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Hatfield Marine Science Center

HMSC Computer Support Services

Information:




OSU Computing Staff at HMSC :


Contact: email - hmscCS@oregonstate.edu
  • Phone 541-867-0396
  • Office hours: 8-5(6) M-F
  • Emergency after hours support: 541-270-6996 (Dann)

Dann Cutter - Network Analyst II
    At HMSC since 1996, as the CS team lead and campus DCA, Dann handles all networking, access, IT administrative & security, purchasing, project assignment and special project evaluations.

Shawn Brateng - Information Technology Consultant I
    Since 2002 as our desktop support guru, Shawn handles the desktop and appplications support issues, new machine installations, various special projects, and keycard security for HMSC.


Infrastructure*:


Network:
    Internatlly, HMSC runs a core group of Nine gigabit-capable building switches connected by fiber to a gigabit Master switch. We provide data service to approximately 250 computers, 50 network devices. As well, HMSC provides full access to the OSU Wireless system in most group areas and the Guin library, as well as providing a public network access for Housing Guests. Externally, HMSC maintains a 100Gb Internet II capable connection over 75 miles to the OSU main campus via fiber.

Servers:
    HMSC maintains over 10 Terabytes of central storage for system users. As well, seperate servers are hosted which provide: Web, SQL, FTP and remote access, Media streaming, a new Grid computing cluster (as of summer 2009), Application services, research email, and various exhibit and project related servers, as well as three administrative servers providing scheduling, backup, and system monitoring. All systems are housed in a generator redundant powered area for maximum uptime and are monitored 24/7.

Labs:
    The Guin Library contains HMSC's main student lab with over 17 dualBoot Mac/WindowXP machines, five availible for general patron use, the remainder reserved for OSU Studnets and Faculty. We also have a mobile lap cart with 15 dual boot laptops for instruction. In addition, a Multimedia Computing Lab is located next to the HMSC Computer Services office providing GIS, Media and Graphics software, Statistics software, AutoCAD, and other advanced processing packages including access to our GRID cluster. B/W Printing in Guin is free, and color is availible to students in both Grad lofts and lagre format in the MCL. As well, we have three interactive classrooms, and two conference rooms with new interactve whiteboard displays. Finally, we have a state of the art theater system for hi-definition presentations.

Distance:
    HMSC maintains three distance education systems for use in conferencing, as well as a number of personal systems. Two Polycom viewstationFX systems are available for small groups capable of running full duplex at 2Mbs, and for teaching we have a new Tandberg Educator system fully integrated into our distance classroom capable of running multiple streams at 8Mbs.

* refers to OSU's systems at HMSC. Many other Agencies reside here with their own internal network, systems, staff and outside connections.

Service and Order Requests:


New or Departing Staff must checkin/out PERSONALLY with HMSC Computer Services to ensure data retention and account access.



Fees and Costs:


HMSC Computer Services must fully recover the costs of providing service. As such, the HMSC IT Committee reviews a budget yearly, as has asigned a fee schedule based on that cost recovery. HMSC administration provides 10% of budgetary support for administrative purposes as well.

  • The IT Fees are FTE based on an agreed formula, and run approximatedly $2000/FTE per year at HMSC. This breaks down for Account access, Desktop support, and Network access.
  • Users and groups are NOT limited to the number of machines they can use under this system, so labs can have supported as much research computing as they need.
  • Outside Groups are charged fees based on service recovery, which is based on request made during scheduling with the Director's Office.
  • The OSU FeeBook is the final authority on these fees: OSU FeeBook Please make sure to select 'Centers, Institutes and Programs' and 'hatfield Marine Science Center'.
  • For questions regarding any fee, please call Computer Services at 541-867-0396 and speak with Dann.


Printing and Posters:


HMSC Computer Services and various groups offer a number of printers around the center. Printing is almost exclusivly done by IP, not a server, so direct communication with the printer is established. As such, it is the users responsibility to ensure that if they have an errored job, they clear the printer. Contact HMSC CS for printer installation.

