PC Notes

The department supports PCs as client machines which have limited access to the unix system and are fairly interchangeable. Each machine has locally installed copies of networking and "productivity" software. The users' file are mounted as an NT share from the samba server, and no data files should be saved to local drives.

The PC's are currently of three categories:

Dell Optiplex GXi, GX1, and GX150+ Desktops
Various Dell Laptops

Of these, the GX desktop machines can be re-built quickly using Ghost images on CD-ROM. There is at least one for each set. The laptops are generally not backed up by a Ghost image, and are susceptible to complete re-installs. Laptops do not have a standardized application set, though they should have the same networking software as the desktops.

When purchasing new PC hardware, the tendency in the college is to get a "business class" machine from either Dell or Gateway. Both companies have good support and academic pricing. The business class machines are preferred over home class, since they are made in longer runs with standard parts and tend to be better tested. This makes support much easier. Dell's business lines are Optiplex and Latitude. Gateway's business lines include the E and S series.

Because Microsoft's priority is for "ease-of-use" over security, Microsoft Outlook should be removed and banned from use on departmental PCs. Current virus programs should always be available, and steps should be taken to block incoming PC viruses on the mail server.

Early PC's in the department all have Windows 95 on them. Later machines have Windows 2000. A few of the laptops which came from grants and special programs have Windows 98. The College office, CLASNET, supports Win95 and WinNT/2000, but not Win98..

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Last modified: Fri May 17 13:44:03 EDT 2002