Skip to Content (Press Enter)

NetAccess Guide

What is NetAccess?

NetAccess is the system JCU uses to account for staff and student’s internet usage. To comply with AARNet’s access policy and the University’s code of conduct, ITR monitors internet connectivity and traffic patterns. Authentication of a connection is part of this process.

Automatic One Time Only Authentication

The majority of student, staff and teaching facilities at JCU, for both PC and MAC, use Microsoft Active Directory (AD) to register their details on the computer network. These details allow one time authentication for that user and computer. No other action is required after logging in.

Non Active Directory Authentication.

Unregistered computers will get a reduced performance internet connection.

Unregistered computers can manually authenticate to NetAccess using the link https://jet.jcu.edu.au/. Performing this step will grant a full rate internet connection. After entering your details, a pop-up will appear with your current remaining NetAccess balance .

If you are using a browser that blocks pop-ups, you may have to allow the address ‘jet.jcu.edu.au’ before the NetAccess pop-up can be displayed. If the NetAccess pop-up is blocked, your internet session will time out after 10 minutes. Instructions on how to allow pop-ups at JCU for supported web browsers can be found here.

If you close the pop-up then the (high-speed) session will timeout after 10 minutes.

Specialist Device Authentication.

Specialist computers and applications can be allocated exemption from authentication and do not require a login process. To use this process you must meet the guidelines for an official service and you must register the computer with ITR.

NetAccess Statistics

Usage of internet facilities is monitored by ITR for illegal activities or extreme over subscription. The volume of traffic for each user ID is collated for statistics on usage. Any client of the service, is bound by the University’s Policies.

Some of the relevant JCU policies and guidelines that you should be aware of include:

What internet traffic is charged?

AARNet levies charges to JCU for the amount (volume) of incoming data (e.g. Web pages, files etc.) users receive from Internet sites outside JCU (domestic and international).

A significant portion of traffic is uncharged, such as:

  • There is no charge for traffic to or from any campus servers (LearnJCU, StudentsOnline, etc).

  • JCU’s hosted Microsoft-Online mail service is not charged.

  • Transfers between the University network and the residential college networks are free.

  • There is no charge for outgoing traffic

  • During off-peak times (5pm to 9am) incoming is also free.

Note: Exception reports are generated for high incoming and outgoing traffic and these reports investigated.

Internet traffic charge rates

Internet data is free if sourced from any of the following ‘On-Net’ sites:

  • Any computer within JCU (Townsville, Cairns, Mackay etc.) including all local Web content;

  • Data from the AARNet mirror (http://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/) which is a source of free software.

  • Any sites within AARNet,

  • Any sites peered at the Queensland PIPE Internet exchange.

  • Any international sites connected to Internet2, CANet or the ARN.

Usage charge rates for all other incoming traffic, such as external web pages and FTP servers, are:

  • $2.50/GB for all ‘Off-Net’ sites.

JCU is responsible for paying these charges to AARNet.

Internet traffic Checking

Users can check the type (and therefore cost) of accessing a site using the AARNet3 Address Checker but they should be aware that most sites pull content from multiple servers and so the response may be somewhat misleading.

Checking your Download Quota

You can check the amount of data you have down loaded by logging into NetAccess via the link https://jet.jcu.edu.au/. After entering your details, a pop-up will appear with your usage.