The University of Arizona

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Home Access to University Network Resources

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Many University resources are available online and can be accessed from any Internet Service Provider.  There are many to choose from in Tucson.  In comparing services, note that speeds listed on vendor sites are theoretical maximums.  Actual throughput depends on factors such as load on the target system or other parts of the network.  Keep in mind that any service will have periods of downtime and outage.   Your experience may vary from others depending on your neighborhood and usage patterns.

Here is an overview of some providers*:

Dakotacom (http://www.dakotacom.net) offers dial-up, IDSL, and ADSL service.  (520) 745-3900

Cox High-Speed Internet (http://www.cox.com/highspeedinternet) - offers broadband cable modem service to most of the City of Tucson.  Speeds are nominally higher than DSL.  (520) 884-0133

Comcast High-Speed Internet (http://www.comcast.net/comcast.html) - offers broadband cable modem service to many homes outside the Cox coverage area.  Speeds are nominally higher than DSL.  (520) 744-1900

Note:  see Cox/Comcast FAQ

Qwest (http://www.qwest.com/dsl/) offers dsl to a variety of locations at an attractive price. Service can often be installed without at home visit.

AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet (http://att.sbc.com/gen/general?pid=6431) offers high speed internet access to residential customers throughout Tucson and surrounding areas. 

Getting Connected

You are responsible for arranging for your own installation.  For Faculty and Staff, contact CS Financial and Administrative Services for special billing arrangements.

Remember that ISPs are like utility companies - plan on blocking out half a day for the install and expect them to be late.

If you're interested, see Phil Kaslo's notes on his Cox cablemodem installation (Phil Kaslo-Cox Installation Notes).

 

Authentication Methods

To protect privacy and offer greater security, different University groups have deployed various authentication schemes.  One main initiative is the UA NetID (https://netid.arizona.edu/).  This is used for services such as email.arizona.edu accounts, Employee Link, SiteLicense, and CCIT computer labs.  Some of the Library systems require a CatCard (http://catcard.arizona.edu/) number (e.g., http://www.library.arizona.edu/search/articles/dbfind?shortname=azstarnet).  For certain payroll and benefits systems, the EID (Employee Identification Number) is required.

These authentication methods allow many campus resources to be accessed from home - without regard to the particular ISP being used.  However, there are still some services which require tighter security.  To address these areas, CCIT has implemented a VPN (Virtual Private Networking) solution.

VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a secure, encrypted link between your home machine and the UofA network.  CCIT has installed a VPN concentrator on the perimeter of the Campus network and made available VPN client software to connect to it.  See VPN Installation and Use for details.

For many, the VPN software is unnecessary.  We allow access to the following from anywhere:

In addition, we allow ssh access to other machines in the department from known home IP addresses of Faculty and Staff.  Note, if you find this does not work for you, send email to the mail alias lab. 

Faculty and Staff may be allowed to log on to the Windows Domain CSC from home in some cases (see: Accessing Windows Domain CSC from home), but use of the VPN is required since CCIT blocks certain Windows ports from off-campus.

For access to other University network resources, you may find the VPN helpful but not necessary.  For example, certain Library sites require authentication via CatCard if accessing from off-campus.  Use of the VPN eliminates the need for this authentication step.

Caveats

The aim of the VPN is to create a secure link to the University.  It is configured to disallow other connections to or from your home machine.  If you have other computers on your home network, they will not be able to communicate with the one using the VPN.  For example, while connected via the VPN you would be not be able to ssh to your home machine.  Also, shared resources (e.g., printers) will no longer work.  Of course, this is only for the duration of the VPN session.  Once you disconnect from the VPN, your home network will function as normal.  See https://sitelicense.arizona.edu/vpn/vpn_installation.html for details. The VPN software does not work on campus from U of A addresses.

Since the VPN is made available and maintained by CCIT, problems should be reported to them.  See http://support.ccit.arizona.edu/ or call 621-HELP.

Links

Cable Modem Help

Broadband Reports

 

* These providers are listed as a courtesy to our students and staff, they are not the only providers of high speed connectivity to the Internet in the Tucson area and are not to be construed as official University recommended service providers. Do your homework, compare each service provider's plans and costs and make your own decision based on your particular needs.

Last updated Monday, 05-May-2008 10:40:05 MST, by John Luiten
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