Friday August 29 2008
Information Technology Central Services at the University of Michigan
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Previous Internet Cost Allocation Model FY02–FY06

This is an archive of the Internet Cost Allocation Model used from FY02–FY06.

This fee covers the cost of Internet utilization. Internet costs are roughly linear and are primarily a function of use. Internet traffic is measured and costs are allocated based on use. The charge is based on data that reflects actual usage measurement for a full fiscal year. Traffic is measured at router ports, that is the flow of "bits" through a router port that allows levels of usage to be determined. When multiple units share a router port, some local work may be required to sort out responsibility for the charge. Planned updates to the UMnet backbone will enable measurements by unit rather than router port but an implementation date has not been set.

Determining Unit Fees

Early in winter term, ITCom sends information to units presenting the current estimate of fees. The backbone portion of this estimate is fairly close to final numbers. Only those units with large contingents of Unix systems may see any significant change because we are not able to count those users. The Internet utilization portion is based on utilization in the previous year. ITCom provides an estimate of the number of Network Users in your unit and your utilization of the Internet and the resulting fees. ITCom works with unit IT directors to confirm our analysis and estimate. With this information the fee is calculated and assessed in winter term for the entire fiscal year.

The charge assessed each unit represents their share of the University network costs based on their share of the University's Network Users and utilization of the Internet.