pick up applications in the Student Senate office or online at www.ku.edu/~slab@ku.edu
Welcome Back Meeting
student council
Help plan upcoming events and learn about everything that has been,going on in the Engineering Building
engineering
student legislative awareness board
First committee meeting
Wed, Aug. 25 @ 6pm
Kansas Union Ballroom
General Meeting August 26th,5:30 p.m. 1131 Learned Hall
Make your mark at KU
> Your campus group's sd could be here.
Contact John Wilson communications
director for advertising info.
Open only to registered student groups receiving senate funding.
Make the Connection Challenge.Educate.Empower.
Connecting You to Community Service Center for Community Outreach www.ku.edu/~ccco
405 Kansas Union
Lawrence, KS 65045
(785) 864-4073
cco@ku.edu