    Poster printing is also offered, and has some specific requirements and charges.
  • Posters must be sent to hmscCS@oregonstate.edu two work days before required. Do not count weekends, so if you need a poster Monday, it needs to be here Thursday. Asking us ahead of time, and then getting it to us at the last minute does not count. For technical reasons some posters can literally take hours to print - it may be beyond our scope to rush a print job.
  • All posters will be printed on BOND paper. Glossy is available for an additonal fee of $4/sq ft.
  • Fees on posters are $4/sq ft ($8 glossy). Index MUST be subbmitted at time of printing, and funds must be accessible for 90 days.
  • For free student printing, we will ask however that no background colors are used, and that pictures do not make up the majority of the poster. We reserve the right to make changes if necessary to conserve ink.
  • Paper sizes are 24", 36" and 42" . They can be any length. All files should be sent as powerpoint or pdf.
  • We will ONLY print a poster once, for any reason. Proofread for errors ahead of time. We cannot guarantee fonts will be the same, so if it looks correct, we will print it, regardless if it isn't what you thought you sent us.


Hardware and Software Requirements:


Requirements:
    ALL PURCHASES OF HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH COMPUTER SERVICES!!!
  • Macs: All machines should be capable of running Mac OS 10.5. We will discontinue support for Non-Intel based Macs Dec 31st, 2010.
  • PCs: Must be able to run Windows XP with 1Gb of Ram. Must be a DELL computer unless you are bringing it from previous project. CRTs will be replaced with LCDs asap.
  • Printers: No inkjet printers are support.
  • Handhelds: installation support only. iPhone support is availible (as we both have one).
  • Exhibit or research: PLEASE include us in initial specifications! This will greatly help us support the machine.

Purchasing:
    ALL PURCHASES OF HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH COMPUTER SERVICES!!! (it is worth repeating!)
  • Macs: We buy minimum 24" iMacs or MacBook Pros currently. All machines will be required to buy AppleCare.
  • PCs: We generally buy a Dell preconfigured machine whcih greatly exceeds most users needs for most uses. For more advanced needs or research
  • Printers: No inkjet printers are support.
  • Handhelds: installation support only.
  • Exhibit or research: PLEASE include us in initial specifications! This will greatly help us support the machine.

Supported Software:
    We will make every effort to install and configure ANY software you need. This just lists the software which we are trained to support.
  • Macs: OS 10.4-6, iWorks, iLife, Office 2004 and 2008, Filemaker Pro, Endnote X, Adobe Creative Suite (including Acrobat), Fetch, Graphic Converter, BBedit.
  • PCs: XP and Windows 7 (we do NOT support Vista and only will install Windows 7 now), Office 2003, 2007 and 2010 (fall 2010), Adobe Creative Suite (including Acrobat), Firefox, Banner, Datawarehouse, MS Publisher.
  • Though we might not be able to answer questions, we offer limited support for all group licensed software from: Cosine Software distribution.
  • PLEASE - ORDER YOUR SOFTWARE THROUGH US!!! Seriously, if you don't and we have problems on your machine, it will likely get deleted or not reloaded.
  • All Microsoft office and Apple office and iWorks software is provided FREE as well as Acrobat Pro for CS fee customers. All other software may encure a charge.


FAQ about Computer Support at HMSC:


  • What are your hours again?
    Dann works 0730 to 1600 and Shawn works 0900 to 1800. We try and stagger lunches, but frequently we are out 1300 to 1330. However, we are open 8 to 5, but if we are in the office we are glad to assist.
  • I stopped by your office but you weren't there?
    Our jobs frequently necessitate we are elsewhere fixing something - call us on our cellphones or send us an email and we'll get to you asap. Cell numbers are posted on our door.
  • What about weekend and evenings?
    We will gladly assist an offhours project, though it may incure a staffing charge to cover staff time. As well, Dann frequently needs to make changes to systems outside of common work hours. Announcements are generally sent, but off hours work is common. Though he will try to asst with other matters at those times, he will likely be busy with the off hours project.
  • Do you do special projects?
    YES - both staff are glad to assist on special projects, and have very affordable rates and schedules. In the past such projects have included exhibit consultation and design, database design, research equipment setup, and workshop staffing.