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One of the key pieces of information that is required for connecting to the Campus network as efficiently as possible, aside from who is making the request and in what building and room number, is the Information OutleT (IOT) number or identifier (ID). The IOT is the connection point on the wall where a user's network device connects to the network cabling.
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Some of the names used for an IOT:
- Network faceplate
- Network jack
- Data jack
- Data port
- Phone jack
- Data plug
- Wall port
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The campus was built and remodeled in many phases, and so the IOT's have been installed with differing manufacturers and differing labeling schemes. However, every IOT will have some common elements, with the biggest variable being quantity and color. Every IOT will have at least one jack to plug something into. The most common configuration across campus is a three-port faceplate:
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IOT # : This is the primary needed piece of information. Some faceplates will only
have a number and not the "IOT" abbreviation.
Port 1: Designated for Phone (Analog or VoIP) by Ivory or White colored jack
Port 2: Designated as primary Data by Orange colored jack
Port 3: Designated as secondary Data by Green colored jack.
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When requesting network or phone activation, the more information that is included in the Service Request, the easier it is for IT to complete the Service Request in a timely manner. In the above examples, the individual jacks are also numbered, and while this information is not required in an activation request, including this information, when present, is very helpful. In the event that no IOT number is visible on the faceplate, enter as much descriptive information as possible in the Service Request. Room number, nearby IOT with ID, location of desk wanting to be served, area within room, etc., are all useful descriptions when no IOT number is present.
In some locations, there are faceplates with more options when it comes to connectivity. The following examples contains a Coax F-81 connector for Cable TV and fiber optic connections for more advanced needs.
Coax connections are for connecting to the Campus cable TV network that is similarly available in dorms. See Knowledge Base Article Television for information regarding connection to the CATV network. Fiber Optic connections are legacy high-bandwidth connection that is typically no longer used on Campus, but may be implemented by IT when necessary. This example also shows a faceplate with only a single number for the IOT identification. In this case, that number (7 in this example) would be used for any type of requested connection to this faceplate.
In the Residence Halls, the main sources for a wired data connection are the ports on the bottom of the wifi access point, usually in only one or two locations in the room or suite. There are also other faceplates, if needed, which will be similar to the faceplates in the locations around Campus, though more likely to have only one or two jacks per faceplate. The required information will be similar in type and configuration and should not be considered to be different in Residence Halls than any other portion of campus.
In a few locations, primarily classrooms and other specialty locations, the IOT may contain other types of connections, such as Audio/Video connections or other advanced network connectivity. Connections to these jacks are typically initiated internally by IT, however, if necessary can be connected via Service Request here.