The District Computer Center does not support personal (non-NPS) equipment. Please do not bring routers of any type into our district.

Supported	Not Supported
Windows XP / UDT 3.0+ Computers District-License Software NPS Network Printers NPS Telephone Systems NPS Intercom Systems NPS Security Systems NPS Network Access Internet Access	Windows 9x/Me/2000 Non-Windows Computers Non-Dell Computers Macintosh Computers Cameras & Projectors Handheld PC Personal/non-NPS Email Personal Software Personal Equipment

ALL computers and network-capable equipment on Norman Public School (NPS) property - regardless of ownership - should comply with the conditions below and the district policies posted online. NPS staff are welcome to bring personal computers, peripherals, or software - but not network equipment - to school/work provided that equipment or software:

• does not require district technical support for installation, operation, or removal
• does not interfere with the operation of district equipment or services
• supports our educational mission
• remains in compliance with all district policies at all times

Computers:   Desktop, Notebook, or Handheld

1. Only DHCP: Your computer or network-capable device should be configured to request an IP address from a DHCP server. This condition applies to all cabled and wireless network interfaces (internal and external). No "static" (or preconfigured) IP addresses should be used without the prior consent of and assignment from the District Computer Center. If your computer will not be connected to the NPS network and is incapable of a wireless network connection while on NPS property, then you may disregard this condition and only this condition. If your device has a wireless interface that is removed or disabled (not merely unused) for the entire time it is on NPS property then it may be considered "incapable of a wireless network connection while on NPS property". Click here to learn how to configure DHCP settings on a Windows XP computer.

2. No Servers: A server is any software, computer, or device providing access to files, applications, network-connectivity, services, printers, etc. for other computers or devices via wired or wireless network technologies. No equipment (computer, network storage, game console etc.) should be connected to the NPS network for the purpose of sharing games or multimedia (videos, pictures, music, etc.) unless that equipment has been pre-approved for that use in our district and at that site by a well-informed NPS administrator.

3. No Shared Connections: Your computer should not provide network or Internet access (e.g., via Windows' "Internet Connection Sharing") for other computers or network devices.

4. No Infections: You should take reasonable precautions to ensure your computer does not become infected with or facilitate the spread of computer viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, or other "malware". Updated antivirus software is an example ofa a reasonable precaution.

5. District Policies: You must comply with all district policies pertaining to computers, network resources, and Internet activities while in the district - even when using personal equipment or software.

Other Equipment:   Wireless, Cabled, or Interfaced

Other than computers (discussed in the previous section), no network-capable or radio frequency emitting equipment should be brought onto NPS property without prior approval from the District Computer Center (DCC). This pertains to any equipment on NPS property which:

• connects to the NPS network - either wired or wirelessly, or
• connects to the Internet by any means other than the NPS network (e.g., using a modem), or
• emits radio frequency waves in the 2.4-2.5 Ghz or 5.1-5.9 Ghz ranges
  

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  Cordless telephones, Bluetooth devices, and microwave ovens are not (currently) prohibited. But these devices emit radio frequencies in the range of our district wireless network equipment and could negatively impact the performance of nearby wireless network devices at your site. If, in our opinion, your devices are causing network problems then you may be asked to relocate or remove them.

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• network or wireless servers (file, application, game, web, DHCP, DNS, etc.)
• network or wireless routers, switches, access points, AirPorts, bridges, or hubs
• network or wireless cameras, microphones, surveillance or security systems
• network or wireless storage devices, printers or print servers
• network or wireless scanners, projectors, or input/output devices
• network or wireless (radio-frequency) keyboards, mice, remote controls, microphones, headphones, or headsets
  

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  Infrared and Bluetooth keyboards, mice, remote controls, microphones, headphones, or headsets do not (currently) require prior approval

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Wireless Devices: Please do not bring wireless access points, wireless routers, wireless cameras, or other devices using wireless technologies in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency ranges onto NPS property without the prior consent of the DCC. It is OK to bring and use wireless computers and PDAs designed to connect - as clients - to wireless networks such as ours. It is not OK to set up your own wireless network on NPS property whether from a wireless router, wireless computer, or any other wireless device. Our district has deployed wireless networks in all permanent classroom buildings in our district. If you discover an area in your school that does not offer a wireless connection then you should inform your technology Site Contact person so they can report the problem to the DCC. As a temporary solution, please keep in mind that most of our district wireless equipment is also capable of network access via cabled connections. To help ensure compatibility and reduce the possibility of conflict with other equipment you should discuss your wireless networking needs with DCC staff prior to puchasing any wireless equipment or submitting grant proposals which include wireless equipment.

