Firewall help?

Hey guys
I just arrived at university and had at first no problems with accessing app's like steam, bf2 and msn messenger. These could all connect properly. bf2 (battlefield 2) and steam now can no longer connect, where as msn messengers web cam funtion no longer.. functions.
I belive the uni has put up some new firewall which inhibits these things.
Also, my friends tell me there p2p apps no longer work (limewire i think he called it) - i dont know what those do/are, so dont worry about that.
Some random people talked about using things called http-tunnelers, but warned me my uni may get mad at me for using that. also, i have no idea what they are or how to use them
sorry for the essay! (i hope this is in the right thread!)
thanks

 

Yep, most uni's do block a lot of ports. Finding ways around them can cause revoking your privledges to their network.

 

hmmm should i speak to the techy guys at the uni? can any one gimme some ammo to throw at them so i dont drown in tech speak?

 

Check the University's AUP to see if it supports the use of gaming and file sharing applications on their network. If it doesn't, then you most likely won't be able to use those kinds of applications on their network. If that's the case, then your only options are to either a) use a dial-up, b) live with it, or c) use a tunneller, in which case you're going to lose your use privileges if you are caught.

If the AUP does let you use this applications, then call their tech support and tell them you can't make connections with your applications, and ask for their assistance. I suspect, however, that your university does NOT allow the use of network games and file sharing apps...

 

ok i will do that - whats AUP?
and i dont need to use any p2p stuff

 

AUP = Acceptable Use Policy. Just about every college/university will have an AUP that describes what students, staff, and faculty can do on their network. If you're going to do something that gobbles bandwidth (or they think might be a violation of DMCA) then you might want to make sure you don't do it on their network. A buddy of mine was kicked out of Pepperdine U some years ago for doing something like that...

 

ok thanks - this uni has a huge bandwidth - surlky they wont mind cs at 3 in the morn? XD