First of all, running any server or abusing bandwidth are both violations of the Optimum Online Terms of Service (TOS). OOL is within their rights to terminate their agreement with you if you are caught running a server or abusing bandwidth.
While running any type of server is a violation of the TOS from a strict legal standpoint, the reality of it seems to be that it's the bandwidth usage (mainly the amount you upload) that OOL is most concerned about. If you keep the bandwidth usage "normal", OOL will most likely not have a problem with your server. That is just my opinion and is not OOL corporate policy.
In addition, if you are trading copyrighted materials over your OOL connection, OOL could terminate you for a TOS violation and could be under legal obligation to identify you to appropriate authorities in court-order situations.
Optimum Online Service is provided to subscribing households for non-commercial use. Running a server for commercial purposes is a violation of the TOS and can lead to your agreement being terminated.
If you do decide you want to run a server, at your own risk, I would suggest that you keep an eye on your bandwidth usage (again, mainly the upload usage).
Some of the more popular types of servers include, but are not limited to, Web/HTTP servers, FTP servers, SMTP mail servers, P2P file sharing programs, etc.
The most common server used is probably P2P file sharing (such as "Kazaa"). If you use P2P software, use it wisely.
Many of today's server programs allow you to set bandwidth limits. When you find the program's option to limit the bandwidth, I'd suggest setting the maximum upload speed to somewhere in the 16-18KBytes/sec (128-144kbps) range. Please make sure that if the program asks for the number in KBytes/sec, you enter it in KBytes/sec and if it asks for it in kbps, you enter it in kbps. You could easily wind up allowing 8 times more bandwidth then you intended for if you do it wrong. For a bits vs. bytes "tutorial", click here.
Depending on the type of server, I'd also suggest not running your server 24/7. If you are not at the computer actively using the server, perhaps you'd want to shut it down.
In some cases, OOL has capped the upload speed to 150kbps for people they feel are abusing the system. You can call technical support to have the cap removed. It's unknown how many times OOL will uncap you, should you get capped multiple times.
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by Lex Luthor 
last modified: 2003-10-18 12:10:59 |
