Table of Contents
Faculty & Staff Guide to
Network & Academic Computing Services
Fall 2007
On July 1, 2009, NACS became part of the consolidated unit, the Office of Information Technology. This document relates to Network & Academic Computing Services (NACS) in 2007.
About NACS
Network and Academic Computing Services (NACS) offers computing, network, telephone, and 800Mhz radio services in support of research, administration, and instruction. NACS provides central computing services, computer laboratories, departmental support services, and campus-wide technical coordination. This document briefly describes NACS resources available to faculty, staff, students, and other UCI affiliates.
NACS’s Response Center serves as a starting point for obtaining information and service from NACS. Help is available around the clock, with greater expertise on hand during normal business hours. The Response Center is available for telephone, email, and drop-in assistance at our Multipurpose Science & Technology Building (MSTB) Engineering Gateway offices. Software, documentation, and other physical resources that NACS distributes are also available at the Response Center, and the staff there can direct you to any other NACS staff member or service.
The Response Center is located in 242 Multipurpose Science & Technology Building (MSTB) E2130 Engineering Gateway and is staffed M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm for walk-in help. You may also reach the Response Center at (949) 824-2222, or send email to nacs@uci.edu . Please visit the NACS web site,
http://www.nacs.uci.edu/Instructional Support
The Electronic Educational Environment web site, known as EEE, is a course management system specifically designed for UCI faculty and students to use in teaching and learning. The system is built and maintained by NACS, in consultation with faculty and our EEE partner organizations.
The EEE web site offers a variety of tools to enhance learning and manage course administration. These are easy-to-use, customizable, and are available to every instructor and authorized teaching assistant. Class email lists, web sites, electronic gradebooks, evaluations, and more are available at http://eee.uci.edu/.
Working in partnership with University Extension, NACS provides an on-line learning environment for UCI's Distance Learning Center. Using the Moodle course management system, UCI is able to provide distance education to a growing number of extension students. Discover more about e-learning at http://learn.uci.edu/.
Computer Labs
NACS maintains computer labs for campus use in Engineering Gateway, the Multipurpose Science and Technology Building (MSTB), the Humanities Instructional Building (HIB), Gateway Study Center (GSC), the Instructional Technology Center (ITC), the Student Center (SC), and the Cross-Cultural Center (CCC). There is also a lab in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, as well as a Training Lab in the Anteater Instructional and Research Building (AIRB). These labs comprise over 300 stations in support of instruction. NACS also maintains an online guide to labs supported by individual schools and departments: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/labs/ . NACS offers a pay-for-printing service, PayPrint, in all NACS and many school labs.
In addition, NACS maintains the computers in all 100+ Smart Classrooms and Lecture Halls on campus. Smart Classrooms are equipped with a variety of technology in support of instruction, controlled from a simple and consistent console. For details on Smart Classrooms, please visit http://www.classrooms.uci.edu/smartclassrooms.html .
Research Support
System and Network Administration
NACS system and network administrators support Windows, Mac OS-X, Unix, or Linux computers and labs used for research or instruction. You may set up a contract for system administration, security patch maintenance, and operating system updates.
Software
Faculty, staff, and students have access to a library of site-licensed and open source software at no charge (visit http://www.nacs.uci.edu/computing/ and look under the category “Support by Operating System (OS)”). NACS also works with vendors and with UCOP to secure discount software licensing for important mathematical, graphical, and statistical packages. Over the 2007-2008 year, NACS will be offering network installation of several licensed research applications. See http://licenses.nacs.uci.edu/ for details.
Backups
NACS provides a backup service for departmental and workgroup servers and systems. Intended for catastrophic recovery, i.e., from a failed hard drive, it includes a limited ability to recover individual files lost through accident or error.
Research Computing and Networking
Research use of computers and networks often requires exceptional resources and expertise. NACS research computing specialists are available to consult with faculty on integrating computing into their research, making use of high-end research software applications, writing grant applications with significant computing requirements, or developing research software.
NACS also has two network planners who are available to consult with faculty whose research needs include particularly demanding network requirements.
Services currently under development include a general purpose, high-performance, low-cost file storage "brick", expanding the scope of campus computing through deployment of a system-wide computing grid (“UC-Grid”), and hosting an annual “Computing in Research” conference.
High Performance Computing
NACS has available for distribution a number of service units on the San Diego Supercomputer Center’s (SDSC) high-performance computer systems. In collaboration with the Department of Earth System Science, NACS provides research access to ESMF, an 88-CPU IBM supercomputer system here at UCI. In cooperation with Calit2, NACS supports the HiPerWall, a 200-megapixel display.
NACS supports cluster computing in several ways. System administrators can manage your cluster, allowing you to concentrate on your research. NACS also offers the Medium Performance Computing (MPC) cluster for campus use. “Co-location” (housing) services for other research computer systems are also available. To help faculty make effective use of clusters, ESMF, and the SDSC systems, NACS offers assistance with parallel-programming techniques.
