Fiscal Year Planning July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011

Prepared for Oakland University

Prepared by: University Technology Services

Revised November 2011

PURPOSE

This document outlines the desktop computer,laptop computer and mobile device support that University Technology Services (UTS) provides for Oakland University faculty and staff. Due to rapid advancements in technology development, diverse needs of University departments, and decreasing State funding, UTS must focus support initiatives on those technologies used by multiple units across campus. We recognize that requirements within individual units may demand the implementation or use of technologies not specifically contained within the scope of this document. UTS will work with departments to help develop needs assessments, purchasing guidelines, and support plans whenever possible.

As a general rule, departments are responsible for support when implementing technology components outside the scope of this document, unless support arrangements have been prearranged with UTS.

Appropriate use guidelines for technical resources can be found on the University Technology Services homepage (www.oakland.edu/uts/policies) or click here to download #890 Use of University Information Technology Resources

SUPPORTED COMPONENTS AND DEVICES

Below are the supported configurations for hardware, peripheral devices and software.

• These are the minimum system requirements supported by UTS.

• Only components purchased by or formally donated to Oakland University are eligible for support. Visit the Policies and Procedures website at http://www2.oakland.edu/audit/ or click here to download Gifts, Pledges and Grants Policy #500.

• Desktop and laptop equipment older than 5 years should be replaced with newer equipment. Older computers represent both operational and security risks.
• All University owned PCs need to be joined to the ADMNET domain.
• UTS will not service or repair personally owned equipment.
• The helpdesk offers limited support for computers with local accounts.

Hardware

The standards listed below are the minimum specifications needed for support of Oakland University computers. They pertain to both laptops and desktops. For recommendations on purchasing new equipment, be sure look over the Suggested Purchasing/Replacement Guidelines section.

• Minimum PC Requirements

  • Pentium 4 compatible CPU or equivalent

  • 1 Gigabyte (GB) RAM required for SunGard Banner use

  • 1 Gigabyte (GB) RAM is required for non- SunGard Banner use

  • 2 Gigabytes (GB) RAM is required for running virtual machines
  • 40 GB Total Hard drive space
  • CD-R
  • 10/100 RJ45 Ethernet

  • 802.11b/g wireless network card (optional)
    
    

• Minimum Mac Requirements * G4 or higher compatible Processor; iMacs included

  • 1 Gigabyte (GB) RAM required for SunGard Banner use

  • 1 Gigabyte (GB) RAM for non- SunGard Banner use

  • 2 Gigabytes (GB) RAM is required for running virtual machines
  • 40 GB Total Hard drive space
  • CD-R
  • 10/100 RJ45 Ethernet

  • 802.11b/g wireless network card (optional)

Network Cards

• Integrated and non-integrated network cards that ship with UTS Helpdesk- approved desktop hardware are supported. A desktop computer should only have one network card. If a computer is shipped with two network cards, only one may be activated.
• Add-on or “aftermarket” network cards are not certified for use with the Oakland University network. These cards will not be supported without prior approval.
• Current Oakland University data networks only support speeds of 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps. Network cards should not be set to negotiate speeds higher than 100 Mbps.
• Network cards must be configured to use DHCP or the static IP address assigned by the UTS Helpdesk.
• The MAC address of a network card must remain unchanged from the factory-installed address.
• Wireless network cards are to be configured in client-only mode and not to be used as bridges, base stations, access points, or as an ad hoc network.
• The Oakland University firewall rules will not allow for wireless NIC cards on the network for printing. The exception is for the goprint server.
• Network attached desktop computers, laptop computers and printers must be configured to support the TCP/IP protocols. Any other protocol must be disabled.

• Refer to the Network policy document on the University Technology Services homepage (www.oakland.edu/uts, click on Policies and Guidelines) or click here to download #850 Network Policy

Peripherals

• Monitors should support 1024 x 768 resolution. A 17” flat panel monitor is highly recommended.
• USB is the preferred connection interface for peripheral devices.
• Scanners - It is recommended that you contact the UTS Helpdesk for assistance in gathering requirements prior to purchasing printing devices to ensure adequate support capabilities.
• Backup Devices - CD-RW, DVD-RW, USB Drive
• Printers – (Ex. HP, Ricoh, Epson, etc.)
  • Inkjet printers
  • Laser printers (PCL, PS compatible)

  • Network capable printers
    
    

• Printer standards depend heavily upon the printing required. As a general rule, if the printer becomes slow, begins to degrade in print quality, or is increasingly having printer jams or other repeated service issues, it is time to consider replacement. 
  
  

• Departments should consider the purchase of networked printers rather than individual local desktop printers. External Jet Direct boxes that are used to make a non-networked printer networked are not supported. These Jet Direct boxes are difficult to maintain and set up and function unreliably. Printer share boxes (A-B boxes) are not supported. External print server devices are also not supported.
  
  

• It is important to plan replacement of older printer models when they serve a critical job function or when a back-up printer is unavailable. Printers that do not have updated drivers for the supported operating systems outlined in this document will not be supported.
  
  

• It is recommended that you contact the UTS Helpdesk for assistance in gathering requirements prior to purchasing printing devices to ensure adequate support capabilities.

University-owned i-Pads, Smart Phones, Laptops and Tablets

University Technology Services will assist with ordering apps and software, and with network connectivity.

Personally-owned Smart Phones, PDA Devices, Laptops and Tablets

University Technology Services receives many requests for support of smart phones, PDA devices, laptops and tablets. Samples of these devices include Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and Palm. These devices are generally personally-owned, even if a stipend is provided by the University for usage.

Since these are personally-owned devices, University Technology Services can only provide limited support. UTS support is limited to assisting with synchronization connections for email and calendar and general network connectivity. UTS staff may, at their discretion, assist with set-up, trouble-shooting and connection issues.

