Following the text of the message is a timeline of events leading to the decision to implement an outbound Napster traffic filter. Despite aggressive increases in bandwidth, Vanderbilt's connection to the Internet continually approaches maximum capacity. To allow teaching, learning and research to continue without hindrance, measures need to be taken to alleviate this problem. Napster, a popular program used to exchange audio files, generates an unusually large portion of the traffic leaving Vanderbilt. Napster is a program used to share MP3 audio files.
Users log in, search for desired music, and download it to their computers.
Most Napster users are unaware, however, that even with the Napster window closed, the computer becomes a server of these downloaded files to the entire world. Vanderbilt has a high speed Internet connection, making our computers very attractive sites to download from. Napster users, worldwide, line up to download from our machines. This global demand for files on Napster servers on Vanderbilt's network generates nearly half of the university's outbound Internet traffic. While many artists release promotional MP3 files, many of these files are being exchanged over the Internet in violation of copyright laws.