Voice and Data Services
UCI offers network, telephone, and radio services to the campus community. NACS develops, operates, and manages the campus network (UCInet) and Internet access. NACS also provides the campus telephone service, voicemail, and the 800 MHz radio service.
Request for Service
NACS’s voice and data services include consulting and needs assessment, planning and solution development, cost estimation, installation, repair, reconfiguration, and relocation. To make requests for service, please see our online service request form at http://www.nacs.uci.edu/service-request/ .
UCInet
UCI enjoys a Ten Gigabit Ethernet ("10GE" or 10 Gb/second) backbone core. Anticipating campus researchers' growing demand for network capacity, it was designed to move billions of bits of data through the backbone each second, and is upgradeable to offer yet more bandwidth in the future. Most connections from the backbone core to campus buildings have been upgraded to Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gb/second) over the last two years, with some upgrades still pending.
UCI employs a variety of high-speed links to external networks, including the Internet2 network, Abilene, through the California regional network known as CalREN, which is operated by the Corporation for Network Initiatives in California (CENIC). CalREN provides UCI network users excellent connectivity to all UC-system campuses, and very good to excellent connectivity to over 135 other major universities connected to Abilene nationwide. Additionally, the main CalREN feed is backed up by a redundant Gigabit Ethernet connection to help ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
UCInet Mobile Access Network
An extension of the campus network, UCInet Mobile Access supports portable computer network connections in many locations around the UCI campus. Traditionally, using UCInet required a specific network address, valid only in a single location. UCInet Mobile Access enables faculty, staff, and students to use the campus network from many convenient locations without requiring complex reconfiguration of laptops as they move from place to place, as it supports DHCP.
UCInet Mobile Access serves both wired -- e.g., for instructors using portable computers in the Classroom LAN -- and wireless connectivity. To take advantage of this service, it is necessary to register your computer’s network card (“MAC address”) using your UCInetID and password. You can find a map of wireless coverage and registration instructions at http://www.nacs.uci.edu/mobile/ .
Guest Access
UCI faculty and staff may sponsor access to UCInet for guests of the University. You will need the MAC address of every guest computer you wish to sponsor. You may sponsor up to 25 guests, and specify the period of time (1 day, one week, or four weeks) to grant access. Visit http://www.nacs.uci.edu/mobile/registration.html, click on “Register to use Mobile Access,” login with your UCInetID and password, then click on “Add Guest Registrations.”
Remote Access to UCInet
The preferred method for gaining access to UCI’s network from off campus is via commercial Internet Service Providers (ISPs). A number of companies provide high-speed Internet access using DSL and cable modem technologies.
If you require off-campus access to restricted network information, such as journals and databases licensed by the UCI Libraries, you will need authenticated network access using your UCInetID. The recommended means for accessing Web-based scholarly resources is the WebVPN (http://www.nacs.uci.edu/security/vpn/webvpn.html). To access UCI-restricted systems which are not Web-based, you can install a small program to connect to the campus VPN server (http://www.nacs.uci.edu/security/vpn.html). Finally, NACS offers the “lifeline” modem service (http://www.nacs.uci.edu/network/modem/), which provides authenticated dialup access at no charge, but sessions are subject to connect-time limits.
Network Planning and Consulting
NACS provides network-planning services at a variety of levels. NACS continually examines usage of UCInet, with the goal of providing high-quality support for on-campus and off-campus data traffic, as well as projecting and planning for development to meet future needs.
NACS consultants work with every building project, renovation, and department move to evaluate, plan, and prepare for the associated network needs. NACS then works with UCI construction staff and contractors to manage network development projects.
Layered Network Services
NACS provides campus-wide services such as the “@uci.edu” electronic mail processing systems that detect and remove viruses, reject or tag unwanted email (spam) and route email messages to your mailbox, and the Domain Name service (DNS) that translates a human-recognizable name such as "www.nacs.uci.edu" to the corresponding network address. NACS maintains a large central identity management system (UCInetIDs – see http://www.nacs.uci.edu/ucinetid/ ) that provides authentication and directory services to campus-wide applications.
Network Security
NACS offers computer and network security support through a variety of channels. Our Unix system administrators keep Unix/Linux network applications updated with the latest security patches. NACS provides network security services as part of maintaining the backbone network and electronic mail distribution systems. We also coordinate campus-wide anti-virus software licensing.
Our IT Security team offers security-related services and manages key systems which fortify UCInet against off-campus attacks. Campus defenses include the Intrusion Detection System (which detects and blocks many kinds of attacks), the VPN and WebVPN (which allows, through a login, off-campus access to UCI-only network resources), and the Campus Firewall (which prevents unauthorized access to UCInet from the Internet.