UTS cannot provide support in the personal evaluation, selection or purchase of a device, computer, smart phone, PDA or laptop. Please note that UTS does not have budget funds that allow the purchase of device samples, so support is limited to "best effort" with no guarantee of advance training, knowledge or success. Manufacturers change these devices much too frequently for the UTS staff to keep up-to-date with the latest and greatest device and its related instructions. In most cases, contacting the vendor or service provider may provide the best and most prompt level of service.

If one desires to purchase and synchronize these devices with his or her Oakland University email and calendaring programs, or use the device on the Oakland University network, it is necessary to ensure compatibility with Oakland University's systems before the device is purchased. 

Your first decision in a purchase is whether you want Internet-enabled access real-time, or point-in-time synchronized access with your desktop. If you want Internet-enabled access, you must purchase a data plan.

Please note that OU does not have a Blackberry Enterprise Server or a Microsoft Exchange Server. Connecting a device through software which requires a desktop PC to be continually powered on and logged in is not acceptable. Server settings necessary to synchronize your device are maintained at http://www.oakland.edu/uts click on Faculty and Staff Services, Electronic Mail on the left menu. Instructions for synchronization are found under HELP after logging in to webmail athttps://webmail.oakland.edu 

UTS staff will make a good faith effort to assist faculty and staff members in getting these devices to synchronize with the university's systems. This effort typically includes 60 minutes of staff time, but may take significantly longer. Our resources are limited, however, and it may be necessary for the owner of the device to contact his or her service provider in order to resolve any ongoing issues. 

Please note the university data definitions in Policy #860 Information Security. Although these are personally-owned devices, the data on them which originates on Oakland University's systems remains the property of Oakland University. Owners of these devices need to take precautions to ensure that any personal or sensitive information is secure and to clear the device of any and all information before disposing of them.

Software

Below is a list of site-licensed software supported by UTS. It is important to note that, with the exception of University wide software agreements, license management initiatives are the responsibility of individual, units, and departments. Valid licenses must be produced for each computer, if requested, or the software will be removed. Please review University policy for software: Policy 870 - Software Regulations. You may click on the policy title or visithttp://www2.oakland.edu/audit/POLCY870.HTM

Encryption software is available either paid or free software. The use of encryption requires key management and must be managed by the individual or by the department. Encryption key management is not the responsibility of University Technology Services. For additional information see the UTS website Mobile Security.

Oakland University licenses software in some areas for specific use by university employees. Employees are encouraged to review all guidelines posted on the UTS Policies and Guidelines page. All software licenses are procured using standard university procurement and purchasing policies. See the UTS website (http://www.oakland.edu/uts/software) for additional information or click here Campus Software.

Operating Systems

• Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate 32 bit and 64 bit (32 bit ONLY for customers who need to use Banner Access reporting)
• Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate 32 bit and 64 bit (32 bit ONLY for customers who need to use Banner Access reporting)
• Windows XP Professional SP3 (32 bit ONLY)
• Mac OS X Lion
• Mac OS X Snow Leopard
• Linux (Limited support available, please contact the UTS Helpdesk prior to purchase/setup to clarify support availability)

Desktop Suites

• Office 2010 
  Office 2007 
  Office 2011 for Macintosh 
  Office 2008 for Macintosh

Anti-Virus Tools

• Symantec Endpoint Protection

Browsers It is important to note that some websites or Internet applications will use technologies not supported by certain browsers and may require the use of a specific browser/version.

• Internet Explorer 9.0
• Mozilla Firefox 4.0
• Safari 5.0.5 (Macintosh default browser)

Banner Operating System and Browsers Supported

• Windows XP Professional SP3: Internet Explorer 8.0, Firefox 3.6; Java 1.6.0_24
• Windows Vista Enterprise SP1: Internet Explorer 8.0, Firefox 3.6; Java 1.6.0_24
• Windows 7 SP1: Internet Explorer 8.0, Firefox 3.6; Java 1.6.0_24
• MAC OS X (10.6 or higher): Safari 5.05 (note: 10.6 Update 4 includes Java 1.6.0_24 and 10.5 Update 8 includes 1.5.0_28)

Email Clients The following list of email clients are supported for sending/receiving email:

• Webmail Powered by Google
• Microsoft Outlook (Email Client Only)
• Macintosh OS X Mail Client

Enterprise Systems

• SunGard HE Banner

• Scantron
• Intellicheck

• TouchNet

• Portal
• Moodle
• Go Print

• FormFusion

• SAIL

Calendaring/Scheduling Tools

• Gmail Calendar

Backups

• Current backup recommendations are at:

https://kb.oakland.edu/uts/How_Do_I_Backup_My_Desktop_Files_And_Work_E_Mail

Other Software:

• Microsoft Expressions
• Fugu (Macs)
• CoreFTP LE 2 .2
• Acrobat Reader 10.0
• 7Zip (Windows)
• Visual Basic
• WinSCP
• Putty

• QuickTime

APPENDIX

Discontinued Software Support Matrix

• Retirement Date – On this date the product will no longer be purchased and supported by UTS Helpdesk and staff. Any current installation will continue to operate, but will not be supported by the UTS Helpdesk or staff.
• End of Life – This date indicates that the product will no longer be purchased, installed, upgraded, or supported by UTS Helpdesk and staff. If an individual/unit/department wants to maintain this product they will be responsible for purchasing, installing, upgrading, and supporting the product.

Research and Development

Suggested Purchasing/Replacement Guidelines

The UTS Helpdesk suggests purchasing computers at the high end of available processing speed and memory choices. Computers should not be purchased configured at or close to the minimum requirements (this reduces the usable life-cycle of the computer).