SEASnet Department Support Services (EA network)

SEASnet provides computing support at no charge for those staff fully funded on either 19900 and 19935 funds (based on departmental 19900/19935 FTE). In addition, SEASnet will provide computing support at no charge for a limited number of machines for student or part-time employees depending upon the departmental FTE. These machines will be configured with limited access by the user. Computing support consists of those free services mentioned previously plus the following:

1. Initial setup of one computer with pre-approved hardware configuration as provided by SEASnet. Machines not running SEASnet's approved hardware configuration and needing SEASnet support services will be charged a fee for setup of the machine and additional services as needed or a monthly support fee. Setup of machine also includes the following software packages:
   • Operating systems - Windows XP Professional
   • Networking software - samba for shared drives
   • Business productivity software - Microsoft Office
   • Email client - Eudora (instructions for removing email off the server are available here) SEASnet will be moving all users to the Thunderbird email client
   • Backup software - NovaNet
   • Anti-virus software - Sophos
   • Terminal emulation software - Power Term Interconnect 32 (for interface with skipper) and Hummingbird's TN3270 (for AIS interface) SEASnet will be moving all users to the PuTTY ssh client
   • Web browsers - Internet Explorer and Firefox
   • FTP client - WS-FTP SEASnet will be moving all users to a secure FTP client - TBD
   • PDF/Post script file readers - Adobe Acrobat Reader and GS View
   • Utilities and add-ins - QDB add-ins for Excel
2. Backups of work related data saved on the PC, including email (data storage retention policy is available here ).
   • Machines must be left on for backups to take place. You may turn off your monitor, but your computer must remain up and on the network.
   • Monthly email will be sent to the owner of each computer notifying the user of the status of their data backups (mail is generally sent out the 9th of the month). Users will also be notified if there is no full backup made within the last 35 days or if their machine has missed backups five days in a row. This notice will be sent out each Wednesday. It is the responsibility of the user to work with SEASnet to ensure backups are being completed successfully.
   • SEASnet will not backup any personal data. Users should understand how to save their data properly so personal files are not inadvertantly backed up.
   There will be a fee associated with restoring data from a crashed drive if the user has opted out of backups.
3. Software requests in addition to any software listed above will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. SEASnet staff will determine if the installation is feasible and will notify the department if there will be a recharge for the software.
4. General machine maintenance, including but not limited to, security patches/updates, machine cleanup, disk maintenance, etc.
5. SEASnet will do our best to assist users with their choice of printers; whether they are personal or network printers. SEASnet can only maintain network print queues for printers that are compatible with HP JetAdmin software. If you are unsure what type of printer to purchase and/or what type of support you will require please contact any of our help desk staff for assistance.
6. Laptop machines will only be supported under special conditions. If you are interested in having your laptop supported, please contact the Help Desk along with answers to the following questions:
   • Will this machine be your primary machine? If not, how will this machine be utilitized?
   • Which of your staff will be allowed to use this machine?
7. SEASnet can configure your machine to allow you to connect to it from home as if you are logging in here in the office. However, this creates additional security issues you and your supervisor should be aware of. To ensure the security of your data, SEASnet is requiring that all requests for use of a supported machine's remote desktop function be made by your department head. SEASnet requires you to do the following:
   • ALWAYS use the VPN software when connecting to your PC remotely.
   • Make sure your account has a password that is difficult to crack. SEASnet has posted instructions for creating strong passwords.
   Your machine must also be modified with
   • User policy to lockout any account after several failed login attempts.
   • Firewall installed and operational.
8. SEASnet does not support home machines. However, we do understand that many of you use your home machine for work purposes and may occassionally need our assistance. If this is the case, you can submit an MSR and bring your machine in for staff to work on. Your department account will be charged for our labor at our currently approved campus rate. You must backup any important data on your machine prior to bringing it in. Requests for work on home machines must be coordinated with the Help Desk.