Skype usage
This document is based mainly on the Skype Policies formulated by Warwick Business School (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/wbs/central/issu/policies/skype/).
- IT Services offers no support in the use of Skype.
What is Skype?
Skype is a free telephony application that uses peer-to-peer network protocols to allow users to make free internet-based telephone calls to other Skype users. Although University policy prohibits all peer-to-peer software, Skype is allowable from ResNet and via wireless connections, but not in the PC rooms used for teaching.
How does it work?
Skype uses proprietary protocols that prevent a detailed understanding of how the software works. In general, however, calls made using the system are routed through other computers with Skype installed whenever this provides a clearer path than connecting directly from one client to the other.
Reasons for concern
If these intermediary computers are connected to a fast Internet feed, such as here in St Andrews, there is a high risk that the computer will become a 'Supernode' that starts to route large amounts of Internet traffic (that is, a lot of other people's conversations, not just your own). This could have service implications not only for the local computer but the wider St Andrews network. Additionally, due to the closed nature of the Skype protocols, there are concerns as to the security and privacy implications of the use of Skype. These concerns have led a number of large American universities to prohibit the use of Skype (see for example http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060924-7814.html 
).
Our national academic Internet service provider JANET gives the following clarification of the use of Skype across their networks:
"Section 11 of the Policy prohibits 'provid[ing] access to JANET for third parties without the prior agreement of JANET (UK)', but permits a limited amount of such use provided this is regulated by the customer organisation. Uncontrolled use of Skype, and particularly its bandwidth-hungry super-node behaviour, is likely to breach one or both of these sections."
http://www.ja.net/documents/development/voip/skype-and-janet.pdf
- Skype have addressed some of the common concerns in their University support section.
Restrictions on the use of Skype at St Andrews
Notwithstanding the above issues, IT Services recognises the potential benefits of Skype and therefore allows Skype to be installed on machines connected to the University network, provided the following conditions are met:
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Skype must be set to not load automatically on start up. You can disable automatic starting by unchecking the box labelled "Start Skype when computer starts" on the Skype login dialogue.
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Skype is running only whilst the user is at the computer to receive or make calls.
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If the JANET Acceptable Use Policy or the University of St Andrews IT Services usage policies subsequently change to explicitly prohibit Skype then the user must remove the software immediately at our request.
- Skype must not be installed on any machines in the PC rooms used for teaching.
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If a computer on which Skype is installed uses an excessive amount of bandwidth, it is at risk of being blocked from the University network without warning.
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IT Services, the University and JANET can offer no guarantees on quality of service for Skype network traffic.
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By installing the software, users are agreeing to the terms of the End-User Licence Agreement (EULA) for Skype. In particular they are aware that Article 4.1 allows Skype to utilise the local computer’s processor and bandwidth to facilitate communication between Skype users.
- IT Services offers no support in the use of Skype.
