INSTAAR Computing

Overview :: Basic Support :: ECI Facility

Although it is the responsibility of the PI to provide adequate day-to-day computing resources for their students and staff, the INSTAAR Systems/Network Administrator provides supplementary resources and assistance to all INSTAAR’s for the following basic support issues:

Ethernet connections
Printing
Backup
Software
Installations – upgrades
Troubleshooting

Main contact: Chad Stoffel, Systems/Network Administrator; Phone: 5-5216; email: chad.stoffel@colorado.edu; Room 277, RL-3

Ethernet connections
For any INSTAAR computer that needs to be connected to the web, please contact Chad Stoffel to arrange Ethernet connection. You need to have a compatible Ethernet card installed in your computer and an active “B-Jack” in the office where the computer is to be located. Activation of B-Jacks and their continued activation generally requires charges be made to a grant number. Consult your PI about how these costs should be covered. The network cables (Patch and Cross-over) are available through Chad in “made to order” lengths.

Printing
For those who have access to their own computers, networked printers are located throughout the 2 buildings, and access to them is on a need-by-need basis. Chad has been able to compile a list over the past few months of the main networked printers, and has made identification labels for each individual printer. The most difficult task for him is to try to set up a printer that he has no information for (e.g. IP Address, Original Drivers/Installation Disks, etc.). But so far he has been successful in setting up every printer that has become an issue.
It is IMPORTANT to note that networked printers are, at this time, still under the control of each individual research group, and access to them can be limited to those groups. Also the upkeep of the printers is the responsibility of each group, and we should not be taking supplies from other people. Paper, for example, should not be taken from the Front Office and placed in the SIL printers. And toner is not free, so replacing them has to come from someone’s account. At some point down the road, we may have all networked printers fall under the System Administrator’s responsibilities, but that would not happen for a while as we assess the needs of the researchers.

Backup
Although is the responsibility of each individual to make regular and reliable backups, the Systems Administrator is available for consultation. Moreover, we have a portable CD-RW drive for PC’s, which can be used to backup important data onto ‘cheap’ CD-RW disks (about $1.50 per disk). These disks can hold up to 650-700MB of data, and are very versatile. Right now we don’t have a centralized distribution for the disks themselves, it is up to the individual to obtain the disks before getting the external drive from Chad. The drive runs off of a Parallel cable, so your computer must have a parallel port on the back of it. We may in the future, get a USB drive that would be compatible between PC’s and Mac’s.

Software
INSTAAR UNIX software
Those with accounts on Mysticplum (Solaris 8 OS) have access to StarOffice as well as basic GIS and programming applications such as the ARC package, Rivertools, IDL, and MatLab.

State contract and CU site licensed software
State contract and CU site licensed software is available at prices well below retail and often below standard educational discounts. A license is needed for each computer on which the particular software will be used.
This program is most particularly economical for certain Microsoft products. Other products include IDL, ENVI, Mathematica, SAS, and SPSS. For more information and availability, please consult CU ITS Third Party Site License Website: http://www.colorado.edu/ITS/TPSiteLic/

Educational discounted software
Many software applications are available at discounted rates for educational customers. For example, the INSTAAR Systems Administrator occasionally places an order through the bulk educational discount program for Adobe products. In addition, discounts are available every day from a number of vendors.

Virus Software
CU is now offering free anitvirus software for both office and home use. To download the software please go to this website and follow the directions listed.
It is CRITICAL in this day and age to have some sort of virus protection software, and not only having it installed but also having the latest virus definitions, as well as performing weekly scans of the hard drive(s).

Installations – upgrades
Chad is available for any and all hardware and software installations you may encounter during the year. Sometimes it is best to contact him prior to making any purchase as he will oftentimes have suggestions and/or alternatives for your particular situation. He has built computers from the “ground up,” so he has a good understanding of the ins and outs of hardware compatibility and limitations. As far as software, many times he will have license programs set up for drastic discounts off the MSRP.

Troubleshooting hardware and software
Troubleshooting software and hardware conflicts can be a long and tedious process, but Chad is available to help in figuring out what the problem is, it just might take a few weeks. So if you are noticing problems, let Chad know, and he will run some tests to try and figure out where the problem lies. You can also take your computer to PC Maintenance located in the Stadium (Gate 6, phone: 2-8001).