Skype is a voice-over-IP service, providing telephone-like service via
the Internet. It is also promoted as supporting large file transfers and
may offer other bandwidth-intensive services in the future. Optional
paid service offerings support calls to and from the public switched
telephone network.
Use of Skype had been prohibited on the UCSB network since it violated the UC Electronics Communications Policy (ECP) by requiring a contractual grant of campus network bandwidth beyond that allowed for
incidental personal use. Recent updates to Skype have
addressed this issue and enabled us to allow use of Skype at UCSB.
As of July 1, 2009, use of Skype is now permitted on the UCSB network,
so long as use is consistent with university and departmental policy.
On Microsoft Windows, we request that version 3.8 or higher be used, and
configured with supernode disabled (see Configuring Skype below).
Failure to disable supernode functions may result in network activity
beyond the incidental personal use provisions of the Electronic
Communications Policy, and supernode traffic may significantly degrade
computer performance.
Use of Skype on all other platforms, including Mac OS-X and Linux, is allowed.
However, when Skype releases a version that supports disabling
supernode functions on these platforms, we request that users install that version and disable supernode
functions. Skype states that bringing all platforms up to the same level of
functionality as Windows is a goal, but they do not have a time frame
for any releases.
Note that this discussion applies only to Skype; other
VoIP products such as Wengo or Gizmo have been and continue to be
allowed so long as their use is consistent with campus and departmental
policies.
Configuring Skype
If you'd like to use Skype on a Windows computer, first download and install Skype. After Skype is successfully installed, download the configuration update and open the file.
Double click the skype.reg file.
When prompted to merge the Skype changes into your system, click Yes.
When complete, click O.K
When complete, reboot the computer and supernode functionality will be disabled.
NOTE: If Skype is reinstalled in the future, this configuration update
should be reapplied.
Summary
- Use of Skype is allowed on the campus network, so long as use is
consistent with university and departmental policy.
- On Microsoft Windows, we request that users install version 3.8 or higher
and disable supernode functions. This avoids potential computer performance degradation and Electronic
Communications Policy issues.
- When Skype releases a version on other platforms that
supports disabling of supernode functions, we request that users install it
and disable supernode functions.
- Use of other VoIP products remains allowed so long as use is
consistent with university and departmental policy.
- Skype cannot provide your location information to emergency services like 911. Anyone electing to use VoIP service should consider retaining access to a landline or a mobile telephone, either of which can provide location information to emergency services.
- The content of this page is for informational purposes only, and does not imply an endorsement of this company, its products, or its services by the University of California.
KPS
