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TNS Policies

Installation and Maintenance of Local Area Networks

This policy defines the role of Telecommunications and Networking Services (TNS) in the installation and maintenance of local area networks and the responsibilities of customers that choose to use this service.

TNS is required to recover certain types of costs from users and therefore charges for services, particularly in the areas of installation and maintenance.

NOTE: Maintenance fees cover maintenance costs only and do not include life cycle funding. Campuses, Colleges and Departments will need to budget appropriately for replacement of equipment.

TNS INSTALLED NETWORKS

If TNS designs the LAN and is contracted to install it, TNS will install all infrastructure wiring and network components. TNS will not install the cables from the wall plate to the customer's computer (office drop cables) or any interface or software in a customer's computer.

TNS will charge back costs for the network components. LAN cables may be purchased separately from TNS.

CONDITIONS FOR TNS-PROVIDED INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE:

Telecommunications and Networking Services can be involved with several steps related to setting up a LAN and keeping it operational. These steps are:

  1. The design of the LAN's physical components.
  2. The purchase of the LAN's physical components.
  3. The installation of the LAN's physical components.
  4. The maintenance of the LAN's physical components.

In order for TNS to perform Steps 2 (purchase), 3 (installation), or 4 (maintenance) mentioned above, TNS must have performed step 1 (design). If TNS has performed steps 1 (design), 2 (purchase), and 3 (installation), the LAN and its components are referred to as "qualified LAN's or networks" and "qualified LANs or network components."

Please refer to TNS System Maintenance Policy.

Only customer computers may be attached to a TNS maintained LAN. Customer maintained LAN components may not be connected to a TNS maintained LAN. Customers who want to maintain a portion of their LAN are required to connect all non-TNS maintained LAN segments directly to a separate (from the one used by the TNS maintained segment) IB connection.

OPTIONS FOR TNS-PROVIDED INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE:

TNS installation is available for all qualified network components and closet patch cables (Full LAN Installation) or all qualified network components excluding the closet patch cables (Hub-Only Installation).  TNS does not design or install Network Interface Cards and office cables. 

For networks that are designed and installed by TNS and are not Residence Hall Networks, maintenance is optional. However, if access to a telecommunications room is required for the support of the network's cables or other components, TNS maintenance may be mandatory if, in TNS' judgment, there are security risks or unworkable arrangements for access and control of the telecommunications room. This does not mean that TNS is guaranteeing the security of the telecommunications room.

TNS maintenance can be chosen for all qualified network components and closet patch cables designed by TNS (Full Maintenance) or all qualified network components excluding the closet patch cables (Hub-Only Maintenance).   Closet patch cable maintenance is not mandatory for patch cables designed and installed by TNS.  

TNS LAN Installation and Maintenance Options are:

  • Hub-Only Installation/No Maintenance
  • Hub-Only Installation/Hub-Only Maintenance
  • Full LAN Installation/No Maintenance
  • Full LAN Installation/Hub-Only Maintenance
  • Full LAN Installation/Full LAN Maintenance
  • Full or Hub-Only LAN option behind a customer maintained firewall      

A customer can maintain their own firewall and have TNS support the qualified LAN behind their firewall if the following criteria are met:

  • The customer supports a TNS specified rule set to allow TNS to remotely access the LAN equipment behind the firewall.
  • The customer is the first point of contact to insure their firewall is functioning correctly if connectivity problems occur.
  • The customer directs TNS to bypass the firewall if/when necessary. 
  • The customer contact is on-site if TNS staff needs to be dispatched (including nights and weekends).
VIOLATION OF MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
  1. All changes to networks covered by TNS Maintenance must be designed, installed, and maintained by TNS or under the direct supervision of TNS. If a network covered by TNS Maintenance is modified by non-TNS personnel, the LAN will be in violation of the maintenance agreement. Requests for the changes of a network should be processed via submittal of a LAN Design Request Form [MS WORD].
  2. The relocation of computers on networks in which the closet patch cables are maintained by TNS (Full Maintenance) must be performed by TNS personnel. The relocation request should be submitted to TNS on a Telecommunications Service Requisition form (TSR) and subsequent LAN Node Relocation Request Form and will be billed on a time and materials basis. If a computer on a network covered by this maintenance selection is relocated by non-TNS personnel, the LAN will be in violation of the maintenance agreement
  3. LANs found to be in violation of the maintenance agreement will have 2 weeks to be brought into accordance with the agreement by the removal of the customer’s changes or by the submittal of a request for a TNS re-certification design for the changes. After the request is submitted, any troubles reported to TNS for repair will be resolved on a time and materials basis until the customer’s changes are removed or certified by TNS.
TNS MAINTENANCE OPTIONS AND CHARGES FOR QUALIFIED NETWORKS

All TNS maintenance options must be prearranged by TSR and requested through the LAN Design Request Form [MS WORD]. TNS maintenance options and charges for qualified networks may be found at TNS Pricing

NON-TNS DESIGNED AND INSTALLED NETWORKS
  1. LANs not designed and installed by TNS can be made eligible for TNS Maintenance options by contracting TNS to certify the LAN. Certification will include the replacement of cable and network components that do not meet TNS standards and will be billed at the current catalog rate. Charges will include a LAN certification fee, as well as all travel and living expenses incurred when certifying sites not located in the State College area. A LAN Certification must be prearranged by TSR and requested through the LAN Design Request Form [MS WORD].
  2. For LANs not designed by TNS, TNS will only install the infrastructure wiring. Infrastructure wiring is the cabling that runs from the wall jacks to the telecommunication closet distribution panels. The local LAN administrator is responsible for acquiring, installing, and maintaining all other network components. Guidelines for access to the telecommunications closets are defined in the TNS "Policy on Rooms Used for Telecommunications". For networks not designed by TNS, maintenance is offered on only the infrastructure wiring installed by TNS.
  3. TNS will only provide assistance or support for networks that are covered by the Full Maintenance option, the Hub-Only Maintenance option, or the Time and Materials Maintenance option. Expansion, maintenance, or repair of any network that is not covered by one of these options is the responsibility of the network’s administrators. Parts may be purchased from TNS - if those parts are normally stocked by TNS.

 

 

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