Departments can request local firewalls, automated scans for known vulnerabilities, or a review of their overall network security strength. "Server registration" allows owners to identify specific types of off-campus access they wish to authorize. Finally, NACS sponsors the campus electronic security coordinator group, who oversee UCI security matters.
Telephone Services
Campus telephone services include local and long-distance dialing, and a variety of features such as group pick-up, call diversion, and voicemail.
NACS telephone support services include campus telephone directories, phone service planning and consulting, campus directory assistance, portable conference units, calling cards, and training on phone and voicemail services. NACS continues to evaluate and implement new telecommunications technologies. For example, NACS provides Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone service in new buildings and other locations.
New voicemail services will be offered over the course of the 2007-2008 year as a result of a voicemail system upgrade. You can learn more from the NACS web site, which has information describing telephone and voicemail services, a service order form and price list, telephone and voicemail instructional guides, UCI’s electronic telephone directory, and tools for maintaining your telephone directory listing or to request a printed directory.
Cellular Telephones
Several cellular telephone companies offer discounts to UCI employees. You can have your cell phone usage billed to the UCI PAL card or recharged against a campus account/fund number. NACS also reviews cellular coverage on campus and works with vendors and UCI administration to improve local cell service (we are always interested in hearing your feedback about campus cell reception). Current information on vendors, coverage, and plans can be found online. You can find more information at http://www.nacs.uci.edu/telephone/ .
ZotAlert
As part of UCI’s overall emergency notification services, NACS offers faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to register an emergency cell phone number. In the event of a campus emergency, officials will send information and updates via SMS text messages to registered phones. You can find more information at http://www.nacs.uci.edu/announce/zotalert.html
Radio Services
NACS coordinates two-way radio services and manages UCI’s 800Mhz radio system. The radio system allows two-way mobile communications for UCI staff for routine and emergency communications.
Enterprise Services
Electronic Mail
NACS offers electronic mail to all faculty, staff, and students at UCI, including electronic mail directory and delivery services. NACS also offers some services to alumni, retirees, emeritus faculty, and sponsored guests. Distribution lists (“Mailman” mailing lists) facilitate electronic discussions and announcements. (Zotmail distributions on campus are coordinated through Distribution and Document Management.) NACS also offers the Student Electronic Broadcasting Service (SEBS) for sending approved large-volume electronic messages to students.
NACS provides computer accounts for faculty and staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students at no cost to individual users. Electronic mail access is available through electronic mail applications (Thunderbird, Eudora, Outlook), and through your web browser with Webmail (http://webmail.uci.edu).
Calendaring
NACS maintains the campus electronic calendaring system, Oracle Calendar Service (formerly called CorporateTime – see http://www.nacs.uci.edu/calendar/ ). Accounts are available to faculty and staff whose departments elect to join the campus calendaring service. Oracle Calendar enables users to manage their personal appointment books, as well as easily coordinating meetings and resources with other Oracle Calendar users throughout UCI. Please consult with your School Computing Coordinator or NACS if you are interested in this service.
Web-based File Sharing
Webfiles (http://webfiles.uci.edu/) is a service for UCI faculty, staff, and graduate students which provides a 1Gb permanent file storage area. Webfiles space can be accessed through the web, or from a folder on your Windows or Mac desktop.
You may also share your files easily with UCI and non-UCI collaborators in a controlled manner. Documents and other data within Webfiles can be private, or shared with other individuals or groups on a read-only or read-write basis. Webfiles offers version control, check-in/check-out, and locking. One of the principal uses expected for this service is as an alternative to large email attachments. In addition, Webfiles enables users to publish web pages.
Academic Personnel
Under the direction of UCI’s office of Academic Personnel, NACS has developed tools for recruitment and review of academic appointments. See https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/ for more information.
Training
NACS facilitates information technology training for UCI. NACS brings in companies to provide training in Microsoft Office applications and specialized topics such as Windows system administration and popular research software. NACS staff provide workshops and seminars on other technical topics and on specified NACS services. Workshop dates and times are available at http://eee.uci.edu/workshops/ . NACS maintains a “training lab” in AIRB comprising 16 Microsoft Windows workstations. NACS also provides training for campus telephone and voicemail systems.
Departmental Support
NACS provides campus-wide coordination and support of department and school level computing staff. Computing Support Coordinators (CSCs) are in-house personnel responsible for supporting and/or coordinating end-user computing in their departments or schools. The School (or Unit) Computing Coordinator (SCC) is the person identified by unit management as being the overall lead with regard to matters of unit computing and network support.. NACS conducts regular meetings of CSCs and SCCs, sponsors key electronic mailing lists, and provides central repositories of information on the web to assist CSCs and SCCs. NACS works with CSCs to identify key technical areas of concern to the campus and supports UCI-wide teams evaluating solutions and products. Finally, Administrative Computing Services and NACS sponsor a forum for campus Web developers.
