Thursday, September 21, 2000, became a landmark date for us. With Beta testing completed, a switch was thrown, a patch cord inserted, and the high speed Internet system within the El Granada Building became fully operational and available to our tenants and occupants -- a full year ahead of schedule. On June 11, 2003, a dedicated T-1 line was installed and operational thus providing a more stable and reliable service.
Frequently asked Questions on our Network Design.
We have received a number of questions since our system went on line. We will attempt to answer those frequently asked questions here for everyone?s benefit.
Where will the Internet connection be wired to?
As part of our renovation, we installed jacks in every room in each apartment to include the kitchen. The combined service plate provide jacks for 4 telephone lines, coaxial broadband cable, and Internet connection. The pre-wired jacks in the renovated units are individually wired back to a central switch and router. By so doing, each occupant in a unit can connect to the Internet with individual high speed access. Our Internet network T-1 line connection is 1.5 megabits in both directions which is faster than dial-up modems and many cable connections by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). As with any network, the actual speed can vary depending on how many users are on line inside our building at one time down or up loading information. The T-1 service guarantees 1.5 megabit service to our router for shared use within our building.
What if the system slows down?
Our in-house Cymphonix Network Composer establishes bandwidth limits so we can closely monitor the connection speed. We can isolate a user who has a working worm or is misusing the system by operating a web site, has a circular program which uses bandwidth, or uses the system with excessive peer to peer or streaming video. The system is also expandable should the number of users inside the building exceed our capacity.
What about privacy?
The Cymphonix monitor identifies each user by IP Address, what IP address they have connected to, and the bandwidth used. This includes peer to peer and streaming video as this has been the area where most bandwidth abuse occur. The system cannot monitor specific outgoing traffic. However, if we notice excessive bandwidth use, we can restrict that particular user to a lower level of that use so that all users have the maximum speed available.
Why is email optional?
To keep your cost as low as possible, we are providing only that service which you need. Many hosted or web based sites offer email as part of their service. Many users have multiple email addresses. Since there is a cost associated with email and given many of our occupants already have service through UC Berkeley or other providers, we negotiated a "carve out" of email service from our ISP thereby reducing our cost which we are passing onto you. There are some "technical" issues you need to consider before you make a decision whether or not to order email from us.
What about Email?
Do I need your service? The simple answer is "maybe". If you use a POP3 based email program (i.e.: Netscape, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express), then you must have an email address provided by our system in order to send email. The cost for an email address is $5.00 per month. If you use a web or host based email client (i.e.: Yahoo, AltaVista, Hotmail, UClink), then a local email address from our system is not necessary.
Can I access my Email mail box on this system when I am away from the computer in my unit?
Yes. One of the features of our system is easy access to your mailbox from any Internet connected computer. Go to our home page: www.granadabuilding.com - and click on the "Residents" tab, "Resident Email", and enter your email address and password.
What do I need in my computer?
You will need a high quality network card which supports 10BaseT. These are readily available from most computer stores. A good quality card will cost approximately $60.00. You must also have Windows 95 or 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, XP, or other compatible operating system. The computer must be a Pentium class computer with at least 32 megabytes of RAM and 50 megabytes of available hard drive space. Many Apple computers (e.g. iMac, G3, and G4) have networking 10BaseT Ethernet built-in, and should work with our system.
Do I Need a Network Card?
Yes. If you lived in the dorms and were connected to their system, you already have a card in your computer which should work with this system. The key is that the card must support 10BaseT.
What will Munger Properties provide?
If requested, we will provide a 7' patch cable from the network card jack on the back of your computer to our Internet jack located in each room of each renovated apartment. At our central equipment switch, we will connect that jack to Time-Warner Communications, our ISP. Finally, we will provide you with your unique IP address which you must program into your computer. We will provide instructions for this setup. Munger Properties will not provide technical support.
What does it cost?
