bucs / department of physics introduction to physics it support adrian hooper computing services...

BUCS / Department of Physics

Introduction toPhysics IT SupportAdrian HooperComputing Services SupporterDept. of Physics3W4.3a / [email protected]

The purpose of this session…

• To learn about IT Support available with the Department of Physics, and across the University.

• To find out a little about the systems you’ll be using.

• To ensure that you know what’s available, where and when.

• Intro to some specific tools.

BUCS / Department of Physics – Intro to Physics IT Support

Who am I?

• Adrian Hooper, the BUCS* “Computing Services Supporter” for the Department of Physics (formerly directly employed by Physics).

• A member of the “Faculty of Science and School of Management IT Team” under the BUCS “User Services” section.

• * BUCS = University of Bath Computing Services. Obviously…


And… What do I do?

• I’m responsible for all of the 300+ desktops, the 23 servers, the network, software etc. in the Dept. of Physics

• “Tier 1” support to Physics staff, Postgrads and Undergrads (and MAS, also in 3 West) + Support for Faculty Administrators.

• Have an advisory role on Department Committees, including the Department Executive, Safety Committee and others.


First the really important bits:

ALL computer use of campus is subject to the “Acceptable use Policy,” part of the University Regulations.

Please ensure that you are familiar with the terms of this policy. You have agreed to it!


http://go.bath.ac.uk/it-

aup


NEVER tell anyone your password. If you do, and it’s abused, you will be held responsible.

BUCS never need to know your password, and will never ask for it.


http://go.bath.ac.uk/it-

aup


Your files are extremely valuable – look after them!

Save, save, save, and then save again. Use network storage when possible.

It’s better to have multiple copies, than lose it before a deadline!


Getting Help


BUCS Service Desk in the Library (Level 2, West wall)

FAQs online and Problem reporting Form (Pink HELP! button)http://www.bath.ac.uk/bucs/

Or get in touch with me:

3 West 4.3aIn the Physics

Workroom!

The Computer Shop – ITP (IT purchasing)


Found next to the BUCS Service Desk, in the Library.

• For all your computing needs – USB sticks, CDs, DVDs, Ink, PCs, Laptops, Netbooks, Student Software, upgrades etc.

• It’s a ‘not for profit’ service, and has access to academic pricing for many items, so can save over high street prices. E.g. 2m network cables at 60p at the moment!


How do our systems work?

Apart from “Very well”!

A wide range of computers available:

• Windows 7 desktop PCs• Windows XP desktop PCs• Windows Terminal Servers• Sun Ray “thin clients”• Linux compute servers• UNIX (Solaris) compute servers• Linux desktop PCs (MPhys, PGs, staff)• Apple Macs (PGs and staff)• And working knowledge of other devices – smart

phones, PDAs, ipads…


Windows Desktop PCs• We are in the process of moving from

Windows XP to Windows 7 – you will see both around.

• Both use the Microsoft “Active Directory” for authentication and management.• You have a “roaming profile” so

your personal settings will follow you around.

• “My Documents” or “Documents” and the desktop are redirected to your network filestore, at h:\dos\


Sun Ray Thin Clients• Found in the Library, cyber cafes,

Physics workroom and many corridors around the campus

• These don’t have any computing power themselves – they simply connect to our central servers.

• Allow access to a web browser, webmail, Windows terminal servers, a Linux desktop and a Unix terminal


Windows Terminal Servers• Provide additional software, that we

can’t install everywhere.

• Come in three varieties:• “Terms” – with standard software• “Gigaterms” – more complex

modelling software• “Legacy terms” – for some old

software

• Can be accessed over the internet from anywhere.


Linux/UNIX desktop and compute servers• Linux servers exist to provide the

linux option on the Sun Rays, and as a linux compute resource – lcpu.bath.ac.uk• You may need to use these in

some courses.

• UNIX servers form the backbone of many of our central systems, and are also available for compute use – bucs.bath.ac.uk


Storing your files

Remember: Your files are extremely valuable – look after them!


• Use your h: drive – 1GB default quota

• It’s the “My Documents” on windows

• Backed up every night + snapshots

• Check quota in “Your Account” on BUCS web

E-mail

Our primary means of communication – so remember to check it!


• Has a separate quota to your h: drive• 10Mb maximum size• Webmail: https://webmail.bath.ac.uk• Default client on campus computers will be

Mozilla Thunderbird.• All email is virus scanned and given a spam

rating – you can enable filtering if you wish.

https://webmail.bath.ac.uk/

Printing

*** Currently undergoing changes ***


• We’re in the process of implementing a new “managed print system” across the campus.

• There are copier/printers in the Library for you to use now.

• Similar devices will follow around the rest of the campus in the next few months

• You will need to have credit on your account in order to print

Connecting your own devices


• We offer several ways for you to connect your own computing devices to the campus network:

• RESNET – the residential network, in your room

• DOCKING – the equivalent in the library and other areas around the campus

• WIRELESS – now available in many areas around the University campus (but not residences)


What is available where?

Where to find a computer?


• The Library has many PCs and Sun Rays available 24/7

• PC Labs in 1W2.25, 1E3.9, 2E1.14 and 3E3.1 – may be used if not booked for teaching

• Sun Ray clients all around the campus

• The Physics computer workroom – 3 West 4.3• And remember to say hello to me, in the corner!

The Physics computer workroom


• 3 West 4.3 – up the stairs from the Physics Square

• Open approx. 08:30 to 17:00 weekdays

• 20 Sun Rays• 3 Windows XP PCs• Wireless network• IT Support in the corner• And we hope soon to

have a printer here!

Physics Teaching Laboratories


• 19 Windows XP PC in the level 3 labs• Some are getting old –

they’ll be dealt with when Win7 is available.

• 20 PCs in the MPhys lab• Dedicated hardware and

software for experiments• Wireless and docking

available• Printer for results – will be

replaced at some point.

Accessing Bath resources from off-campus


• You can use the terminal servers from your accommodation or from anywhere online – using the microsoft “Remote Desktop Connection”

• You can create a secure link from an off-campus (which includes wireless!) computer using our VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• And you can then map our network drives to Windows.

• Or, you can connect to them directly using SCP• And for those using the Linux/Unix servers, SSH

access is also available from offsite.• And most web based services will be accessible.

Physics Research Computing Facilities


State of the art… 23 years ago… we’ve moved on a bit since then…

Physics Research Computing Facilities



And now it’s your turn to do some work…

Check “Your Account” – from the homepage go to “Computing Services” then “Your Account”


Moodle – http://moodle.bath.ac.uk


Person Finder – http://www.bath.ac.uk/contact/


Use it to find: Adrian Hooper, Gary Mathlin, Alison Walker and

your Tutor


And finally

Worth knowing:

• Editing files sent as email attachments• To save the pain of losing it, Save and then

Edit it!• BT Openzone – available over wireless on

campus, for parents/visitors with Openzone accounts. (Included in BT internet packages)

• Using USB sticks in Sun Rays – it’s possible on the Windows options, but use is a little bit odd. Be very sure that you’ve saved things elsewhere as well!


Don’t forget

• The “Acceptable Use Policy”

• Your files are vital – save, save, save!

• If you need help, please ask. We’re here to help.

• Take regular breaks when using computers

• Treat the computers with respect, and report problems/accidents to us.


Don’t forget

• And above all – please enjoy your time here!

• Thank you for your time and patience.

• Now… Any questions?


• And now, to get a bit of information about your knowledge, please complete the survey at:

• http://www.survey.bath.ac.uk/pyit2010

bucs / department of physics introduction to physics it support adrian hooper computing services...

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