I probably misspoke in saying each user donates spare capacity.
The role of a Skype "supernode" is to serve as the directory and router for
other users, in lieu of Skype operating their own centrally managed servers.
Any Skype user ("node") can become a supernode given the right conditions which
are supposed to include spare processor and connection capacity and a routable
public IP address. That didn't apply to us, but I still saw outrageous
bandwidth consumption that correlated with the presence of Skype.
I guess I can't explain why Skype was so bandwidth-hungry for us, but removing
it and banning its re-installation resolved the problem. I suppose that - like
anything else - if you are considering using it you might want to do thorough
testing before committing to its adoption.
Dave Salovesh
Information Technology Manager
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
-----Original Message-----
From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
Thomas Deliduka
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 2:43 PM
To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] do you Skype?
I'm a little confused. Why would Skype need to run down someone's pipe only to
jump back out again in a way of utilizing bandwidth for other calls? That seems
quite inefficient to take a detour in routing of a telephone call.
Thomas Deliduka
Director of Information Technology
Columbus Museum of Art
480 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
ph 614/629-0345 fax 614/629-0950
thomas.deliduka at cmaohio.org
?
ART SPEAKS. JOIN THE CONVERSATION
-----Original Message-----
From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
David Salovesh
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 11:51 AM
To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] do you Skype?
Ad-hoc Skype is explicitly banned here. It may return someday as an
organizational initiative, but we're still trying to figure out what the
benefit would be for us. (We have sponsored phone service and have virtually
no international communication requirements, so our economics may not be
typical.)
It wasn't always this way - I allowed it for a while. I originally had to ban
it because we were short on bandwidth, and some folks couldn't resist using it
in ways that completely overwhelmed our connection. That led to a temporary
suspension of Skype use pending system analysis, improvements, and re-analysis.
After we upgraded our connection I discovered the more troubling property of
Skype traffic that led to the current outright ban:
As I understand it, Skype can exist as a "free" service because each user
donates spare bandwidth to carrying calls for other users. For home or
home-like use that's probably okay since the bandwidth Skype sees as idle is
probably actually so. In an enterprise or enterprise-like setting, the
individual Skype clients don't do as good a job at measuring excess capacity.
My previous service was SDSL at 1.5 mbps, and with 45 people in the office our
utilization was over 95% at all times. My second site users were essentially
unable to work, and even main site users were losing patience. After the
upgrade to 10 mbps (metro-Ethernet), my typical utilization went to 20%
(peaking at 90%, but only occasionally and briefly - as it should be) and my
remote users were very satisfied. But after installing Skype, even with no
active calls and the software sitting "idle", my utilization went back up to
90%.
I searched for workarounds or ways to manage its bandwidth consumption, but
it's not really designed for managed operation - or may even be designed to
work AROUND management. It definitely is designed to work around firewall
restrictions, so my technological means to block the traffic were somewhat
limited.
On the bright side, this sequence of events raised the consequences of
installing software without approval from "it'll piss off the IT department" to
"you could get fired for it". ;-)
Dave Salovesh
Information Technology Manager
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
-----Original Message-----
From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
Dowden, Robin
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:31 PM
To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
Subject: [MCN-L] do you Skype?
Do you allow Skype in your institution? I've been arguing for its legitimacy as
a business tool but our IT department is concerned about misuse and security
issues. I'm interested in hearing how/if others are using it, policies, tales
of compromised networks as a result of peer-to-peer apps, any relevant or
related info you're willing to share.
Robin Dowden
Director, New Media Initiatives
Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
USA
T: 612.375.7541
F: 612.375.7575
walkerart.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmission (including any accompanying
attachments) is confidential, is intended only for the individual or entity
named above, and may contain privileged, work product, proprietary and/or
confidential information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
If you are not the intended recipient or otherwise believe you have received
this message in error, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying,
distribution, use of or reliance upon any of the information contained in this
transmission is strictly prohibited. Any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure
shall not compromise or waive the confidentiality of this transmission or any
applicable attorney-client privilege.
If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify us
at mail1 at walkerart.org and delete this transmission from your computer.
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer
Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
The MCN-L archives can be found at:
http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer
Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
The MCN-L archives can be found at:
http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer
Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
The MCN-L archives can be found at:
http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/