There is a $20.00 setup fee per connection - far less than any comparable ISP. The T-1 monthly connection fee is $28.00 per month for the first connection and an additional $15.00 per month per outlet connected in the same unit thereby allowing those units with more than one occupant to have their own T-1 connection. Email is available, if desired, for an additional $5.00 per month per user address.
Do I have to sign a long contract for service?
No. One of the features of this network is that it is month to month. You can terminate or suspend service with 30 days written notice. Another advantage is that if you are going to be gone for the summer, you can request (in writing, of course) that the service be "suspended" until a certain date. It will cost you $10 to re-activate the service, but you will not have to pay for service you are not using. Further, you will keep your IP Address and not have to reprogram your computer on your return.
What is the difference between Termination and Suspension?
Termination is just that. We delete your IP address. If you subsequently decide to reconnect, you will have to go through the set up process again. If you suspend service, your IP address remains active - but not connected - for 90 days before it is dropped from the system. Reactivation of service does not involve reprogramming your computer so long as the account is placed back into full service within 90 days.
May I pay for T-1 Internet Service as part of my monthly rent?
No. Payment must be tendered by separate check and not tendered as part of the rent. I can go into a long dissertation as to why we require this but will, instead, simply state it has to do with Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance and policies relating to rent paid and services provided.
Is this system reliable?
After 2 years of design, testing and installation effort, and on-line service since September 2000, we have had few disruptions in our service. The singular problem we have had is with speed variations which is typical with any T-1 or SDSL service. With SDSL service, we were connected through hubs to a ISP. We found that even though users within our building were using less than the total allocated 1.5 megabit bandwidth, the service speed within the building would reduce due to users connected to the same hubs outside our premises. The present T-1 SDSL dedicated service by Time-Warner Communications, on line on June 11, 2003, connects us directly to their system with no intermediary hubs (or users) and they have guaranteed 1.5 megabit service in both directions to the building on a 24/7 basis. So, simply put, this is as reliable as any other ISP you might consider. Remember, though, that "speed" is reliant not only on how many users are on line inside our building, but also the traffic connected to the web site or service your are connected to.
Being on line all the time, do I have a risk of someone "hacking" into my computer?
Yes. Your static IP address is always on line if you leave your computer on. It is possible your computer could be accessed. In your setup, we require that you remove shared files and printing options from your Windows and MacIntosh configuration. There are additional steps you can take for added security, ranging in cost from free to several hundred dollars, by installing a personal "firewall" using software protection (often free off the Internet), or adding a "network address translation" device available from most computer stores. If security is of concern to you, these steps may give you some peace of mind by providing protection against unauthorized access to your computer.
David Einstein, who writes Computing O&A for Forbes Digital Tool which is also published in The San Francisco Chronicle, addressed this very issue in his column of September 21, 2000. You can read his article and recommendations at: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/09/21/BU96100.DTL. Neither Munger Properties nor Time-Warner Communications shall be liable for loss of data, damage to equipment or other damage resulting from unauthorized entry into a user?s computer over the Network.
Many occupants are now using wireless devices inside their unit and connecting them to our system. We have found that those who use wireless often do not take the time to encode their device. When this happens, anyone within range can connect to our system through our user's wireless transmitter/receiver. We ask all wireless users to encrypt their device to prevent misuse and abuse.
What happens if there is a power failure?
Our electronics are powered with two backup power sources to include an UPS system which will keep our system on line for several hours after a power outage. It should be noted that if there is a power failure, your computer will also shut down once the internal battery discharges. There is no emergency power provided to the apartments.
How do I sign up?
Please contact Brooke Owyang, our resident manager, at the office. As with all things in life, there is a contract agreement for you to sign as part of this process. You will pay the activation fee ($20), the first month connection ($28) and email service ($5) in advance. Should activation occur other than the 1st of the month, the monthly fee for the 2nd month will be prorated.
For more information contact:
Suluck Chaturabul, Manager, El Granada Building 510/841-9444
email: mgr@granadabuilding.com
toll free: 888/841-9444
