This money helps pay for many things besides the access hub or switch that supports the given jack. It helps to pay for the devices and maintenance on those devices that make up the entire network. The network consists of a lot of common equipment that no one sees or really knows about. We have been looking for further funding sources. What about routers.
Routers work on a different level than hubs, switches or bridges.
They must participate in the routing scheme used by SMSU and must obtain IP addresses from Networking for local segments or from outside entities for wide area links off of campus. They needed guaranteed access to OCLC without being subjected to the congestion of the Internet itself. OCLC required that SMSU purchase a router specifically for this purpose. The library owns and operates the router with consultation from Networking. We do not approve the use of routers for local campus networks.