SUNet is itself an internetwork, composed of many departmental networks connected by interbuilding backbone networks. Reflecting this, SUNet is administered in a decentralized way.
Departments are generally responsible for their own in-building networks.
Networking Systems operates the backbone networks and provides basic services such as naming and time. The network was originally designed to support academic computing, both central systems and those in the more technically-oriented departments. Its use is now pervasive throughout all areas of the campus, both academic and administrative. While SUNet has evolved continuously to meet the needs of its users, many areas, in particular administrative computing, have simply inherited existing facilities and methods. As Stanford moves to a new administrative systems architecture, there is a need to review the basic transport-level services provided by SUNet.