Universities Suffer Over Bandwidth Congestion

(Mis)Uses of Technology

from the what-to-do?-what-to-do? dept

A good NY Times article about how many universities are dealing with the overwhelming demand for bandwidth on their campuses. Many universities are having trouble managing their networks as students are doing all sorts of high bandwidth activities. Different universities are trying different strategies with varying degrees of success. Some are limiting the amount of traffic each user is allowed. Others are actually looking at files being uploaded and downloaded by high traffic users, to see if they’re doing anything illegal (privacy? schmivacy!). Some are working on plans to charge more for high bandwidth users – or to block outright certain file sharing programs. Almost all, however, seem to think that offering broadband access is an important part of the university’s resources to their students (which is a good thing).