Valparaiso University
Electronic Information Services
Guidelines on Unsupported Hardware and Software

DRAFT
December 16, 1997


EIS identifies certain hardware and software, and certain applications of
that hardware and software, as "supported" (see EIS Policy # xxx).  The
purpose of that identification is to promote understanding of EIS support
capabilities and commitments.

The following are regarded by EIS as unsupported:
1)  Unsupported software on unsupported hardware;
2)  Supported software on unsupported hardware;
3)  Unsupported software on supported hardware;
4)  Supported software on supported hardware, if unsupported
    hardware or software has also been installed; or
5)  Any combination of hardware and software used in an unsupported
    manner.

There is no intent of restricting the University to use of only those
resources that EIS supports.  However, procurement and use of unsupported
resources, or of supported resources in unsupported ways, creates certain
obligations for the department or individual (faculty, staff, or student)
doing so.

1)  Procurement, installation, maintenance, and servicing (and the costs
thereof) of unsupported resources are the responsibility of the individual
regardless of whether EIS would assume those responsibilities for
supported resources of the same type.

2)  If and as requested, and as time and expertise permit, EIS will
evaluate requested resources for supportability (in whole or in part). 
In such circumstances, EIS may suggest modifications to the request
that might enhance compatibility or interoperability, without assuming
any support responsibility for the resources (whether or not the
suggestions are followed). 

3)  University-owned computing equipment (any equipment that would be
inventoried and tagged by the University), regardless of support status,
needs to be registered with EIS, since EIS maintains the University's
computing equipment inventory records. 

4)  Anyone wishing to connect unsupported resources to the VU Network is
expected to obtain EIS approval in advance of making a connection or using
a supported connection in unsupported ways.  In the event unsupported
resources cause network problems, EIS reserves the right to terminate the
network connection without notice, pending identification and resolution
of the cause of those problems. 

5)  Upon request and as time permits, EIS will offer consultative service
for unsupported resources within its limits of expertise.  Service
requests for supported resources will take precedence.

6)  In the case of supported software running on supported hardware, when
unsupported hardware or software has also been installed, EIS may request
that the unsupported items be completely deinstalled before service is
rendered.  The reason for this is that unsupported items may conflict with
a supported configuration and the problems may be due to that conflict.