Network Access Control Set to Debut
dwaldron August 8th, 2007
As announced back in November, IT will implement a network access control (NAC) solution in all student residential spaces effective with the beginning of the 07-08 academic year. The NAC is designed to prevent computers that are infected with viruses or worms and computers that are vulnerable to infection from connecting to the campus network. This will prevent the spread of infection and help to ensure that the campus network and other IT resources operate effectively.
When students arrive on campus and plug a computer into a network jack, the NAC will require that the student authenticate and register the computer. Following registration, a software agent will be installed on the student’s computer. This software agent will scan the student’s computer for infection and vulnerabilities. If infections or vulnerabilities are detected, the student will be directed to the appropriate resource for assistance. During the first two weeks of the fall semester, student computers found to have infections or vulnerabilities will still be allowed to connect to the campus network. Thereafter, network access will be denied to such computers until the infections or vulnerabilities are addressed. Students bringing multiple computers to campus will have to register each machine individually.
Gaming devices and IP telephones are permitted on the network, but require setup by IT. To initiate this setup, send an email with the device type and the device’s MAC address to it-nac@wooster.edu. Setup should be complete within two business days. Hubs, routers, switches and wireless access points will not function on the network. Questions can be addressed to the student help desk at xHELP (x4357).