Routers (including Wireless Routers): The DCC deploys routers to properly direct the flow of data passing through the NPS network. Other routers interfere with that flow. Your network equipment might allow your computer to function fine and still interfere with other computers at your site and cause your co-workers or students files to be corrupted or lost. We have seen several instances of people bringing wireless routers or cable/DSL routers to school and causing network problems for themselves and/or their co-workers. Be considerate of others... Please do not bring any routers onto NPS property.

Network Switches: Only the small network switches available for purchase through the NPS warehouse have been DCC-tested and are approved for use on our network. They should always be connected directly to a network wall outlet (or pole outlet or floor outlet). If you have more than one network outlet available on a wall then you may plug a network switch into each of the outlets but you should not connect a network switch to another network switch (i.e., "daisy-chain" the switches). If you have any questions about network switches, their use, or their deployment then please speak with your technology Site Contact person or with the DCC. To maintain optimal network performance networking guidelines say we need to limit the number of layers of network switches any equipment must traverse to reach the core of our network. Please let the DCC know when and where you plan to deploy the small network switches so we can ensure compliance with these guidelines.

Modems: Even though they do not connect to an NPS network outlet, modems are also used to connect computers to the Internet and are therefore network-capable equipment - whether they are internal or external (i.e., inside the computer or outside). Our district is required to report the number of computers which access the Internet via a modem connection while on school property. Therefore, we need you to report modem usage to us so our reports will be accurate. If the modem is not used while on NPS property then you do not need to notify us.

Network Cabling

Network Outlets: Network cabling is not the same as telephone cabling which can often be split, spliced, and extended without causing significant problems. Installing additional network outlets in a room requires pulling new cables from the nearest network rack or cabinet. Our goal is to offer two (2) network outlets per room. When possible, we have tried to consult with local staff or administrators on the location of those outlets. We do not move network outlets. If you need additional network outlets to accomodate more equipment then you might be a good candidate for a small network switch which can be purchased from the NPS warehouse. If you require additional network outlets installed in another location in a room that already has two network outlets then you should have your technology Site Contact person or an administrator for your site submit a Technology Work Request so we can discuss the proposed installation. Either way, if a room already has two network outlets then it will likely be the site's responsibility to purchase the small network switch or to fund the installation of the additional network outlets.

Network "Patch" Cables: All new network "patch" cables purchased to connect equipment (computers, printers, etc.) to network outlets should be rated Category 5e or better (Cat 6, 6e, etc.). Cables purchased from the NPS Warehouse meet this requirement. Old Category 5 cables connecting older equipment are acceptable but should be replaced with newer, better cables when the equipment is replaced.

Just because it is working does not mean it is working well. Network signals attenuate (weaken) as they pass down the length of a cable. Excessively long patch cables can cause network-related problems for yourself - and for others - at your site. A network link can pass information and still generate network errors. Data containing (detected) errors requires retransmition - which increases network traffic - which will likely cause even more errors. Lots of errors result in lots of retransmissions, cause lots of network problems (whether you see them or not), and slow the network down for everyone. There are some circumstances where longer patch cables may be acceptable. But those circumstances depend on the state of the network behind a particular network outlet - not on your needs or desires. That is why the DCC does not support long patch cables unless we have approved them for use in specific circumstances on specific network outlets. If you have a genuine need to place equipment further than 10' from a network wall outlet then you should use a short (10' or less) patch cable to connect a small network switch to the wall outlet then use a single (one) longer network cable to connect your device to the small switch. You should not daisy-chain network cables or network switches. If, in our opinion, your equipment or cables are causing network problems then we reserve the right to disconnect them to improve network performance for other people at your site.

Network cables which cross a walkway violate fire codes and endanger the students and staff at your site. Network cables above drop-ceilings may also violate fire codes - depending on the location and materials in the cable. We don't write the fire codes or the network specifications; We don't engineer the products. But we try to ensure compliance with all the appropriate codes and guidelines to keep you and your data safe.